The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that its e-visa program (Programa de Visto de Visita por Meio Eletrônico) is available as of November 21. Non-Brazilian visitors can apply for a visa for Brazil at www.vfsglobal.com/brazil-evisa.
Upon boarding their flight, travelers must provide a print copy or scanned image of the e-visa to their carrier of choice. This can be done on a computer, cell phone or tablet.
The Ministry said the e-visa will cost USD 40 with a maximum 2-year validity. The new system goes into effect this Tuesday for travelers from Australia, on January 11, 2018 for ones from Japan, on January 18 for Canadians and on January 25 for citizens of the United States.
According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, these countries were first picks because in 2016, they accounted for 63.74% of tourist visa and for 58.15% of business visa applications for Brazil.
This Tuesday, the Ministry said that “the results will lead to further studies conducive to the addition of other nationalities.”
Upon announcing its e-visa project last April, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry had said that a second phase could see visas made available for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India and China.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS from the Brazilian e-visa site:
Why should I use the online application system?
By applying online you do not have to visit the consulate. You can submit all the required documents, information and pay for visa fees from home or office. If your visa application is approved, we will forward the visa copy through email on your registered email ID. However if you wish to submit the application physically you can still visit your nearest Brazilian Consulate.
What is the difference between the eVisa and the Consular Visa?
The eVisa is a type of application done completely online, while the Consular Visa demands you to go to a Consulate in person.
The eVisa can be applied online through internet from your Desktop, Laptop or a Mobile phone, while in case of Consular Visa you cannot apply.
The eVisa will not be stamped on your passport, while the Consular Visa will be stamped.
You can apply for eVisa only if your intentions in Brazil are tourism or business, while in case of Consular Visa, application can be submitted according to your purpose of travel.
The eVisa is valid only for 02 years.
The Consular Visa has a large number of subcategories that vary according to your purpose of travel, while the eVisa has only one category.
Your stay in Brazil with eVisa is limited to 90 days per year.
eVisa is not an emergency visa, for an emergency visa applicants need to visit the nearest consulate.
The eVisa application is a facility provided exclusively for Australian, Canadian, American or Japanese citizens, while the Consular Visa can be applied by a wider range of nationalities.
Please note you may also apply for a Tourist or Business Visa at the Consulate / Embassy covering your jurisdiction.
How much does it cost to apply for a visa? What types of visa can I apply for?
The visa fees and service fees are 40 and 4.24 respectively including incidentals, if any. All charges are payable in US Dollars. You can apply for Online Tourist Visa.
Do children or infants need a visa?
Yes. All applicants, including children and infants must have a visa to enter Brazil. This also includes infants traveling on parents’ laps. We are unable to process visas for children endorsed on parent’s passports.
Are the visa fees same for infant, minor and adult?
Yes, the eVisa fee is the same for infant, minor or an adult.
I have dual nationality. How do I proceed?
You have to choose one of your nationalities and use the corresponding passport to apply. Make sure that the chosen nationality is applicable eVisa facility.
What is the procedure to apply for a Brazil visa online?
To apply for a Brazil visa online you must have a valid machine readable passport. You can start the application process
Click On www.vfsglobal.com/Brazil-eVisa/
Applicants need to register
Complete Visa Application Form
Upload mandatory document
Answer set of questions asked during the visa application process
Make online payment.
After your application is complete, we will contact you within an average of 5 working days with the results of your visa application.
How much time does it take for eVisa approval?
Provided all required documents are submitted correctly, visas are normally issued within 4 – 5 working days of your application. If your application exceeded five working days, please contact us.
The processing time of my eVisa was not respected and my travel date is coming up. How do I proceed?
If the processing time of your application exceeds five working days, you can contact our staff by clicking here.
What is meant by working days?
All days except weekends and public holidays in Brazil and Australia are considered as working days. Saturday and Sunday are considered as weekends in Brazil and Australia. For list of public holidays click here
What documents do I need to apply? Do all family members need to submit documents?
Every applicant requiring a visa will need to submit scan colored copies of their:
Passport information (bio page) /picture page(s)
A ICAO Standard photograph:
The photograph must be taken from the front, against white background.
The applicant’s face and shoulders must be centralized on the camera and he or she must be looking into the camera.
No reflections, shadows or glares are accepted in the picture.
The applicant shall provide neutral face and the eyes must be open and visible.
If you wear glasses, the lenses may not reflect the ambient light or the camera. Dark glasses or non-prescription glasses with tinted lenses, or thick frames, are not acceptable.
Headgear or hats are not acceptable, except when used for religious reasons. They cannot, however, prevent a perfect view of the face of the applicant.
Children can not appear with toys, pacifiers, or hands of people holding them.
The examples of photographs in the pattern required can be viewed here.
Additional documents
If the applicant is minor, based on date of birth and if the applicant is a minor, then the applicant will have to upload additional documents based on parent criteria. The applicant will select either parent one/parent two/legal guardian.
If the applicant selects both parents, one and parent two, then he will have to upload the bio page and the photo of both the parents and authorization letter signed by both parents. If the applicant selects either one of the parents or a legal guardian, then he will have to upload any valid document that demonstrate why only one parent or one legal guardian is authorizing and not both along with bio page and photo. . The user will have to upload the authorization letter once he is prompted to upload documents after he selects the parent or a legal guardian. These are the documents the parent 1/parent 2/legal guardian has to upload
Minor Authorization Form signed by both parents / legal guardian.
