How long can I stay in Brazil?
The time that you are allowed to stay in Brazil will vary according to the type of visa granted. In this article you will find information about how long you can stay in Brazil depending on the type of visa you have been granted.
The time that you are allowed to stay in Brazil will vary according to the type of visa granted. In this article you will find information about how long you can stay in Brazil depending on the type of visa you have been granted.
Types of Visa to Enter Brazil
Brazil issues 8 types of visas to foreigners, and they are granted according to the purpose of the stay in the country:
- Diplomatic visa, abbreviated as VIDIP
- Official visa, abbreviated as VISOF
- Courtesy visa, abbreviated as VICOR
- Tourist visa, abbreviated as VITUR
- Transit visa, abbreviated as VITRA
- Temporary visa, abbreviated as VITEM
- Permanent visa, abbreviated as VIPER
- Temporary residency visa, abbreviated as VRT
Length of Stay for Each Type of Visa
We will outline some of the general rules for each type of visa. Due to the fact that rules may change according to the citizenship and situation it is important to double check this information with your local Brazilian consular representation.
Diplomatic, Official and Courtesy Visa
These three visas are often issued for the duration of the mission to Brazil. If the period of stay if more than 90 days, Brazilian law requires that the visa holder register at Ministry of Foreign Relations, or Ministério das Relações Exteriores.
Tourist Visa
Tourist visas to Brazil are often issued for a period of up to five years, and obeys the reciprocity criterias. It allows the tourist to have multiples entries to the country for up to 90 days per year, which can be extended for another 90 days before its expiration by the Brazilian Federal Police, known as Polícia Federal, totalling 180 days per year. Note that Brazil uses the reciprocity principle, and therefore the country exempts some nationalities to obtain a visa prior to the trip.
Transit Visa
Transit visas are granted for stays for up to 10 days that cannot be extended and are valid for a single entry.
Temporary Visa
The rule of thumb is that you can stay in Brazil for up to 2 years with a temporary visa, however there are several exceptions.
The Brazilian government grants temporary visas for individuals that have professional engagement in Brazil that is for a period of 2 years or less. If the engagement in Brazil that qualifies for a temporary visa is less than 2 years you will get a temporary visa which allows you to stay in Brazil for the same period as your engagement.
Most common exemptions includes:
- Technical Professionals with a work contract - granted either a 1 year extendable or 30 days non-extendable visa for rendering of emergency services
- Business trips - visa up to 90 days
- Artists or athletic performers - visa up to 90 days
- Religious workers - 1 year extendable visa
- Students - 1 year extendable visa
- Workers on a non-Brazilian cruise ship - 180 days non-extendable visa
- Employees of multinational companies that have its headquarters located in Brazil - 2 years visa that can be extended one time
- Professionals under a foreign work agreement that will receive training in Brazil - 1 year non-extendable visa
- Professional Exchange programs for students or newly graduated - 1 year non-extendable visa
- Students with work agreement in Brazil during the period of school vacations - 90 days non-extendable visa
- Temporary residency for nationals from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay- 2 years extendable visa
Note that Brazil uses the reciprocity principle, and therefore the country exempts some nationalities to obtain the visa prior to the trip.
Permanent Visa
Brazilian permanent visas do not necessarily mean that they have an indefinite length. It is named a permanent visa when a visa is granted for periods longer than 2 years. The visa validity will still be determined by the length of the contract or the reason for requesting the visa.
- Scientists, teachers, researchers working for Universities or Research Institutions, staying in Brazil with an indefinite contract term - 2 to 5 year visa
- Executives with management power in a Brazilian registered company - visa granted for the length of the mandate, limited to a maximum of 5 years
- Representatives of a financial institution headquartered abroad - visa granted for the length of the mandate
- Individual Foreign Investor - visa granted for an undefined length
- Family or stable union - the applicant will receive a visa that has the same term as to the holder who was the base of the request