United States, Canada and Australia Face New Brazil Visa Rules from April 11, 2025

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Travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia will now need a visa to enter Brazil, as the South American nation reinstates entry requirements effective April 11, 2025. The decision brings an end to the visa-free access citizens of these three countries had enjoyed since 2019.

According to Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), the change was made in line with the principle of reciprocity, since these countries still require Brazilian citizens to apply for visas. The ministry emphasized that Brazil does not issue unilateral visa exemptions and that ongoing discussions are being held to explore the possibility of future reciprocal visa-waiver agreements.

As of Thursday, travelers from the U.S., Canada, and Australia arriving by air, land, or sea must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) through the official government-authorized portal. The eVisa application process includes a fee of $80.90 USD, and the visa will allow stays of up to 90 days within a 12-month period.

The visa-free policy was first implemented in 2019 to attract more international tourists to Brazil, particularly from high-spending markets like the United States. However, the move was never reciprocated by the U.S., Canadian, or Australian governments. Brazilian authorities have now opted to return to a balanced diplomatic stance, requiring the same formalities for citizens of countries that impose similar obligations on Brazilians.

Brazil’s Tourism Minister Celso Sabino, speaking to Agência Brasil, reaffirmed that the government is engaged in diplomatic talks with the United States to remove visa requirements for Brazilian nationals. If successful, such an agreement could eventually reinstate visa-free travel for Americans visiting Brazil.

Despite the renewed requirement, Brazil remains optimistic about its tourism outlook. Official figures from Embratur, the country’s national tourism board, revealed that in 2024, Brazil welcomed:

• 728,537 visitors from the United States
• 96,540 from Canada
• 52,888 from Australia

Brazilian officials believe that the return of a visa requirement, though a policy shift, will not deter travelers—especially as the new eVisa process is fully online, fast, and designed for ease of use.

Travelers planning trips to Brazil are urged to complete their eVisa applications well ahead of travel to avoid delays. The Brazilian government recommends checking the latest travel updates through the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal and the Embratur site.

This move reflects Brazil’s broader efforts to manage international relations through equitable visa policies while continuing to welcome global tourists through streamlined digital platforms.