Brazil Postpones Planned eVisa Programme
The Government of Brazil has postponed the planned introduction of an electronic visa (eVisa) for visitors from Australia, Canada, and the United States until April 2025. The new multi-entry eVisa program was originally developed to require citizens of these countries to hold a new eVisa travel document for entry into Brazil for short stays of up to 90 days.
The policy was originally slated to come into effect on January 10, 2024, but was first postponed until April 10, 2024. Following further debate in the Brazilian parliament, the government announced that the policy was to be further postponed by an additional 12 months to April 2025.
Brazil continues to accept eVisa applications for eligible travelers wishing to enter Brazil from April 2025.
A boost to international tourism
In 2019 Brazil introduced a visa waiver programme for citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States which exempted passport holders from these countries from requiring a visa to enter Brazil for short stays. The stated goal of the programme was to boost international tourism from the four countries.
In 2023, the governments of Brazil and Japan agreed on a reciprocal arrangement, exempting Brazilian passport holders from requiring visitor visas for stays in Japan of up to 90 days. For this reason, Japan was not a part of Brazil’s proposed eVisa programme.
As a result of the April 2024 announcement postponing the introduction of the eVisa programme, the original 2019 visa waiver programme effectively remains in place until at least April 2025.
What does this mean for travelers to Brazil?
Previously obtained Brazil eVisas will remain valid for the original 5- or 10-year validity period (depending on nationality). Current applications will be processed as normal, and resulting eVisas will be valid for the standard 5- or 10-year period (depending on nationality).
Holders of Australian, Canadian, and United States passports can travel to Brazil until April 2025 without being required to hold a visa or eVisa for short stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are not affected by this announcement and all pre-existing travel rules apply.
Brazil continues to accept applications from eligible travelers and so in the interest of full preparedness, frequent travelers to Brazil may wish to obtain an eVisa before April 2025.
Travel well informed with CIBTvisas
As we’ve seen, this has been an evolving situation with many unforeseen developments. Our travel requirements experts are constantly monitoring official sources for changes and updates to international travel requirements and visa rules. We will continue to update this page with any further developments on this topic. Furthermore, an experienced visa specialist can help you navigate the complexities of border crossing requirements. Contact CIBTvisas today.
This update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to CIBTvisas for any case- or company-specific assessments.
CIBTvisas Monthly Update
Get the CIBTvisas Monthly Update for the most recent information on travel requirements and consular closings.