Brazil, like almost all Latin American countries, receives part of its national income from funds imported by tourists from abroad. Therefore, it is not surprising that the authorities are doing everything possible to attract tourists, including facilitating their entry into their country. In 2021, Russians do not need a visa to Brazil in most cases. Tourists can stay in the country for no more than 90 days without a visa.
Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro
As for neighboring countries, the same regime applies to most of them. Thus, Ukrainians, Belarusians and residents of some other CIS countries will not need a visa. Provided that their visit falls within the requirements of the agreement signed by these countries.
For more detailed and up-to-date information on whether a visa to Brazil is required for citizens of other countries, it is better to look at the official website of the embassy. There you can also read the official text of the agreement to avoid misinterpretation of its provisions.
When a visa is not required
To enter Brazil in 2021 you will not need a visa:
- tourists;
- people who have received an invitation to various scientific events (seminars, congresses, conferences);
- participants of free sports and artistic events (competitions, competitions, exhibitions, etc.);
- businessmen arriving for business negotiations.
However, in order for all of the above categories of travelers to have the opportunity to cross the Brazilian border without a visa issued in accordance with all the rules at the embassy, the purpose of their visit must meet several essential conditions.
Otherwise, there is a high probability that either entry into the country will not be allowed, or, in a more serious case, the foreigner will be deported from the country for breaking the law.
However, these conditions are easy to comply with, so this is not a big problem.
The main condition according to which Russians do not need a visa to enter Brazil is the absence of material benefits received during a visit to the country. In other words, if you have no intention of doing something in the country that requires payment, then you don’t have to apply for a visa. So tourists should not hope to earn extra money during their trip; this is illegal.
Detailed map of Brazil with cities
The second condition is the short duration of the visit. A visa will not be required for those citizens of Russia, Ukrainians, etc. who do not intend to spend more than three months in Brazil. In this case, there may be several visits, but the total duration of stay in Brazil should not exceed the same three months within six months from the date of first entry. This requirement is familiar to those who visit Schengen countries.
The third point that Russians planning a visit to Brazil in 2021 must take into account is the availability of documents that must be checked at the border. Without at least one of them, it is unlikely that you will be able to get to Brazil. Border patrol officers are not inclined to show mercy to those who do not comply with the law. However, without some documents it is impossible even to leave the territory of Russia. This also needs to be taken into account.
Those who visit Brazil not for tourism purposes will also have to stock up on an invitation letter from the organization that will hold the planned event.
This is necessary in order to confirm the purpose of the visit and the foreigner’s financial interest. Such a letter is drawn up by the inviting party, and the visitor presents it at the border.
Entry to Brazil for Russians coronavirus
Brazil is open to tourists from Russia. A visa to Brazil is not required for Russians if their stay in Brazil is no more than 90 days. There are no direct flights to Brazil from Russia.
From December 30, 2021, to enter Brazil you need a negative PCR test done no earlier than 72 hours before departure to Brazil. You also need to fill out the DSV health declaration (Declaração de Saúde do Viajante), the form will be given on the plane.
Thus, in order to go to Brazil, an ordinary Russian tourist must have: 1) a passport; 2) negative Covid test taken 72 hours before departure; 3) air tickets to Brazil; 4) loot.
What is required for visa-free entry
For Russians and Ukrainians who plan to enter Brazil under the visa-free entry agreement, the following documents will be needed:
- a foreign passport valid for at least the next six months;
- tickets to Brazil and back;
- hotel confirmation of your room reservation for the entire duration of your stay;
- power of attorney if only one parent is traveling with the child.
Information about the money in your bank account will most likely not be required. According to reviews from travelers, such a document is asked extremely rarely; hotel reservations are enough. The consent of the second parent is certified by a notary and translated into Portuguese, which is the official language of Brazil (and not Spanish, as one might assume).
Visa-free entry to Brazil
Brazil attracts tourists from all over the world. The country is best known for its Olympic venues, carnival, football, and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro - there is definitely something to see for foreign travelers. But is it really necessary to apply for a visa to Brazil?
Russians wondering “do I need a visa to Brazil?” can relax - in most cases it is not required to travel to this country.