Parent 1 / legal guardian 1, passport bio page
Parent 2 / legal guardian 1, passport bio page
Photo of Parent 1 / legal guardian 1
Photo of Parent 2 / legal guardian 2
If only 1 parent, supporting docs for why only 1 parent (e.g. authorization form for parent 2 stating parent 1 , death certificate, birth certificate, single parent custody legal document etc.)
You can download the authorization letter here.
How will I receive my eVisa?
All visas are sent by email, to the email address given at the time of registration.
What if I lose my eVisa?
If you lose your eVisa, you can reprint it by accessing it from your e-mail.
I did not pay attention and provided the wrong e-mail address while I filled out my eVisa form. How do I proceed?
If you provide an incorrect e-mail address, you will not receive a Log-in link. Thus, your data will not be properly recorded and you have to apply once again.
I am not receiving e-mails concerning to my eVisa, although I provided the correct e-mail address while filling my eVisa form. How do I proceed?
If you are not receiving e-mails properly, you can contact one of our staffs by clicking here.
I made a family eVisa application. All the eVisa were approved, except for mine. What should my family do?
Although there is the possibility of applying as a family, the analysis of each application is done separately. If your eVisa was denied, you have to apply for the Consular Visa (but the rest of your family can travel on the eVisa).
I was requested to provide additional documents, but I am having trouble while submitting them and the time for submission is almost expiring. How do I proceed?
If you are having trouble to submit additional documents, you have to contact our staff by clicking here.
I was requested to provide additional documents but I will not be able to submit it within 30 days. What will happen to my application and visa fees?
If you do not submit the additional documents within 30 days, your eVisa will be denied and you will have to start a new application. No visa fees would be refunded.
Which passport or travel document holders are eligible to apply for eVisa?
Only regular passport holders are eligible to apply for eVisa. Diplomatic / Service / Official / temporary passport holders or travel documents holders are not eligible for eVisa. Any application received other than regular passport holders may be rejected and their visa fees would not be refunded.
Is there a minimum browser requirement?
Yes, the eVisa can be applied through Internet Explorer 10, Google Chrome 43, Firefox 38, Opera 29, Safari 9.
Will I definitely get a visa if I apply online? If I get a visa, am I guaranteed entry in Brazil?
The decision to grant entry visas for Brazil is entirely at the discretion of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) – VFS Global cannot guarantee that your visa application will be approved. The granting of a visa does not guarantee entry in Brazil; the final decision is made by immigration officers at the point of entry.
My eVisa was denied. Can I ask for the refund of the fees?
The Visa fees as levied to the applicants are non-refundable under any circumstances whatsoever.
I did not pay attention and paid the fee twice. Can I ask for a refund?
The Visa fees as levied to the applicants are non-refundable under any circumstances whatsoever. Except under circumstances wherein we have received duplicate payment for the same application.
If my visa application is rejected, can I apply again?
Yes, you can reapply using the Online service or at the nearest consulate if your visa is rejected.
I was requested to provide additional documents, will my family application be on pause until I provide the additional documents?
No, only your application will be on pause till additional documents are not received. The family applications will be processed.
How can I contact VFS Global?
If you have any questions, please contact us through our e-mail address or helpline. Please note that all communications & correspondences would be in English Language only.
How can I provide my feedback for the services rendered?
VFS Global welcomes your feedback. Please use our FeedBack section to send us your comments.
Why was my visa application rejected?
Unfortunately, the Brazil Immigration authorities do not give reasons for rejecting visa applications, so we cannot provide specific reasons why your application was unsuccessful.
How can I track the status of my visa application?
You can track your application by going to, and clicking on “track your application”. We will send you an email once your visa application has been approved or rejected, or if any additional information is required.
Do I have to submit my passport for stamping before I travel?
No. You will receive an electronic visa, which does not require to be stamped on your passport ahead of travel. All visa copies are sent by email. You should print a copy of your eVisa and carry it with you when you travel to Brazil.
My passport is expiring soon – can I still get a visa?
All visitors need to have a valid passport for at least 01 month from the date of application. If your passport validity is less than 01 month, you will have to renew or apply for a fresh your passport before you can apply for an eVisa.
Can I apply for a Brazil visa if my passport has a single name?
Passports with single name will not be accepted, applicants need to have minimum two names in their passport to apply for a Brazil visa.
What is the validity of a visitor’s visa?
The validity of visitor’s visa depends on the nationality of applicants. Generally it is 02 years from the date of issue or till the passport expiry date, whichever is earlier.
My visa was printed incorrectly. What should I do?
If your visa was printed incorrectly, you will have to apply for a fresh visa again as visas once issued cannot be corrected.
Will the visitor’s visa be Multiple Entry or Single Entry visa?
Usually a visitor’s visa is for Multiple Entry, but it is at the sole discretion of MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) whether to grant a Multiple Entry or a Single Entry visa. Visitor’s visa issued through this service is a Multiple Entry Visa.
If I don’t have a Credit / Debit card, can I use someone else’s Credit / Debit card to make visa fees payment?
It is not mandated that the Credit / Debit card needs to be in the name of the person who is applying for a visa.
I have made payment but I have not received any confirmation or email from your end?
There could be multiple reasons for not receiving a confirmation for the payment.
The payment was not successful
The internet connection was lost during the transaction
Your card is not a 3D secure card
Request you to kindly check your bank statement to confirm that the payment was successful. If the payment was successful you can contact us with a scanned copy of your bank statement. Else you may try making the payment again, using a different browser or using a different card.