The visa exemption for citizens of Australia, Canada, and the United States who wish to visit Brazil has been extended to April 10, 2025.1 Decree No. 11,982 was published on Tuesday, April 9, in an extra edition of the Official Gazette of the Union (Diário Oficial da União).2
WHY THIS MATTERS
The postponement of the start of visa collection aims to foster the complete implementation of the electronic visa, called “e-Visa,” available at the electronic address: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com .
The new way of requesting the document makes it practical and convenient to issue the document completely electronically, eliminating the need for the interested party to appear at a Brazilian consulate.
The document requirement will be effective from April 10 of next year.
More Details
The Lula government's decision to require visas for the United States, Canada, and Australia should have come into force on October 1, 2023. (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2024-006, January 10, 2024.)
But after pressure and problems regarding serving tourists from these countries, the deadline was postponed to January 10. Afterwards, the deadline was once again postponed to April 10.
The decision does not apply to Japan, as the Japanese government announced, in May 2023, that it was evaluating removing the visa requirement for Brazilians and confirmed the decision in August 2023, with validity from September 30, but for travel for up to 90 days. In return, Brazil stopped requiring visas for Japanese nationals.
KPMG INSIGHTS
This situation has been in flux for some time, creating uncertainty for the affected parties. At present, the status quo remains; however, travel agents and immigration counsel should be prepared for the change in requirements that will take place in April 2025.
Some Brazilian consulates abroad, including the one in Houston3, have already begun advertising the e-visa and its necessary requirements on their websites. This means that immigrants who have already obtained an e-visa will not face any consequences when presenting it to Brazilian immigration authorities. The e-visa is valid for 10 years, so those who have already obtained it will not be negatively affected by obtaining it early. Next year, the e-visa requirement will be fully implemented and mandatory. However, those who have already obtained it before it becomes mandatory will have an advantage as they will already possess an entry permit.
Individuals with intent to travel to Brazil who are from the aforementioned countries should consult with their travel agent and qualified immigration counsel or a member of the KPMG mobility team (see the Contacts section).
The KPMG mobility team is actively monitoring updates on visa rules and related matters and will strive to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert informed of any relevant developments.
FOOTNOTES
1 Ministério do Turismo, RELAÇÕES EXTERIORES, "Brasil adia para 2025 exigência de vistos para cidadãos da Austrália, Canadá e EUA" (Publicado em 09/04/2024) at: https://www.gov.br/turismo/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/brasil-adia-para-2025-exigencia-de-vistos-para-cidadaos-de-australia-canada-e-eua#:~:text=O%20Decreto%20N%C2%BA%2011.982%20foi,%3A%2F%2Fbrazil.vfsevisa.com.
2 Decreto Nº 11.982, de 9 de Abril de 2024 at: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2023-2026/2024/decreto/D11982.htm.
3 Website Consulado do Brasil em Houston https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-houston/servicos-consulares/vistos-visa/electronic-visitor-visa-e-visa.
Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Brazil.
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