Since 2010, a special agreement has been in force between the Russian Federation and Brazil, according to which citizens of both countries have the opportunity to freely cross the border without a visa for up to 3 months.
Visa-free entry into Brazil is provided for:
- as part of a tourist trip;
- as part of a visit to the country at the invitation of relatives or friends;
- as part of a short-term business visit at the invitation of a Brazilian company that does not involve making a profit;
- as part of participation in various competitions, competitions, scientific conferences, congresses and other events.
To enter the country visa-free, you must have the following documents:
- A foreign passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country;
- Plane tickets with a fixed return date;
- Confirmation of place of residence during the entire trip - hotel reservation, rental housing, or invitation from a friend or relative;
- An invitation from the organizers confirming participation in the event (competitions, competitions, scientific conferences, congresses, etc.);
- For a short-term business trip - an invitation from the host company;
- A notarized power of attorney for minor children under 18 years of age from one (if the child is traveling with one of the parents) or both parents (if the child is traveling with a proxy).
If any document is missing during passport control, the traveler may be sent back to Russia.
It is advisable to have medical insurance with you for the entire time you are in the country, as this will greatly facilitate the procedure for receiving medical care. It is also recommended that you get vaccinated against yellow fever when visiting Brazil. However, a vaccination certificate is not a mandatory item when checking by border control officers.
Russians need a visa to Brazil only in certain cases - when they are planning a long stay in the country, getting an education, working or conducting any business activity related to making a profit, as well as living with a spouse who is a citizen of Brazil.
If necessary, Russian citizens can request an extension of the visa-free stay for a maximum of another 30 days. To do this, they submit a request to the Federal Police Service. An application for extension must be submitted in advance - at least 30 days before the end of the possible visa-free stay in the country.
Otherwise, the permit for visa-free stay may not be extended in time and the foreign citizen will have to face a choice - either leave the country on time, or violate the visa regime and face the consequences.
Also, to enter Russia for tourism purposes, a Brazilian citizen does not need to obtain a visa. In this case, the number of days of his stay in the country should not exceed 90 days.
Who needs a visa?
Anyone planning to spend more than 90 days in Brazil will have to worry about obtaining a visa. And it doesn’t matter what the purpose of your stay is: tourism, education, work or marriage. Everyone, excluding diplomats and representatives of certain professions, such as sailors, will have to collect documents and go to the Brazilian embassy or consulate.
But the visas you can get there will be different. It all depends on the purpose of the trip.
Sample of filling out an application form for a visa to Brazil
For all categories that are allowed a short-term visa-free stay in the country, as well as students, obtaining a visa is an extremely simple task. To do this, you need to fill out a form in English or Portuguese posted on the embassy’s website.
To download the application form, follow the link.
How to apply for and receive a visa to Brazil
A study and permanent visa to Brazil for Russians is issued through the consular department of the country's Embassy, which is located in Moscow at the address: st. Bolshaya Nikitskaya, 54.
The registration process is as follows:
- the applicant collects a package of necessary documents;
- On the official website of the Government of Brazil, the applicant fills out a form in Portuguese or English. The completed form is printed out by the citizen himself and a photograph is pasted onto it;
- the applicant personally visits the Brazilian Embassy in the Russian Federation; there is no appointment or electronic queue.
A work visa is issued through the Main Immigration Coordination Center. There you can also find a list of additionally provided documents. Typically, the employer is responsible for issuing and subsequently extending such a visa for a foreign worker.
In order to obtain any type of visa, a Russian applicant must provide the Consulate with the established package of basic and additional documents and pay the consular fee. After which, after 10 days, he can pick up the completed document. The citizen must pick up the visa within 30 days, otherwise it will be cancelled.
Foreigners arriving in Brazil on long-term visas are required to register with the Federal Police in Rio de Janeiro or any other city (settlement) of the country no later than 30 days from the date of arrival in the state.
Required documents
Well, provide the following documents to the diplomatic mission:
- a foreign passport with a blank page and which will be valid for another six months after the end of your visit to Brazil;
- photo for the application form;
- air tickets, including electronic ones, to Brazil and back;
- a letter of invitation from a private individual or organization, a travel agency voucher or other confirmation of the purpose and timing of the trip, place of residence.
