Through Decree no. 11,982,1 dated April 9, 2024, the Brazilian government ended the visa exemption for visitors from the United States, Canada, and Australia entering Brazil starting April 10, 2025.
After two postponements, the visa requirement for these nationals took effect on April 10, 2025.
American, Canadian, and Australian citizens can apply for an electronic visit visa (e-visa) to travel to Brazil, without the need to visit a Brazilian embassy or consulate in person. The new way of requesting the document makes it practical and convenient to issue the document, available at the electronic address: .
This visa requirement will mean additional costs and administration for citizens of these countries traveling to Brazil with an electronic visit visa.
Immigration counsel � and where employees and their family members are concerned, global mobility managers � should be communicating with parties who are affected by the change in the rules of appropriate next steps.
The Lula government's decision to require visas for the United States, Canada, and Australia should have come into force on October 1, 2023. However, after pressure and problems regarding serving tourists from these countries, the deadline was postponed twice. From April 10, 2025, the visa requirement is in effect. (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2024-087, April 12, 2024.)
This situation has been in flux for some time, creating uncertainty for the affected parties. Currently, the visa requirement is in place; however, there is ongoing discussion about exempting nationals of Australia, Canada, and the United States from this requirement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brazil (Itamaraty) opposes the exemption, while Brazil’s Senate2 has voted in favor of it. The matter will now be considered by the Chamber of Deputies, but there is no information on when this discussion will take place. Until a final decision is reached, visa requirements for these nationals remain in effect.
The 㣨Leyu 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.
1 (In Portuguese) Ministério das Relações Exteriores, "Fim da isenção de vistos de visita para nacionais dos Estados Unidos, Canadá e Austrália" (Published in 09/04/2025) at: ).
For a 2024 reference, see (in English): "Postponement of entry into force of visa requirements for citizens of Australia, Canada and the USA," on the website of the Brazilian Consulate-General in Miami / Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Miami (publicado em 10/04/2024 11h04) at: .
2 "Senado aprova sustar exigência de visto de Austrália, Canadá, EUA e Japão," Fonte: Agência Senado, (19/03/2025) [translation of title: “Senate Approves Suspension of Visa Requirement for Australia, Canada, USA, and Japan”] (in Portuguese) at: .
* Please note the 㣨Leyu International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, 㣨Leyu Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the 㣨Leyu International member firm in Brazil.
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