Brazil, a country renowned for its vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and economic opportunity, attracts millions of visitors and prospective residents each year. Whether you plan a short trip for tourism or seek a longer stay for work or study, understanding how to get a Brazil visa is the first essential step. The process is managed through Brazilian Consulates and the online e-consular system.
Step 1: Determine Your Visa Requirement and Type 🇧🇷
Not all travelers need a visa for Brazil. Citizens of many countries enjoy visa-free entry for short stays (up to 90 days). However, travelers from countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia typically require a visa, often an electronic visa (eVisa), for tourism or business.
For all other nationalities, your required visa type depends on your purpose and duration of stay:
| Visa Type | Purpose of Stay | Maximum Initial Stay |
| VIVIS (Visitor Visa) | Tourism, business meetings, transit, family visits, unpaid athletic/artistic events, research, short-term study (under 90 days). | Up to 90 days (multiple entries possible) |
| VITEM (Temporary Visa) | Stays longer than 90 days for specific purposes: I. Research, Teaching; IV. Student; V. Paid Work; XI. Family Reunification; XIV. Retirement/Digital Nomad. | Varies by category (typically 1–2 years initially, with possibility of extension/conversion to residency) |
Step 2: Prepare Your Essential Documentation
Regardless of the visa type, a novice applicant must meticulously gather and prepare the following core documents. Always check the specific Consulate’s website for your jurisdiction, as requirements can vary.
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Passport: Must be valid for the entire period of your intended stay and have at least two blank pages. Provide a clear copy of the passport’s data page.
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Application Form Receipt (RER): The signed receipt generated after completing the online application (see Step 3).
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Photograph: One recent passport-style photo (typically 3x4cm or 5x5cm) taken against a white background. Ensure your face is centered, and you have a neutral expression.
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Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements (stamped by the bank for the last 3 months) or pay stubs proving you can support yourself during your stay.
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Proof of Travel: A round-trip ticket or detailed flight itinerary.
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Accommodation Proof: Hotel reservations, or a notarized invitation letter from your host in Brazil if staying with friends/family.
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Specific Documents: If applying for a temporary visa (VITEM), you will need specialized documents, such as a Letter of Acceptance from a university (VITEM IV – Student) or prior work authorization from Brazilian authorities (VITEM V – Paid Work).
Step 3: Complete the Online Application (e-consular)
The Brazilian government uses a centralized system to manage applications, though the exact submission process may vary by location.
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Start Online: Visit the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) website for the electronic application or the designated VFS Global portal for eVisas (if applicable to your nationality).
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Fill and Submit: Fill out the application form online, upload your documents and photo, and select “Complete Application.” You will receive an application number and the Visa Receipt of Request Submission (RER).
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Print and Sign: Print the RER, sign it by hand in the designated box, and physically affix your photo to it (do not staple).
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Register on e-consular: Log in to the official e-consular platform for the Consulate in your country of residence. This is where you will upload the required documents again for verification and schedule your appointment.
Outbound Link: To begin your official application, search “Formulário de Pedido de Visto” (Visa Request Form) on the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Step 4: Schedule and Attend Your Appointment
Once your documents are verified and approved on the e-consular system, you will be instructed to schedule an appointment or mail in your documents, depending on the Consulate’s procedure.
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Appointment/Submission: Submit the signed RER and all original supporting documents to the Brazilian Consulate or Visa Application Centre (VAC).
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Pay the Fee: Pay the required visa application fee. Fees are based on reciprocity, meaning they may vary based on your nationality. You will receive a confirmation of delivery.
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Collection: The Consulate will inform you when your passport, now containing your visa stamp (for consular visas), is ready for collection. Standard processing time can take up to 10 business days after submission.
Outbound Link: Locate your nearest Brazilian diplomatic mission and check their specific submission guidelines: Search “Brazilian Consulates abroad” on the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
The Benefit of a Brazilian Passport (MERCOSUR Citizenship)
Acquiring Brazilian citizenship and a Brazilian Passport offers significant advantages beyond the borders of Brazil, primarily through the MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) economic and political bloc.
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Free Movement and Residence: The most valuable benefit is the Right to Residence and Employment throughout the MERCOSUR member states (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia, with associated states like Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). Brazilian citizens can live, work, and study in these countries with simplified immigration procedures, often requiring only a national identity document instead of a visa or passport for travel within the bloc.
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Regional Power: The MERCOSUR Passport provides access to job markets, social security, and educational integration across some of the largest economies in South America.
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Visa-Free Travel: Beyond MERCOSUR, the Brazilian passport ranks highly in global mobility, offering visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to a large number of countries worldwide.
The process of obtaining a visa to visit or reside in Brazil is the first step toward experiencing all that this dynamic country, and the wider MERCOSUR region, has to offer.Best places to travel: 70 best places you should visit for vacations