Once all the information has been accepted, you will be able to receive a passport with a visa in six days. A fee is charged for registration, the exact amount of which in 2021 should be clarified on the official website of the embassy.
Visas to Brazil
Border crossing
When crossing the border you must present the following documents:
- international passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry
- confirmation of a hotel reservation or an invitation from an individual or legal entity (as a rule, this document is not asked for at small land crossings);
- For minor children traveling accompanied by one of the parents or third parties, it is necessary to provide a notarized power of attorney from the remaining parent, translated into Portuguese.
Applying for a visa at the consulate
To obtain a visa at the consulate, the following documents are required:
- an application form completely completed in English or Portuguese and signed by the applicant. The form is filled out online . Before filling out the form, you must carefully read the instructions of the consulate;
- a foreign passport with a validity period of at least 6 months (a blank page for affixing a visa is required);
- 1 passport size photograph;
- both ways;
- an invitation from a private person (a citizen of the country or a foreign citizen who has a residence permit in Brazil), or an invitation from a legal entity officially registered in Brazil. The invitation must indicate the personal information of the invitee (first name, surname, passport number and date of birth), the purpose of the trip, the name of the hotel or address where the invitee will reside, and the timing of the trip. The invitation must also indicate that the receiving party will bear all costs associated with the foreigner’s stay in Brazil. The invitation must be certified by a Brazilian notary and sent to the consular section of the Brazilian Embassy in Moscow by fax +7 (495) 363-0367 or email
- minors (under 18 years of age) traveling with one parent or accompanied by a third party must provide a notarized consent to travel from the second parent(s).
Note! The first border crossing into Brazil must be no later than 90 days after receiving the visa. The visa processing time is 10 days.
Photo requirements
Color photograph, size 3x4 cm. The photograph must be taken recently on a light background, without corners or ovals.
Procedure for applying for a visa
You can apply for a visa at the consular section of the Brazilian Embassy in Moscow from Monday to Friday from 14.00 to 15.00. There is no pre-registration. Personal presence when submitting documents is not necessary, however, if the passport is entered not by the owner himself or his direct relatives, but by an authorized person (courier, travel agency representative, etc.), then an additional fee is charged, currently equal to 800 rubles. When submitting documents by a third party, a notarized power of attorney from the passport holder is required.
Visa extension in Brazil
The visa is usually valid for 90 days. However, persons wishing to extend their stay in the country must submit an application for extension to the Brazilian Federal Police 30 days before the expiration of their visa.
Work visa to Brazil
Not every visa allows Russians, Ukrainians or any other foreigners to work in Brazil. By work, in this case, we mean receiving wages as an employee. Those who want to open their own business in the country do not fall into this category.
To get a work permit, you will first have to find one. It is preferable to have a rare profession or the highest qualifications. But, even without the above-mentioned advantages, you can find a potential employer who will also have to participate in obtaining a work permit for their employee in Brazil.
To do this, he will have to provide information that at least 2/3 of the staff at his enterprise are Brazilian citizens, and their salary level is not lower than that of other employees. And he will also have to prove that the existing vacancy cannot be filled except by inviting a foreign specialist.
And only after checking all this information and receiving permission from the Brazilian government, you can go and submit documents to get the required stamp in your passport.
The process of submitting documents is similar to obtaining a tourist visa. You just have to supplement the package of information submitted with a certificate of no criminal record. Well, pay a fee of 100 Brazilian reais. A work visa is issued for 10 days.
How to get a visa to Brazil on your own?
You can independently apply for a visa to Brazil at the consular departments of the Brazilian Embassy located in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
If a foreigner intends to officially work, engage in even one-time commerce, charity, or perform other work in the field of science or religion, he will need a visa to Brazil.
It is necessary to do this even if the trip combines a working and friendly purpose of visit, and also if the plans include staying in the territory of this country for a longer period of time than 90 days. To avoid unnecessary red tape, for permanent or long-term residence in the country and engaging in any activity, you should not spare time and effort, but immediately obtain a visa.
A Brazilian visa can be obtained from embassies, consulates or visa centers.
