TOURIST VISA INFORMATION
FOR NON-US CITIZENS

(Updated on December 19^th, 2007)

In order to enter Brazil legally, even if only for a few hours, you will need a visa. However, if you are only in transit through a Brazilian airport on your way to another country and do not plan to leave the transit area of the airport, you won’t need a visa, although it would be advisable to apply for one, considering that it is always possible that an international flight may be delayed or even cancelled due to unforeseen reasons and you might be interested in leaving the airport transit area. Please note that the following information applies to citizens residing in the states of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, which is the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Brazil in Boston. If you reside in any other state, you must apply at the Consulate of Brazil of that geographical area. To check other jurisdictions follow the link: http://www.consulatebrazil.org/jurisd.htm.

PAPERWORK:

If you are interested in traveling to Brazil as a tourist, you will have to bring (Monday-Friday 10am-12pm, limit of 20 visas per day) or send to the Consulate General of Brazil (Attn: Visa Office - 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1420 - Boston, MA 02116) the following documents:

1)      Your passport (the actual document, not a photocopy), valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of intended arrival in Brazil. Please note: this does not mean that you need to have had the passport for over 6 months when applying for a visa - you may actually apply with a brand new passport that was just recently issued. This requirement has to do with the expiration date of your passport. The passport cannot expire within 6 months of the date of your arrival in Brazil. (i.e.: if you apply for a visa in April, your travel itinerary shows arrival on June 1^st, 2005 and your passport expires on Nov 10^th, 2005, then this passport is not acceptable for visa issuance and you will need to obtain a new passport before applying for your Brazilian visa). Additionally, your passport needs to have at least one blank page available for the Brazilian visa stamp (the last pages, reserved by the US government for amendments, cannot be used for visa issuance). In order to process your visa we must retain your passport;

2)      A completely filled out and signed visa application form in the original (faxes are not accepted). The form can be downloaded from our webpage (http://www.consulatebrazil.org/visa_application_form.htm) or picked up personally at our office. Make sure your signature on the form is the same as the one on your passport;

3)      A recent 2” X 2” color passport-style photograph, front view, against white background to be attached to the application form;

4)      A copy of your round trip ticket to Brazil or a printout of the flight itinerary.

5)      Your US permanent resident alien card or a valid entry visa to the US.

6)      Your I-20 form, if applicable.

For children under 18, the parents will have to bring or send to the Consulate the following, in addition to the items mentioned above:

1)            The minor's birth certificate (original or certified copy by the city clerk), allowing a Consular Officer to verify the parents’ names. If the birth certificate is written in a language other than English or Portuguese, then you will need to have it translated into English by a competent bilingual notary public;

2)            A notarized travel authorization letter.

a.       If the child is traveling alone, or with an adult companion that is not one the parents, this authorization letter needs to be signed by both parents before a notary public;

b.       If the child is traveling with one of the parents, the parent that is not going needs to sign the letter before a notary public.

c.       For information on minor's travel authorization and a sample of the necessary terms check the website at the following link: http://www.consulatebrazil.org/minors-travel-authorization.htm  

3)            A certificate of vaccination against polio (for children aged 3 months to 6 years old).

4)            Note: both parents should sign the application form for applicants under 18.

COSTS:

In order to have your Tourist visa issued, you will have to pay a fee that varies depending on your country of citizenship (please note, if you have dual citizenship, the passport you are using to apply for the visa is the one determining your citizenship in this case). Applications brought in by a third party or submitted by mail will be charged an additional US$10.00 handling fee per application. Before applying for a visa, make sure you check if your country of citizenship is not included in the list of countries whose nationals are waived of tourist visa requirements at http://www.consulatebrazil.org/waivedvisas.htm .

Citizens of Canada pay $40.00 until December 31, 2007 (This fee will increase to $65.00 as of January 1st, 2008).

Citizens of Japan or Russia pay $50.00.

Citizens of Nigeria pay $40.00.

Citizens of Australia pay $35.00.

Citizens of Mexico pay $30.00.

Citizens of countries not listed above or that do not have an agreement to have the fee waived, pay a consular fee of $20.00.

Additionally, citizens of Taiwan, Butan and Central Republic of Africa cannot apply for visas. Instead, they are provided a Laissez Passer to enter Brazil. The total cost is $50.00, and, in addition to the other requirements mentioned above, these nationals are required to bring 2 passport pictures (instead of one) and come in personally both to request and to pick up the document.

Please note that the above information may not be all inclusive. In some cases, consultation fees and others will be charged.

METHODS OF PAYMENT:

Consular fees are payable ONLY in money order or Bank Checks to the order of the Consulate General of Brazil. Personal and company checks and credit cards are NOT accepted. CASH will no longer be accepted.

PICK UP AND TURN AROUND TIME:

When applying by regular or express mail, a self-addressed prepaid envelope for return of the passport must be enclosed (or air bill of the delivery service company of your choice). The Consulate does not accept responsibility for delayed, lost or stolen mail. If you come to the Consulate in person to apply for a visa, the document will be ready for pick up after 5 working days. You may come to the Consulate personally to pick up your passport or send someone else with the receipt. If you lose your receipt, you will be required to show your ID to pick up your passport and the Consulate will not turn it in to anyone else but you.

If you prefer, you can apply for the visa by mail or through a courier office. Notice: Due to the high volume of applications, we are processing visas based on the departure date to Brazil. Do not send your visa documents to this office if you are going to need your passport before your departure date..

OFFICE HOURS:

The Consulate’s visa office is open to the public Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 12 PM. Every day 20 numbers will be given out to people who come to apply  personally for a visa. We strongly encourage visa applicants to do so by mail, whenever possible.

The processed visas may be picked up Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 2 PM.

ABOUT THE TOURIST VISA:

TOURIST visas are normally issued for a period of 90 days, except Canadian nationals, who normally receive a 5 year visa. First arrival in Brazil must take place within 90 days from the date the visa was issued in order to validate the visa, otherwise the visa will be void. Please plan accordingly. Please be reminded that it is unlawful to engage in business or professional activities in Brazil under a Tourist visa.

In the event that your passport expires before your Brazilian visa expires, you will NOT need to apply for a new Brazilian visa. Simply travel with 2 passports - the expired passport (with the valid Brazilian visa), and the new passport without a Brazilian visa and show them both to the Brazilian immigration authorities at the airport

FURTHER INFORMATION:

If you are interested in applying for a different type of Visa (i.e. Academic, Business, Student, Employment, Press Correspondent, Missionary, Research or Permanent visa) or if you need further information about the issuance of Tourist visas, please refer to our website (www.consulatebrazil.org), send us an e-mail (cgbos@consulatebrazil.org) or call 617-542-4000, extension 3130 between 3pm and 5pm.

Go to Entry Visas Page