Brazil eVisa for US Citizens: Yes, You Need One Now
Short answer (2026): US citizens DO need an eVisa to visit Brazil for tourism, business, or transit. Brazil ended its visa-free entry for Americans on April 10, 2025, after years of postponements, and the requirement is firmly in force in 2026. Apply online through the official VFS Global portal before you travel — airlines will not issue a boarding pass without a valid eVisa on file.
The rules
- eVisa required: tourism, business, transit, sport, and artistic activities, for stays of up to 90 days per visit.
- Who it covers: ordinary US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders. Most Europeans and many other nationalities remain visa-exempt for up to 90 days.
- Validity: for US citizens, a multiple-entry eVisa valid up to 10 years, with stays capped at 90 days per visit and 180 days in any 12-month period.
- Apply before travel: the eVisa is electronic and linked to your passport — no sticker, no consulate visit. But it must be approved before you fly, and processing commonly takes around 10 business days, so do not leave it to the last week.
- Longer stays, work, or study: you need a different visa category from a Brazilian consulate before travel. The eVisa does not cover employment or residence.
What to watch out for
- Only one official portal: apply exclusively through the VFS Global portal at brazil.vfsevisa.com. Copycat sites charge large markups for the same application, and some are outright scams.
- The fee is non-refundable: the eVisa costs $80.90, paid online during the application. If your application is rejected, the fee is not returned.
- Old guides saying "visa-free": anything written before April 2025 telling Americans they don't need a visa for Brazil is out of date. The exemption ended April 10, 2025.
- Boarding denied without it: airlines check eVisa status at departure control. No valid eVisa on file means no boarding pass, even with a paid ticket.
- Dual nationals: under Brazilian rules updated in August 2026, dual Brazilian nationals may apply for a Visit Visa and travel on their foreign passport. If this is you, read the official guidance carefully before applying.
Apply
- Go to the official VFS Global portal at brazil.vfsevisa.com — nowhere else.
- Complete the application with your passport details and travel plans.
- Upload a digital passport photo and a scan of your passport bio page.
- Pay the $80.90 fee online with a payment card.
- Wait for approval (commonly around 10 business days) and confirm the eVisa is linked to your passport before you fly. There is no expedited processing option.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | $80.90, paid online, non-refundable |
| Processing | Commonly around 10 business days; apply well ahead of travel |
| Validity and entries | Multiple entries, up to 10 years for US citizens; up to 90 days per visit, 180 days per 12-month period |
| Official portal | VFS Global portal at brazil.vfsevisa.com — the only authorized channel |
Before you apply
- Have a digital passport photo and a scan of your passport bio page ready before you start.
- Apply at least several weeks before departure — there is no expedited option.
- After approval, confirm the eVisa is linked to the passport you will actually travel on.
- Keep a payment card ready for the $80.90 fee.
Common mistakes
- Trusting pre-April 2025 guides that say Americans are visa-exempt for Brazil.
- Applying through a copycat site that charges far more than $80.90.
- Leaving the application to the last few days before a flight.
- Assuming a rejected application refunds the fee — it does not.
- Traveling on a different passport than the one linked to the eVisa.
FAQs
- Do US citizens need a visa for Brazil? Yes. Since April 10, 2025, Americans need an eVisa for tourism, business, or transit.
- How much does it cost? $80.90, paid online, non-refundable.
- How long is it valid? For US citizens, multiple entries for up to 10 years, with up to 90 days per visit.
- How long does it take? Commonly around 10 business days — apply well ahead.
- Where do I apply? Only through the official VFS Global portal at brazil.vfsevisa.com.
- What if I am a dual Brazilian national? Under rules updated in August 2026, you may apply for a Visit Visa and travel on your foreign passport — check the official guidance for your case.
- Can I get one on arrival? No. The eVisa must be approved before you fly.
*Visa rules change. Confirm current requirements on the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site and the official VFS Global portal before traveling. Not legal or immigration advice.*