U.S. citizens need an e-Visa to enter Brazil. Here’s exactly how we applied, what it costs, how long it takes, and the mistakes that can hold up your trip.
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Yes, U.S. citizens need a visa to visit Brazil. You apply online for an e-Visa at the official portal, pay US$80.90, wait up to 10 business days for approval (ours came in about two hours), and print the PDF to carry with your passport.
Our first trip to Rio, in March 2024, was visa-free. That changed on April 10, 2025, when Brazil brought back its visa requirement for U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens, so for our second trip in November 2025, we applied for the e-Visa ourselves. If you’ve read an older Brazil guide that says “no visa needed,” it’s out of date.
The e-Visa is the biggest of Brazil’s entry requirements for U.S. citizens, but not the only one. You’ll also need a valid passport and, in case immigration asks, proof of a return ticket and a place to stay. We cover the full checklist below.
The process is online, doesn’t require an embassy visit, and the e-Visa lasts 10 years for U.S. citizens.
Everything we read online made it sound hard, but it was easier than we expected. It’s not as simple as a digital entry form, since you do have to give real information, but it was very doable.
Rules and fees can change, so confirm on the official portal before you apply.
Brazil e-Visa Quick Facts
| Who needs it | U.S. citizens (also Canadians and Australians) |
| Cost | US$80.90 |
| Validity | 10 years for U.S. citizens, multiple entries |
| Stay | Up to 90 days per year |
| Processing time | Up to 10 business days once your application is verified |
| Where to apply | brazil.vfsevisa.com |
| What you upload | A photo and a color copy of your passport bio page |
| Visa on arrival? | No |
Brazil Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens
To enter Brazil as a U.S. tourist, you need an approved e-Visa and a valid passport. Here’s the full checklist:
- An approved e-Visa. This is required, and there’s no visa on arrival. Airlines check it before you board.
- A valid passport. Use the same passport you applied with.
- Proof of a return or onward ticket. Immigration officers can ask you to prove you’re leaving, so keep it handy on your phone.
- A place to stay. Have the address of your first night’s hotel or Airbnb ready in case you’re asked.
- A yellow fever certificate, only in some cases. It isn’t required for most U.S. travelers flying straight from the US. It’s generally recommended if you’re arriving from, or have transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, so check the CDC’s Brazil page before you go.
- Travel insurance (not required, but recommended). The State Department highly recommends it. We use Safety Wing.
Rules can change, so check the official portal and the State Department’s Brazil country page before you fly.
Use the Official Brazil Visa Portal Only
The only official place to apply for the Brazil visa is brazil.vfsevisa.com. The portal calls itself the only official portal for eligible travelers, and a Google search for “Brazil e-Visa” will also bring up lookalike sites that charge extra fees to submit the same form for you.
If a site asks you to pay more than the official fee, double-check that you’re on the right one before you enter any payment details.
What You Need Before You Start
Have these ready so you can finish in one sitting:
- Your passport. Use the exact passport you’ll travel with. (If you hold dual citizenship, apply with the one you’ll carry to Brazil.) Many airlines and guides recommend at least six months of validity, and the portal lists its own minimum, so check yours before you apply.
- A recent photo that meets the official specs. The portal links a sample photo guide, so read it first. Photos are a common reason applications get sent back.
- A color copy of your passport bio page. Here’s the portal’s sample. Make sure it’s clear and uncropped.
- A credit or debit card for the fee.
- An email address you can access. This one matters more than it sounds (see mistakes below).
Worth having handy, just in case: the portal says consulates can request additional documents at their discretion, and some consulate pages have listed a flight reservation and a recent bank statement. Before we applied, we’d read that applicants get asked to prove financial means, but we weren’t asked for anything like that. Still, keep your details handy in case your application is flagged.
How to Apply for the Brazil e-Visa, Step by Step
How long the application took us: my husband filled out both of our applications (each traveler needs their own), and it took more than an hour but less than two hours for both to be submitted.
1. Go to the official portal. Visit brazil.vfsevisa.com, choose “United States” as your nationality, and click Apply Now.
2. Create an account. Enter your email carefully. Your login link and an auto-generated password are sent there, and the portal says a wrong email address means you’ll need to reapply.
3. Choose “Tourist” as your purpose of travel (for a vacation) and start the application.
4. Fill in the form exactly as it appears on your passport. Match your full name, passport number, and dates exactly. Small mismatches can slow things down.
5. Upload your photo and passport bio page. Follow the portal’s specs. If a document doesn’t have its own upload box, the portal says to put it under “Additional Documents.”
