The Brazil VIVIS Visa is a short-term electronic visa that allows citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and China to enter Brazil for certain purposes, such as tourism, transit, business, or event attendance. This visa is applied for entirely online, allows multiple entries, and permits a stay of up to 90 days per entry.
The article below will help you understand what VIVIS is, who is eligible to apply, what documents are required, and the key points to note before submitting an application.
What is VIVIS?
VIVIS, short for Visitor Visa, is an electronic visa for foreign nationals who wish to enter Brazil for a short period of time. Depending on the purpose of travel, VIVIS may be used for tourism, transit, business, participation in events, or certain non-profit activities.
With a VIVIS visa, the visa holder may stay in Brazil for up to 90 days per entry. This is a multiple-entry visa, meaning that the holder may enter and leave Brazil multiple times during the visa’s validity period, provided that all entry requirements are met.
|
Criteria |
Information |
|
Number of entries |
Multiple entries |
|
Length of stay |
Up to 90 days per entry |
|
Visa validity |
United States: 10 years; Canada and Australia: 5 years; China: subject to the decision of the consular authority, usually around 1 year |
|
Extension |
May be extended for up to an additional 90 days, but not automatically. Applicants must apply in person at the Brazilian Federal Police before the visa expires |
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Application method |
100% online, with no need to visit a consulate |
Previously, Brazil unilaterally waived visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, as these countries did not apply a corresponding visa exemption policy for Brazilian citizens, Brazil ended its unilateral visa waiver policy and introduced the VIVIS e-Visa requirement as an alternative to the traditional sticker visa.
Who can apply for a Brazil VIVIS Visa?
Currently, the Brazil VIVIS Visa applies only to citizens of four countries: the United States, Canada, Australia, and China. However, each nationality group may apply for VIVIS only for specific purposes.
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Nationality |
Accepted purposes |
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United States, Canada, Australia |
Business: attending meetings, trade fairs, corporate events, exploring commercial opportunities, signing contracts, conducting audits, or providing unpaid consulting services in Brazil |
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United States, Canada, Australia |
Tourism or transit: tourism, holidays, leisure activities, visiting friends or relatives |
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China |
Events and exhibitions: attending events, fairs, or exhibitions under the business visa category |
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China |
Seafarers: maritime personnel working on foreign-flagged vessels or offshore platforms in Brazilian territorial waters |
What documents are required for a Brazil VIVIS Visa?
The entire Brazil VIVIS Visa application is submitted online. Applicants need to prepare the following basic documents and information:
1. Valid passport
Passport requirements vary depending on nationality:
For citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia, the passport must be valid for at least 1 month after the intended date of departure from Brazil.
For Chinese citizens, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages.
2. Recent portrait photo
The photo must meet official visa photo standards. It should be taken facing the camera, be clear, have a light-colored background, and must not be excessively edited. A photo that does not meet the requirements may result in a request for additional documents or a longer processing time.
3. Online application form
Applicants must complete the online application form with full and accurate information that matches their passport, including personal details, travel information, intended date of entry, length of stay, and port of entry into Brazil.
All information on the application form must match the supporting documents. Even minor discrepancies in the applicant’s name, passport number, or date of birth may affect the application result.
4. Accommodation information in Brazil
You need to provide an address of stay in Brazil, such as a hotel, the residence of a relative or friend, or the address of the host organization. The application may also require emergency contact information during your stay.
5. Documents proving the purpose of travel
Depending on the type of VIVIS visa applied for, you need to submit suitable documents to prove the purpose of entry.
For business or event attendance, the application may require an invitation letter, confirmation of participation in a conference, trade fair, exhibition, or documents related to business activities.
For tourism, you should prepare a travel itinerary, accommodation details, and other supporting documents if requested.
6. Documents for minors
Each child must have a separate VIVIS visa. In addition to the basic documents, applications for minors must include an authorization letter signed by one parent or both parents, depending on the applicable requirements.
Once the application is approved, the VIVIS will be sent by email as a PDF file. The visa holder must print a hard copy and present it when boarding the flight and entering Brazil. Without a printed copy, you may be denied boarding.
Frequently asked questions about Brazil VIVIS
How long before the trip should I apply for VIVIS?
You should apply for VIVIS around 1–2 months before your trip to allow enough time for processing and for submitting additional documents if required. You should not purchase flight tickets, book non-refundable services, or finalize your full travel plan before the visa is approved, as processing times may be extended.
Does VIVIS allow the holder to work in Brazil?
No. The VIVIS visa does not allow the holder to engage in any activity that generates income from a Brazilian source.
However, certain payments may be accepted within the scope of a short-term trip, such as business travel allowances, performance fees, competition prizes, or reimbursement of travel expenses, airfare, and accommodation.
Is VIVIS required for transit in Brazil?
If you only wait for a connecting flight within the airport transit area and do not enter Brazil, you generally do not need VIVIS. However, if you plan to leave the transit area or enter Brazil, you must have a valid VIVIS visa.
Can VIVIS be extended?
Yes. VIVIS may be extended for up to an additional 90 days, but the extension is not automatic. The applicant must submit the extension request in person at the Brazilian Federal Police before the current visa expires.
Are the length of stay and number of entries fixed?
Not entirely. Although VIVIS generally allows multiple entries and a stay of up to 90 days per entry, the final decision on the specific length of stay and entry conditions rests with the Brazilian government and the Brazilian Federal Police at the time of entry.
Conclusion
The Brazil VIVIS Visa is a more convenient option than the traditional sticker visa for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and China traveling to Brazil for a short stay. The online application process helps save time, but applicants must still comply with the requirements regarding nationality, travel purpose, and supporting documents.
To reduce the risk of delays or refusal, you should prepare a complete application from the beginning, especially a valid passport, a compliant photo, and documents proving the purpose of entry. You should also submit the application well before the intended departure date and only book tickets or finalize detailed travel plans after the VIVIS has been approved.




