Brazil Reinstates E-Visa for US, Canada, Australia: $80.90 Fee

(BRAZIL) Brazil has ended six years of visa-free entry for citizens of the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, and Australia, reinstating mandatory visitor visas effective April 10, 2025. Travelers from these countries must obtain an e-visa before boarding their flight. The fee is $80.90 per person with 10-year validity, and there are no exemptions for children. Officials say travelers without an approved e-visa will be denied entry at the border. The change aligns Brazil with a wider global pattern of rising visa fees and tighter screening seen in the US, UK, Israel, Australia, and Ecuador.

Policy changes — key points

Brazil’s government framed the move as reciprocity: Brazilians must still secure visas to visit the United States, Canada, and Australia, so the same now applies in reverse.

The new e-visa:

• Covers short visits for tourism, business, sports, artistic performances, and airport transit.
• Allows a maximum stay of 90 days per year.
• Is strictly an online application — no option to apply on arrival and no in-country issuance.
• Must be presented (printed or digital) when traveling; airlines may refuse boarding without it.

The application must be filed online through Brazil’s official e-visa platform at https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/. Processing typically takes about five business days, but applicants are strongly urged to apply at least 15 days before departure to allow for delays, system congestion, or document issues.

Travelers without an approved e-visa will be denied entry at the border. Airlines may refuse boarding if a traveler lacks the approval document.

Fees, validity, and exceptions

• Fee: $80.90 per person
• Validity: 10 years
• Children: No exemptions — every child must have their own e-visa and pay the fee

Industry groups and consular advisories note one narrow exception: certain active flight crew members on duty—listed on the aircraft’s general declaration (GENDEC) and in uniform—may be exempt when operating flights. All other crew and all passengers, including those connecting through Brazil on non-exempt itineraries, must hold a valid e-visa.

The new $80.90 fee is lower than the prior $160 charge that applied before Brazil’s 2019 visa waiver for these nationalities. Still, families and groups will feel the impact (see example below).

Example: family cost impact

• Family of four = 4 × $80.90 = $323.60 (before flights or hotels)

Application process and timing

1. Visit the official portal: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/
2. Complete the online application with accurate passport and itinerary details.
3. Submit required documents and pay the $80.90 fee per person.
4. Expect typical processing of about five business days, but apply at least 15 days before departure.
5. Save and carry the e-visa approval with your passport when traveling.

Important reminders:

• Double-check that names and passport numbers match exactly.
• There is no in-country issuance; problems cannot be fixed after arrival.
• Airlines and booking partners may refuse boarding if approval is not shown.

Impact on travelers and the travel industry

For leisure visitors:
– The main changes are cost and pre-trip planning.
– Visa-free convenience is replaced by a required advance application.
– Tourism operators expect a short-term drop in demand from the US, Canada, and Australia — especially families and last-minute travelers.

For business travelers and event attendees:
– Organizers of conferences and trade shows are urging attendees to complete paperwork weeks ahead.
– Aviation groups advise verifying passenger visa status during trip planning to avoid diversions and repositioning costs.
– If a traveler arrives without an approved e-visa, entry will be refused and carriers could face disruption.

For transit passengers:
– The e-visa covers airport transit, but passengers who must clear border control or re-check baggage still need an approved authorization.
– When in doubt, secure the e-visa — it’s the safest approach.

Practical recommendations for travelers

• Apply at least 15 days in advance; do not rely solely on the standard five-day processing time.
• Verify passport validity, photo requirements, and itinerary details before submitting.
• Save and/or print the e-visa approval and carry a copy with travel documents.
• For group travel, ensure every person, including children, has an approval.
• For events or business trips, advise attendees early and check visa status during booking.

Broader context and outlook

Brazil delayed this change several times between 2023 and 2024 while readying systems and considering diplomatic timing. With the e-visa platform live and processing stable, authorities proceeded, saying the step is fair and in Brazil’s national interest.

This step is part of a larger global trend of rising visa fees and tighter entry checks. The US, UK, Israel, Australia, and Ecuador have all recently increased fees or tightened requirements. These changes increase friction for travelers and raise costs for families and small businesses.

As of August 21, 2025, there are no announced changes beyond the current rules. However, experts warn that reciprocity and fee changes could lead to further adjustments if diplomatic talks stall.

Official guidance can change with little notice. Travelers should confirm requirements directly with Brazil’s e-visa system before making nonrefundable plans.

The official application portal, including instructions and status checks, is available at https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/.