Have you been dreaming of lounging on a beach in Copacabana or eating your fill at an authentic churrascaria? If so, we have good news for you – as of January 25, getting a visa to visit Brazil just got easier for U.S. citizens.
U.S. citizens applying for a tourist visa to Brazil now have a couple of options – you can obtain an e-visa or a regular 10-year visa. Here’s what you need to know about the changes to Brazil’s visa requirements and the new e-visa program.
Who can get a Brazilian e-visa?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia can apply for a Brazilian e-visa online. Citizens of other countries still have to apply for their Brazilian visa in person at the nearest Brazilian consulate.
How does the e-visa differ from the regular visa?
When applying for a visa to Brazil, you now have the option to apply for an e-visa or the regular visa. Here are the differences between the two visas:
Brazil E-Visa
- Only available to citizens of the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Australia
- Takes 7-10 business days to process
- Allows for a maximum stay of 90 days per year
- Valid for two years
- Does not require an in-person appointment – application can be completed online
- Each visa costs $45 consulate fee – the fee can be paid online with a credit or debit card. If you choose to get your e-visa through an agency, the total fees will be $117.
Regular Brazil Visa
- Available to citizens of most countries
- Takes 10-15 business days to process
- Allows for a maximum stay of 180 days per year
- Valid for ten years
- Requires an in-person appointment. No appointment is necessary if the application is submitted through a visa agency.
- Each visa costs $160, plus an additional fee if a visa agency is used.
Which visa should you get?
Choosing the right visa depends on your long-term travel plans to Brazil. If your upcoming trip to Brazil is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, then the e-visa is the right choice for you. However, if you have plans to visit the country frequently for tourism or business over the next ten years, the regular visa will suit your needs better. A visa that offers a longer maximum stay and has a longer expiration date will prevent you from having to renew your visa every couple of years.
How do you apply for a Brazilian visa?
If you decide to apply for the e-visa, your application can be completed entirely online. You can either complete the application yourself on the VFS Global site, or let the experts at Swift Passport handle the application for you. If you decide to use Swift, you can submit the application form, required documents, and payment on our website (select the e-visa option). After successful receipt of your application, you will receive your visa within 7-10 business days.
If you choose to apply for the 10-year Brazilian visa, you can apply in-person at a local consulate, bringing the required documents to your appointment. If you want to skip the lines at the consulate, the team at Swift can arrange your tourist or business visa for you. Simply complete the form on our website, and send the required documents to our office. Upon receipt, you can expect to receive your visa in 10-15 days, depending on your jurisdiction.
Whether you’re applying for a normal visa or e-visa to Brazil, the team at Swift is here to help. If you have any questions about the changes to Brazil visa requirements, contact us today!
