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 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:

Visa applications will only be accepted by appointment or by mail. For tourist visa, the following documents are required:

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 two blank continuous visa pages 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)  Visa application. Please fill out electronically in the following website (https://scedv.serpro.gov.br ). Once you have done it, print out the receipt page, with the bar code, affix a photo and sign it;

3)      ONE recent 2” X 2” color photograph, facing forward, 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.

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) plus a copy, allowing a Consular Officer to verify the parents’ names;

2)       When traveling alone, a notarized consent letter signed by both parents. When traveling with one parent, a notarized consent letter signed by the non-travelling parent.

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.

ATTENTION: COSTS CHANGE AS OF JUNE 4^TH, 2010.

COSTS:

Applications submitted by mail: US$ 160.00 per application (US$ 140.00 processing fee + US$ 20.00 handling fee). Notice: The US$ 20.00 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$ 160.00 per application (US$ 140.00 processing fee + US$ 20.00 handling fee).

Applying in person for yourself: US$ 140.00 processing fee.

METHODS OF PAYMENT:

Consular fees are payable ONLY in money order, issued by the United States Post Office, to the order of the Consulate General of Brazil. Personal and company checks and credit cards are NOT accepted. CASH is no longer 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. The Consulate does not accept responsibility for delayed, lost or stolen mail.

Starting June 1st, 2008, only stamped USPS Express Mail will be accepted as pre-paid mail option. UPS, Fedex, DHL or other carriers will no longer be accepted for applications submitted by mail.

Your document will be mailed, or ready, after 6 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.

OFFICE HOURS:

The Consulate’s visa office is open to the public Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 12 PM by appointment only.  We strongly encourage visa applicants to do so by mail, whenever possible.

The processed visas may be picked up Monday through Friday between 1:00 and 2:00 PM.

ABOUT THE TOURIST VISA:

Tourist visas for U.S. citizens may be granted for periods of up to 10 (ten) years. However, stay periods in Brazil are limited to a maximum of 90 days per entry, and to a yearly total of 180 days. 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