On May 11, 2026, Brazil and China announced reciprocal visa exemptions for their citizens. Starting today, May 11, 2026, Chinese nationals can travel to Brazil without a visa; Brazilian citizens have already been able to visit China visa-free since May 2025. These reciprocal exemptions will remain valid until December 31, 2026.
The visa-free policy covers trips for tourism, business, artistic, cultural, recreational, and sporting activities. It also permits visiting family members and attending conferences, congresses, or corporate meetings for a maximum of 30 days—a timeframe that previously required formal visa approval.
Growing Tourism Numbers: The Brazil Effect
In 2025, Brazil registered a record number of international arrivals, retaining its title as the most visited country in South America with over 9.2 million tourists. China emerged as one of the fastest-growing source markets year-over-year (YoY), surging 34% compared to 2024, with 107,996 Chinese nationals entering the country.
See the full statistical report: 2025 Tourism Statistics: The "Brazil Effect" in Numbers
| Origin | 2025 | 2024 | YoY % |
|---|---|---|---|
| China (Main land) | 103122 | 76524 | 34.76% |
| Hong Kong and Macaw | 4874 | 4052 | 20.29% |
Turismo.gov
Expanding Air Corridors: More Flights Connecting Brazil to China
This influx is supported by a surge in new air roots conecting china and Brazil. In 2025 Air China announced a new flight route connecting Brazil to China. The São Paulo-Beijing flight is considered the longest single commercial route in the world, spanning 17,584 kilometers with a total travel time of 25 hours to the final destination.
Operating on a Boeing 787-900 aircraft, the journey consists of an 11-hour initial leg to Madrid, a two-hour layover for refueling, and a final 14-hour flight to Beijing. With round-trip fares averaging around R$ 7,000 (roughly $1,400 USD)
Operating twice a week since mid-2025, the route is projected to add more than 28,000 international seats annually to Brazil's Asian aviation network.
Brazil Captures Top Spot for Chinese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Beyond tourism, the eased travel restrictions reflect a deepening economic alliance. The Brazil-China Business Council announced that Brazil was the primary global destination for Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025. Chinese companies injected over $6 billion USD into the country, predominantly focused critical sectors as Energy, Mining and Electric Mobility
According to the survey, Brazil accounted for 10.9% of all Chinese overseas investments made in 2025, ranking ahead of major economies such as the United States, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, France, and Russia.
This economic integration aligns with recent geopolitical developments. Following a Meeting between Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump, Brazil firmly defended its policy of maintaining a neutral, open investment environment. This stance drew significant praise from Chinese media and economic specialists, particularly concerning Rare Earth Minerals and other critical resources, following the transaction covered in our recent article: USA Rare Earth Acquires Western Hemisphere's Largest Rare Earth Mine in $2.8 Billion Brazil Deal
"Brazil has not shifted its position under American pressure. Brazil is proceeding from its own national interests and conducting international economic and trade cooperation based on fundamental market principles," said Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
