For years, Americans could visit Brazil without a visa. That changed in April 2025, when Brazil reinstated its visa requirement based on the principle of reciprocity — since the United States requires Brazilian citizens to obtain visas, Brazil decided to apply the same rule in return. The result is a new electronic visa (e-Visa) system designed to be as painless as possible.
What Type of Visa Do You Need?
For tourism, the correct visa is the Visitor Visa (VIVIS), now issued as an e-Visa. It covers:
- Tourism and recreational activities
- Family visits
- Attending conferences or events
- Short-term volunteer work
- Business meetings (no paid work for Brazilian companies)
What it does NOT allow: receiving payment from Brazilian sources, working for a Brazilian employer, or establishing residency. If any of those apply to your trip, you'll need a different visa category (covered at the end of this guide).
Tourist e-Visa: Key Facts at a Glance
- Fee: USD $80.90 (non-refundable)
- Validity: 10 years from date of issue
- Entries: Multiple
- Maximum stay per visit: 90 days
- Can be extended: Yes, once — for another 90 days, up to 180 days total within a 12-month period
- Application: 100% online, no consulate visit required
- Processing time: A few business days (apply at least 1–2 weeks before travel to be safe)