Preparation of documents
To apply for a visa at the consular department of the embassy, you need to know what documents are needed for a visa to Brazil and present the necessary package of papers.
| Document type | Requirements |
| Basic package of documents | |
| international passport | Must be valid for another six months from the date of entry. |
| Visa application form | Fill out online on this page, print and submit with a personal signature and pasted photo. |
| Photo | The photograph should be 3 by 4 cm in size, and the face should be clearly visible. It is better to take an image in a professional photography salon. Pasted into the form |
| Certificate of no criminal record | Original + copy. Issued at departments of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation or at the MFC. |
| Ticket reservation | Round trip indicating the date of entry and exit. |
| Additional package of documents depending on the purpose of the trip | |
| Tourist visa ( VITUR ) | |
| Document confirming solvency | An extract from a bank account or card for the last three months, a certificate from work indicating salary, will be suitable. |
| Document confirming place of residence | Hotel reservation or letter of invitation with a notarized signature from a Brazilian citizen |
| Visa for travel for cultural and educational purposes ( VITEM I ) | |
| Document confirming solvency | An extract from a bank account or card for the last three months, a certificate from work indicating salary, will be suitable. |
| Letter on behalf of the inviting organization | Must indicate the purpose of the trip and confirm that the invited foreign national will not receive remuneration from any Brazilian financial source. The letter must be notarized. |
| Study visa (VITEMIV) | |
| Certificate of complete secondary education | With an apostille from the state of origin of the document |
| Document confirming successful completion of entrance exams | A document showing successful completion of the candidate selection process in accordance with the regulations of the Brazilian Ministry of Education is also suitable. |
| Copy of the order (edit) of the university | About the conduct of entrance examinations or the candidate selection process. |
| Document confirming the applicant's enrollment in the university | With the signature and seal of the university. |
| Document confirming solvency | A document confirming that the applicant has been awarded a study scholarship, or a bank account statement or card showing sufficient financial resources to stay in Brazil for the relevant period of study will be suitable. |
| Work visa (VITEM V) | |
| Letter of invitation from a Brazilian company | The letter must contain information about the legal basis of the labor relationship with the foreign specialist and the nature of the technical assistance services provided to him, as well as confirmation that the specified foreign specialist does not have permanent employment in Brazil. Certified by a notary. |
| Certificate of registration of the inviting company | The inviting company must be registered with the National Register of Legal Entities (Cadastro Nacional de Pessoas Jurídicas - CNPJ). |
It is important to know! They take with them a certain amount of money (100 Brazilian reais at the current rate of Sberbank of Russia) to pay the fee. No other additional fees will be charged.
Next, candidates wait for a response. Permission or refusal to enter is accepted on average within 10 days. You need to understand that consular officers will definitely check the accuracy of all information provided about the person’s identity. If problems arise, the period for consideration of the application increases.
Health insurance in Brazil
There is one nuance that is taken into account before obtaining a visa to Brazil. This friendly country includes many states into whose territory you may not be allowed to enter without a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. The authorities pay close attention to compliance with sanitary rules. For your own health, it is better to take out a medical policy in the amount of 30 thousand euros.
To obtain medical insurance for Brazil, we recommend using the service cherehapa.ru
You can find out prices for travel insurance for Brazil for 2 people using the form below:
Visa to Brazil for a child
You do not need to apply for a separate visa to Brazil for your child.
Some citizens take their children on the trip. Parents do not need a visa to Brazil for them, because... Children cannot carry out any commercial activities.
The exception is a trip for educational purposes. In this case, a special study visa is issued.
For independent flights, children will have to present a notarized power of attorney; it will be certified and translated into an international language by a licensed translator.
You must take the child's birth certificate with you. If at the time of travel the child is already 14 years old, his personal documents (passport) must be shown at the border. If a young tourist travels with a parent, he must be included in his passport or have his own.
Director and Investor Visa
These two types of long-term stay permits in Brazil will be useful to those who are going to this country for permanent residence.
Example of a permanent residence card in Brazil
True, to obtain such a visa you will have to make a substantial contribution to the Brazilian economy in the form of an investment in the creation of a business project. The minimum amount is 150,000 local currency units. Moreover, the investor can be either an individual or an existing company, including an offshore one.
In the first case, an investor visa will be obtained. It is valid for three years and can be extended indefinitely. But this process is quite lengthy, taking about six months. And all this time, the company in which the investment is made must demonstrate its importance to the Brazilian economy.