6. Pay the fee. The portal currently lists the e-Visa fee as US$80.90, paid at the time you apply.
7. Track your application. You can check your status on the portal’s tracking page. If the consulate asks for more information, answer quickly, because your application is on hold until you do.
8. Download and print your e-Visa. When it’s approved, you’ll get an email with the PDF. Download it, print it, and keep a copy on your phone too.
How Long Does the Brazil e-Visa Take?
Processing takes up to 10 business days once your application has been verified and submitted to the consulate. Verification can take extra time if there’s a problem with your photo or documents.
Our approval came about two hours after we applied, even though the portal said to expect up to 10 business days. That’s not guaranteed (every application is different), so it’s still smart to apply well in advance.
The official portal recommends applying two months before your trip, which leaves room to fix anything that gets flagged. It also strongly advises not buying non-refundable flights or hotels before your e-Visa is approved.
If you’re booking for Carnival or another busy time, apply as early as you comfortably can. (See our where to stay in Rio guide for booking refundable rates while you wait.)
Common Mistakes That Delay Your e-Visa
- Entering the wrong email. Without the login link, your data isn’t recorded properly and you’ll have to start over.
- Uploading a photo that doesn’t meet the specs. Read the portal’s photo guide and retake it if you’re not sure.
- Applying too late. Waiting until a few days before your flight is risky, since airlines check your approval at check-in.
- Using a non-official site. You may pay more for the same service.
- Mismatched passport details. The name on your application should match your passport exactly.
- Applying with a different passport than you’ll travel with. This is especially important for dual citizens.
What to Do at the Airport
Carry a printed copy of your e-Visa PDF and your passport. At the airport, authorities verify your entry authorization, and your airline will check the printed out copy of your e-Visa before letting you board.
The portal also recommends:
- Printing two copies and keeping them with you
- Taking a screenshot on your phone
- Saving the email with the PDF attached
Your e-Visa won’t be stamped into your passport, so the printout is your proof. If you lose it, you can re-download it from your account, and you must print it out again.
Our experience: an airline agent checked our e-Visas at the airport and they were checked again by immigration when we landed in Brazil. Also, when we crossed from the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls back into Brazil, immigration looked at our e-Visas again. So the e-Visa isn’t just an airport document. Keep it easy to reach any time you enter Brazil, including at a land border.
Applying for Kids
Minors need additional documents. According to the portal, they include the child’s birth certificate, a notarized authorization letter signed by both parents, and color copies of the parents’ passport bio pages and signature pages. Extra documents apply depending on custody situations (sole custody, divorce, or a deceased parent). The portal walks you through exactly which documents apply to your case, so check the tourist visa page before you start.
FAQ
Do Americans need a visa for Brazil? Yes. Since April 10, 2025, U.S. citizens need an e-Visa before traveling to Brazil, and there’s no visa on arrival.
How much is the Brazil e-Visa for U.S. citizens? The official portal currently lists US$80.90.
How long is the Brazil e-Visa valid? For U.S. citizens, it’s valid for 10 years with multiple entries. You can stay up to 90 days per year, and you can contact the Federal Police if you need to extend.
How long does it take to get the Brazil e-Visa? Up to 10 business days once your application is verified. The portal recommends applying two months before you travel.
Can I get a Brazil visa on arrival? No. You need your approved e-Visa before you board.
Do I need to print my e-Visa? Absolutely, yes. The portal says to carry a printed copy of the PDF with your passport, and it recommends two copies. If your e-Visa is not printed, they will not accept it.
Is the Brazil e-Visa the same as a visa sticker in my passport? It has the same validity and allows multiple entries, but it isn’t stamped in your passport. It’s delivered by email as a PDF.
Will they check my e-Visa more than once? Possibly. Airlines check it before you board, and Brazilian immigration can verify it when you arrive. When we re-entered Brazil by land from the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls, immigration checked our e-Visas again, so keep your printout handy.
What if I don’t get my e-Visa before my trip? Check your application status on the portal, check your spam folder, and contact the portal’s support team. Don’t buy non-refundable travel before approval.
What if I entered the wrong email address? The portal says you’ll need to reapply, since you won’t receive the login link or password.
Is Brazil safe to visit? Check the latest State Department advisory, which lists Brazil at Level 2. We cover practical tips in our Rio travel tips guide.
Final Thoughts
Apply early, use only the official portal, and print your e-Visa. That’s 90% of it.
Once your visa is sorted, the fun part starts. Our 5-day Rio itinerary walks you through our route, our things to do in Rio guide has our favorite stops, and we recommend getting travel medical insurance before you go. We use Safety Wing.
Read Next: Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro | 5-Day Rio Itinerary | Rio Travel Tips | Is Salvador da Bahia Worth Visiting?
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