Yes, US citizens need a visa to visit Brazil. Since April 10, 2025, Brazil requires a visa from US, Canadian and Australian citizens for short visits, and the usual way to get one is the e-Visa, applied for entirely online through the portal Brazil's government has authorized, run by VFS Global (brazil.vfsevisa.com). As of November 2026 we found no change to this requirement, but confirm it on a Brazilian consulate page or the US Embassy in Brazil's site before you travel. The US Embassy warns that US citizens who arrive without a valid visa will not be allowed to enter, and airlines can refuse to board you without one.
What changed, and why
Brazil waived visas for US visitors from 2019. It later reinstated the requirement on the principle of reciprocity, since the United States requires Brazilians to get a visa. After postponements, the requirement took effect at midnight on April 10, 2025. It applies to US citizens whatever the purpose of the trip, and it applies however you arrive: by air, by land or on a cruise ship calling at a Brazilian port.
If you already hold a valid physical Brazilian visa in your passport for the purpose of your trip, you do not need a new one. Dual US-Brazilian citizens are not eligible for a Brazilian visa at all: Brazil expects them to enter as Brazilians, on a Brazilian passport.
Who the e-Visa covers
Brazil's foreign ministry describes the e-Visa (a visit visa) as covering stays of up to 90 days for:
- tourism and visiting family or friends
- business trips, such as meetings and conferences
- transit
- sports and artistic activities, under the conditions the ministry sets
It is not for work under a Brazilian employment contract, study programs or residence. Those need a different visa through a Brazilian consulate. Total time in Brazil on a visit visa is also capped at 180 days in any 12 months.
How to apply, step by step
- Go to the official portal. Start from a Brazilian consulate's visa page or the US Embassy in Brazil's message, which link to brazil.vfsevisa.com. Search results are full of look-alike sites that charge extra to fill in the same form. If the address is not the one the consulate names, close it.
- Create an account and fill in the form with your personal details, passport information and travel plans.
- Upload your documents. Requirements are listed on the portal and can change, but expect a passport photo, a scan of your passport's photo page, and supporting documents such as proof of means of support (for example a recent bank statement) and your travel plans or a return ticket reservation. Minors have extra document rules.
- Pay the fee online by card. The fee is set by Brazil and charged on the portal, so check the current amount there rather than trusting a figure from a blog or a third-party site.
- Wait for the decision by email. The approved e-Visa arrives as a document you print or keep on your phone. Processing can take several working days, and longer in busy periods.
Brazil's consulate guidance says to obtain the e-Visa before you buy airline tickets or make other fixed travel arrangements. In practice many travelers book first, but if you do, choose a flexible fare and apply right away. Applying a few weeks ahead is a sensible minimum, and well ahead of a holiday trip is better.
How long the e-Visa is valid
Each visit on the e-Visa can last up to 90 days unless stated otherwise on the visa, within the 180-days-a-year limit. How many years the visa itself stays valid has been stated differently by different official pages, so read the validity printed on your approved visa and on the VFS portal at the time you apply. If the visa is tied to your passport number, renewing your passport can affect it; check the portal's guidance if your passport is close to expiring.
Passport rules still apply
A visa does not replace the normal passport checks. Your passport needs to be valid for your trip and have blank pages, and you should check the State Department's Brazil country page for its current entry requirements before you travel. If you are short on time, our guide on how to get a US passport fast covers expedited service, and our explainer on passport validity and visas before you book walks through the checks to make before paying for a trip.
Common mistakes
- Using an unofficial site. Third-party "visa services" are legal but often charge on top of Brazil's fee, and some are outright scams. Always start from a .gov.br consulate page or the US Embassy in Brazil.
- Leaving it to the last week. Processing takes days, and an application missing a document can be sent back.
- Assuming a cruise is exempt. A cruise that calls at Brazilian ports still needs a visa for US passengers. Check with your cruise line.
- Name mismatches. The name on your e-Visa, passport and airline ticket should match exactly.
- Dual citizens applying. If you are also a Brazilian citizen, the e-Visa is not for you; travel on your Brazilian passport.
Flying to Brazil from the US
Most long-haul flights from the US land at São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), Brazil's largest international gateway, with onward connections across the country. You can compare flights to São Paulo from US cities, including guides such as Newark to São Paulo and Minneapolis to São Paulo. Fares on the site come from live airline inventory for your dates, and our guide to the best time to book international flights helps you choose when to buy.
