Brazil Changes Visa Rules for Visitors From USA, Canada, Australia

Even before the Trump Administration announced a 50% tariff on goods from Brazil, the South American nation instituted some new travel requirements – including financial ones – for visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia.

Here’s what you need to know to visit Brazil –

Brazil has officially enacted a new visa rule that places a financial threshold on travelers from the US, Canada, and Australia, requiring each applicant to show proof of at least $2,000USD in savings or income before entry, plus an eVisa that costs $80USD, ending six years of visa-free travel.

This is reciprocal, since Brazilian nationals must meet similar conditions when seeking visas for these countries. It adds time – and cost –  for tourists from these key nations.

New Chapter in Brazil’s Entry Requirements

The visa-free policy was first implemented in 2019 to attract more international tourists to Brazil, particularly from high-spending markets like the USA. However, the move was never reciprocated by the USA, Canada or Australia.

Proof of Income or Savings

Brazil now requires travelers from the US, Canada, and Australia to prove financial solvency through:

• Three recent bank statements demonstrating a minimum average balance of $2,000 USD over the past three months; or
• Six recent pay stubs reflecting equivalent monthly earnings.

Travelers who cannot meet these financial criteria must submit a sponsorship letter from an individual who can provide evidence of meeting the required savings or income. The sponsor must also submit their bank statements or pay slips to support the application.

In such cases, travelers must turn to sponsors—friends, relatives or organizations in Brazil—who are willing and able to support their application with documented financial evidence.

Additionally, the mandatory letter of intent must outline the purpose of the visit clearly, whether for tourism, family visits, cultural activities, or short-term business. Incomplete or vague applications may face rejection.

This mandatory threshold ensures that travelers entering Brazil can afford their visit without seeking local aid.

Travelers also should have travel insurance.  See our ecoXplorer guide to travel insurance here. 

Brazil eVisa Application Process

The new policy applies specifically to short-term tourist visits processed through Brazil’s eVisa system. 

Travelers must complete the application online through the official Brazilian government portal.  Key features of the eVisa include:

• Validity: 10 years from the date of issuance
• Entry Type: Multiple-entry visa
• Maximum Stay: 90 days per year, renewable for another 90 days (maximum 180 days within a 12-month period)
• Processing Time: Approximately 5 business days (recommended to apply 1–2 months in advance)
• Cost: $80.90 USD, inclusive of processing and consular fees

Applicants must upload the required documents digitally and await confirmation by email.

Once approved, you must carry the eVisa PDF during travel, either as a printout or on a digital device.

Actually, the instructions tell you to print two copies,

Additional Documentation Requirements

In addition to financial records, travelers must upload the following documents to complete their eVisa application:

• Valid passport with at least one blank page and six months of validity beyond the planned stay
• Passport-style photo (digital format, recent, with a white background) – best to use the photo from your passport
• Proof of onward or return ticket, so you can upload your itinerary and/or flight schedule
• Proof of accommodation or invitation letter from a host in Brazil, which can be part of your itinerary
• Letter of intent explaining the reason for travel, planned activities, and duration of stay

My personal experience with Brazil’s new eVisa requirement for a visit to Iguazu Falls in August 2025-  It took me around 30 minutes to complete the eVisa application, including converting Word doc proof of accommodation and return flight into a PDF – but then it was approved and emailed back in less than one week.  I have both two hard copies and a digital copy on my phone.

This more thorough approach mirrors procedures long adopted by U.S., Canadian, and Australian embassies around the world, shifting Brazil’s former ease-of-entry model to one that demands more planning and preparation.

What You Need to Do Before Visiting Brazil

Here is a step-by-step guide for travelers from the US, Canada, and Australia planning a trip to Brazil under the new eVisa policy:

1. Check Passport Validity: Ensure it’s valid for at least six months after the planned date of entry.
2. Prepare Financial Documents: Gather three months of bank statements or six pay stubs showing $2,000 USD average savings/income.
3. If Needed, Secure a Sponsor: If personal finances don’t meet the threshold, arrange for a qualified sponsor and obtain the required support documentation.
4. Gather Other Required Materials: Include return flight details, accommodation proof, passport-style photo, and a signed letter of intent.
5. Submit eVisa Application: Visit the official eVisa portal and upload all documentation. Pay the $80.90 fee.
6. Wait for Approval: Allow at least five business days (preferably longer) for processing.
7. Download the eVisa: Once approved, save a copy to your device and print TWO copies for airport security and immigration officials.

Exemptions and Special Cases

While the new visa policy applies broadly to leisure travelers, these categories are exempt or subject to special handling:

• Diplomatic passport holders
• Transit passengers who remain within the airport’s international zone
• Participants in official government delegations
• Individuals with Brazilian ancestry applying for dual citizenship or permanent residency

Why Brazil Reinstated Visa Requirements for These Countries

According to the travel trade publication Travel and Tour World, Brazil’s government cited diplomatic balance as the core reason for this decision.

While Brazil previously allowed citizens of the US, Canada, and Australia to enter without a visa, the reverse was not true. Brazilian nationals must still secure visas before entering these three countries—often involving interviews, documentation, and non-refundable fees.

By reinstating its own requirements, Brazil aims to rebalance its international relationships. Officials emphasized the principle of equal treatment, asserting that any easing or tightening of entry rules will reflect how Brazilian citizens are treated abroad.

The shift also reflects growing concerns over border control, resource allocation, and sustainable tourism management. With increasing demand for international arrivals, Brazil seeks to ensure that those entering the country can fully fund their visits without burdening local systems.

How the New Policy Impacts US, Canadian, and Australian Travelers

Travelers from the three affected nations will now need to build more lead time into their travel plans. While the application process remains digital and efficient, the financial documentation requirement adds a layer of complexity that many may not have anticipated.

The new requirements especially affect last-minute travelers who may not have time to get the eVisa and gather financial documents, along with digital nomads, and budget tourists who may not meet the financial threshold.

Reaction from the Travel Industry

While the full impact on tourism numbers will become clearer over the coming months, early indicators show mixed responses. Some tour operators have welcomed the added structure, which may encourage higher-spending travelers. Others have voiced concern that this move could discourage spontaneous or budget-conscious tourism from some of Brazil’s key markets.

Airlines and travel platforms have started issuing guidance and prompts to customers booking Brazil-bound flights, reminding them to secure their eVisa in advance. Many are revising their booking terms to accommodate cancellations or delays caused by missing visas.

Tourism businesses, including airlines, hotels and tour operators,  also are lobbying for clearer communication from Brazilian authorities, for more transparent approval timelines and customer service channels to help travelers navigate the new system.

Outlook for Future Visa Policy

Brazil’s return to reciprocal visa enforcement suggests a broader trend in international diplomacy, where visa-free privileges are becoming increasingly tied to mutual agreements.  In other words, you do it to us, we do it back to you.

We would hope that if and when the USA,  Canada, or Australia were to ease their visa requirements for Brazilian citizens, it’s possible that Brazil may again revise or suspend its new rules.

Until then, the $2,000 financial gate stands firm, marking a decisive pivot in Brazil’s border policy and requiring prospective visitors from its top Western source markets to prove their means before setting foot in the country.

Brazil remains one of South America’s most compelling travel destinations, offering a rich tapestry of culture, nature, and history, from Carnival in Rio to Amazon to the UNESCO heritage site, Iguazu Falls, which I’ll be visiting soon – and why these new documentation requirements are important.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA) and Editor of the winter sports website SeniorsSkiing.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.

Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter

Thanks for following ecoXplorer.