TOURIST VISA INFORMATION
FOR US CITIZENS

(Updated on April 24^st, 2008)

If you are not an American citizen or if you are not going to Brazil on tourism, you should not be reading this page (Click the "back" button). To enter Brazil, 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 will need no 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 applications 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 U.S. passport (the actual document, not a photocopy), valid for a minimum of six 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, 2006 and your passport expires on Nov 10^th, 2006, 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 the webpage (www.consulatebrazil.org) or be 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. Other types of photographs will NOT be accepted;

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

For children under 18, the parents will have to bring or send to the Consulate of Brazil 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;

2)       A notarized travel authorization letter.

a.      This is mandatory, even if both parents are traveling with the child.

b.   For a sample letter, click here.

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:

Applications submitted by mail: US$ 140.00 per application (US$ 130.00 processing fee + US$ 10.00 handling fee). Notice: The US$ 10.00 handling fee does NOT pay for the return of your passport. You still have to provide us with a self-addressed, stamped, pre-paid envelope. Please read the "PICK UP AND TURN AROUND TIME" section below for more information.

Applications brought in by a third party: US$ 140.00 per application (US$ 130.00 processing fee + US$ 10.00 handling fee).

Applying in person for yourself: US$ 130.00 processing fee.

METHODS OF PAYMENT:

Consular fees are payable ONLY in cash or money order to the order of the Consulate General of Brazil. Personal and company checks and credit cards are NOT accepted.

Starting May 12 2008, ONLY money order and Bank Checks to the order of the Consulate General of Brazil will be accepted. 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.

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 for U.S. citizens may be granted for periods of up to 5 (five) years. However, stay periods in Brazil are limited to a maximum of 90 days per entry, and to a yearly total of 180 days. 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 3 PM and 5 PM.

Go to Entry Visas Page