US citizens need a visa to visit Brazil, and for tourism, business, and other short trips the visa is an electronic one called the eVisa. Brazil reinstated the requirement on April 10, 2025 on the basis of diplomatic reciprocity.1U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil. Message to U.S. Citizens: New Visitor Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Brazil You apply online at brazil.vfsevisa.com, pay a non-refundable $80.90 fee, wait up to 10 business days, and print the approval before you fly. Airlines will not board you without the printed eVisa.2[Official] Brazil Evisa. How to Apply
What Trips the eVisa Covers
The eVisa is Brazil’s Visitor Visa (VIVIS). It covers tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, contract signings, audits, artistic or sports activities, health treatment, short-term study, volunteer work, and journalistic coverage, among other short-term purposes.3Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Types of Visa It applies to every US citizen entering Brazil by air, sea, or land, no matter how short the visit.
One exception. If you have a layover in Brazil and stay inside the international transit area without clearing immigration, you do not need a visa. The moment you leave that area, the requirement applies.3Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Types of Visa
Documents You Need to Upload
The whole application is online. You will need:
- A clear color scan or photo of your US passport bio page. Your passport only needs to be valid on the date you enter Brazil; Brazil does not require the six months of remaining validity that many countries do.4U.S. Department of State. Brazil International Travel Information
- A recent passport-style photo with a white background, face clearly visible, no glasses, shadows, or head coverings.
- A travel itinerary with confirmed round-trip flights and proof of accommodation in Brazil.
The consular post reviewing your file may ask for proof of sufficient funds, though this is not required from every applicant at the outset.
Applying for a Child Under 18
Every minor needs their own eVisa and their own paperwork. On top of the standard passport copy and photo, upload:
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate.
- A parental authorization letter signed by both parents, notarized and dated, with the notary stamp clearly visible.
- A color copy of each parent’s passport bio and signature pages, or an official photo ID such as a driver’s license.5[Official] Brazil Evisa. Documents Needed
Both parents must sign the authorization even if only one is traveling. If a parent is unavailable, you will likely need a court order or other legal documentation explaining why, which stretches the timeline. Start this early.
Fee and How to Submit
Complete the application on brazil.vfsevisa.com. The form asks for personal information, passport details, and your travel plans. If a required document does not have a dedicated upload field, use the “Additional Documents” section. Pay the $80.90 fee by credit or debit card during submission. It is non-refundable.6Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Electronic Visitor Visa (e-Visa) – U.S., Canadian and Australian Citizens
How Long Processing Takes
Consular posts take up to 10 business days to review a completed application.7[Official] Brazil Evisa. Frequently Asked Questions The portal recommends applying at least a month before departure to leave room for delays or document requests.5[Official] Brazil Evisa. Documents Needed Approved eVisas are emailed to you.
If your application is denied, there is no formal appeal. You can reapply after 24 hours or apply for a traditional consular visa at a Brazilian consulate. A denial does not affect other family members who applied separately and were approved.7[Official] Brazil Evisa. Frequently Asked Questions
Print the eVisa Before You Fly
Brazil requires you to carry a printed copy of the approved eVisa. According to the official portal, if you cannot present it at the airport, you will not be permitted to board.2[Official] Brazil Evisa. How to Apply Keep a copy on your phone as backup, but the paper printout is the requirement. Print it at home.
How Long the Visa Lasts and How Long You Can Stay
The eVisa is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued and allows multiple entries during that period.8U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil. Message for U.S. Citizens: Postponement of Brazilian Visa Requirement to 2025 Each single visit cannot exceed 90 days, and total time in Brazil cannot exceed 180 days in any 12-month period.9Ministério das Relações Exteriores. E-visa
You can request an extension from the Brazilian Federal Police while inside the country. Extensions are granted at the discretion of immigration authorities and the 180-day annual cap still applies.9Ministério das Relações Exteriores. E-visa Apply before your 90 days run out, not after.
What Happens If You Overstay
Under Brazil’s Migration Law, overstaying carries a daily fine of R$100 (roughly $18) for each day past your authorized stay, capped at R$10,000 (roughly $1,800). When you leave, immigration officials will tell you the amount, how to pay, and when you may return. A first overstay typically brings a one-year re-entry ban. Repeat violations can lead to deportation and a permanent ban.
When the eVisa Is Not the Right Visa
The eVisa does not cover paid work in Brazil, long-term study beyond 90 days, family reunification, retirement, or remote work under the digital nomad category. Those require a Temporary Visa (VITEM) applied for through a Brazilian consulate with physical documents and, in some cases, an in-person appointment.3Ministério das Relações Exteriores. Types of Visa VITEM applications cannot be converted from an eVisa after you are already in Brazil, so if you know your trip will involve work or a stay past 90 days, start that process well in advance.