Brazil Tourist Visa Update: Brazil Significantly Lowers Cost of Visa

Wonderful news for those looking to visit Brazil! While several countries in Latin America have charged high fees for Americans visiting (this is largely a matter of reciprocity), for many countries this simply came in the form of them charging you a hefty sum of money on arrival. Some countries have even undone that — for example, last year Argentina suspended their $160 visa reciprocity fee for US citizens.

Jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal

Brazil is one of the few countries in the region that has required US citizens to get a full-on visa prior to their arrival. Not only that, but it’s pricey, at $260.

The great news is that this is finally changing. As we mentioned in our blog post HERE, starting in January 2018, Brazil will begin issuing electronic visas for US citizens (as well as Australian, Canadian, and Japanese citizens). The new process is valid both for tourist and business visas, and must be requested at least 72 hours in advance. A new bonus that has been added to this is that the visa will now only cost $40 USD (instead of the original $260). Hooray!

Trekking in Chapada Diamantina, Brazil

Here’s what Brazil’s tourism minister has to say about the change, as published in BrazilGovNews:

“The facilitation of visas aims to reduce bureaucracy and, above all, to boost the entry of foreign tourists into Brazil,” said Tourism Minister Marx Beltrão. The expectation by the Tourism Ministry, based on data from the World Tourism Organization, is that the measure will increase foreign tourist inflows to Brazil by up to 25%.”

Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio

Brazil also plans to make it easier for citizens of other countries to get visas. For example, Chinese citizens still need to get five year tourist and business visas, though Brazil is expanding the number of visa centers in China from three to 12 at the beginning of next year.

Pink River Dolphin in the Brazilian Amazon

All of this is fantastic news for US citizens, given that you previously had to visit a consulate or use a service to get your visa in advance of your trip.

Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dune Trekking and Swimming in Crystal Pools

We say, let’s celebrate! Adventure to the glittering Iguazu Falls, swim with pink dolphins and tree climb in the canopy of the Amazon, trek along ancient sand dunes and bathe in hidden lagoons in Lencois de Maranhenses, snorkel and rappel into caves in Bonito, trek past table-top mountains and swim under waterfalls in Chapada Diamantina, track jaguars and see some of the continent’s rarest birds in the Pantanal, or dance the night away to the samba beats in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil has something for everyone- let us help you plan your next journey to this treasure trove of adventure in the heart of South America!

Your friendly Brazil expert,

Gretchen