Brazil Visitor Visa (VIVIS): Guide for US, Canadian, Australian and Chinese Nationals
Tourism and business visits — eVisa online for the US, Canada and Australia, consular visa for China, fees, stay limits and what to bring on arrival
Key Takeaways
- VIVIS covers short tourism and business visits — not paid work in Brazil
- US, Canadian and Australian citizens: apply online at the official portal https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/
- Chinese citizens: in-person consular visa application; no eVisa eligibility
- Standard stay: up to 90 days per visit, with a maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period
- Official eVisa fee for US, Canada and Australia: USD 80.90 via the VFS portal (visa fee plus service charge)
- Apply about two months before travel; avoid non-refundable flights before the visa is approved
If you hold a passport from the United States, Canada, Australia or China and plan a short trip to Brazil, you will generally need advance entry authorisation. Brazil issues a visitor visa (visto de visita), formally known as VIVIS, which covers tourism and business trips that do not involve paid employment in Brazil. The application route depends on your nationality: citizens of the US, Canada and Australia may apply online through the official Brazilian eVisa portal operated by VFS Global at https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/, while Chinese nationals must follow the traditional consular visa process at a Brazilian embassy or consulate.
What You Can Do With a Visitor Visa (VIVIS)
The visitor visa (VIVIS — Visto de Visita) is designed for short stays and covers two main purposes:
Tourism
Recreational, cultural or informational travel, visiting friends or relatives, and similar non-work trips.
Business
Attending meetings, trade fairs, corporate events, exploring opportunities, signing contracts, audits and consultations — provided you are not taking paid employment in Brazil.
What is not allowed
You may not perform any paid professional activity in Brazil on a visitor visa. Brazilian law does, however, allow receipt of per diems, travel allowances or prize money from sports or cultural competitions during your visit.
eVisa vs. Consular Visa: Which Process Applies to You?
The main difference is not the type of visa itself — both routes lead to a visitor visa (VIVIS) — but how you apply:
Brazilian eVisa — United States, Canada and Australia
Nationals of the United States, Canada and Australia are eligible for the Brazilian electronic visa (eVisa / visto eletrônico). Applications are submitted entirely online through the official VFS Global portal: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/. You complete the form, upload documents, pay the fee and receive the approved visa by email as a PDF. There is no need to visit a consulate in person, and no physical visa stamp is placed in your passport.
Consular visa — China
Chinese nationals are not eligible for the eVisa system. To obtain a visitor visa (VIVIS), you must apply for a consular visa (visto consular) at a Brazilian embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence. The process requires an appointment and in-person submission. If approved, the visa is stamped directly into your passport.
Diplomatic and special passports
Even if you hold a diplomatic or special passport from the US, Canada or Australia, a visitor visa is still required for tourism or business entry under the current rules. Fee exemptions that apply in some other contexts do not automatically apply here — check the official portal or consulate for your specific passport type.
Stay Limits, Extensions and Passport Validity
Whether you hold an eVisa or a consular visa, the rules for time spent in Brazil are the same:
Length of stay
You may remain in Brazil for up to 90 days per visit. Across a 12-month period, your total time in Brazil must not exceed 180 days. The visa generally allows multiple entries during its validity period.
Extending your stay
If you need to stay beyond your initial 90-day period, you must apply to the Federal Police (Polícia Federal) while already in Brazil. Do not assume you can simply remain after your authorised period expires.
Passport validity
Your passport must meet the validity requirements shown on the official application portal or consulate checklist at the time you apply. Confirm the current rule before submitting your application — airlines and border authorities will refuse boarding if your passport does not comply.
Planning ahead
Apply about two months before your planned departure. Avoid purchasing non-refundable flights until your visa has been formally issued and you have received the approval document.
Fees and the Reciprocity Principle
Brazil applies diplomatic reciprocity (reciprocidade): visa fees reflect what Brazil charges in relation to what each country charges Brazilian citizens. Always confirm the current fee on the official channel before paying.
eVisa fees — US, Canada and Australia
Through the official portal https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/, the combined visa and service fee is USD 80.90 (USD 80.00 visa fee plus USD 0.90 VFS service fee). The same amount applies to adult and minor applicants. Payment is made online by credit or debit card during the application.
Consular fee — China
For Chinese nationals applying through a Brazilian consulate, the visitor visa fee is BRL 115.00 under the current reciprocity table. Confirm the exact amount and payment method with the consulate handling your application, as procedures may vary by post.
Children and diplomatic passports
For the eVisa, children pay the same fee as adults. Diplomatic passport holders from the US, Canada or Australia are not exempt from the visitor visa requirement or the standard eVisa fee for tourism and business travel.
What to Bring When You Arrive in Brazil
On arrival at a Brazilian international airport, immigration officers will verify your entry authorisation. Have the following ready in your hand luggage:
All travellers
Your original valid passport.
eVisa holders (US, Canada and Australia)
Two printed copies of your approved eVisa PDF, plus a screenshot saved on your phone as a backup. Airlines may deny boarding if you cannot present a printed copy of the approved eVisa.
Consular visa holders (China)
Your passport with the valid visa stamp on the appropriate page.
Official Resources
Use only official channels to apply and pay. The primary online portal for eligible nationals is https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/. For consular applications, locate the Brazilian embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your residence through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at https://www.gov.br/mre. For eVisa technical support, the portal directs applicants to brazilevisa@vfsglobal.com with their full name, nationality and a description of any issue encountered.
Frequently Asked Questions
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