This is what a Brazilian visa looks like
A director's visa will be issued to a representative of a legal entity-investor for 5 years. There is a gradation according to the size of investments in the Brazilian economy. If the investment size is equal to the minimum value indicated above, then in order to obtain permission to reside in the country, the manager must create or guarantee the creation of at least 10 jobs for local residents. And if the investment amount is four times larger, then this requirement is removed.
Cost and processing time
Visa-free entry and its extension for tourists from Russia do not require any fees. However, the prices for special visas are as follows:
- Educational VITEM IV - 3200 rubles;
- Business VITEM-II - 5600 rubles;
- Working VITEM V - 8000 rubles;
- Permanent VIPER - 16,000 rubles.
It is important to remember that paying the document processing fee does not guarantee that Russian citizens will be issued a visa. In case of refusal of extradition, consular fees will not be reimbursed.
Any special Brazilian visa is processed within 10 working days. A visa may be canceled if the applicant does not pick up his passport with a ready-made stamp at the Consulate within 30 days.
Obtaining a visa for retirees
Retirees wishing to live for some time in the warm Brazilian climate can count on obtaining a special visa. True, for this they will have to confirm their solvency. Therefore, to obtain a visa, pensioners will have to take care of information from the pension fund confirming the level of their monthly income and the consent of the credit institution (bank) to transfer this money to Brazil.
Sample Brazilian visa for retirees
A pensioner can bring members of his family with him to Brazil. Then the amount of his income should be enough to support them too. And if they want to work, they will have to worry about obtaining a work permit on their own. The process for obtaining a retirement visa takes quite a long time and rarely coincides with the official deadlines. Then pensioners can apply for a residence permit in Brazil.
Validity and registration deadlines
Often, obtaining a long-term visa does not take more than 10 days. The consulate notifies the person that the permit is ready. But there is one caveat: if the applicant does not pick up the visa within a month from the date of notification, it will be cancelled.
At the Brazilian diplomatic mission in Ukraine, a visa is issued within one week. In Astana, the period for opening an entry permit is extended to two weeks.
A business permit requires staying in the country for 90 days. If you have a study visa, you can stay in Brazil for up to a year. This type of permit can also be renewed once.
With a work visa you can stay in Brazil for 2 years, and a permanent permit provides the right to stay in this state for up to 9 years.
In what cases is a visa to Brazil required?
In some cases, a visa to Brazil will still be required. This is necessary if:
- the purpose of the business trip is to make a profit;
- a citizen arrives in Brazil to take up a job;
- the purpose of the trip is an internship or study at universities in the country;
- scientific workers come to conduct scientific research;
- the citizen is going to do charity work;
- the purpose of the trip is missionary or religious activity.
A visa is required if you need to stay in the country for longer than 3 months.
Depending on the purpose of the visit, visas are distinguished:
- Business . Issued to businessmen if they come to the country to organize and conduct a business that will generate income. This visa is issued for 90 days with the possibility of extending the period once.
- Working . It is easier to obtain a visa if a specialist comes to provide technical assistance. In this case, you can stay in Brazil for 3 months. To get a job in a Brazilian organization, you must first obtain a work permit. If it is issued, you can apply for a work visa for more than 3 months. It can be obtained not only by hired workers, but also by professional athletes, teachers, sailors, and specialists who undergo internships at Brazilian enterprises.
- Educational . The visa is issued to students wishing to study at schools or universities in the country, as well as to persons studying Portuguese in courses. The document gives the right to stay in the country for 1 year. The visa can then be extended. Visa extension is not carried out only for students who came to the country as part of a school exchange program.
- Cultural and educational . Involves visiting a country to participate in educational or cultural events. However, the Brazilian side does not pay scholarships or cash bonuses to foreigners. This visa can be obtained for 2 years and then extended.
- Volunteer . The visa is intended for persons entering the country on a volunteer mission. However, non-governmental or religious organizations that send volunteers to Brazil do not receive monetary compensation from Brazilian organizations. The visa allows you to stay in the country for 2 years, then it can be extended.
- Constant . Residence permits are issued to relatives of persons legally residing in Brazil. The residence permit is canceled if the citizen stays outside the state for more than 2 years.
Entry with children
According to the law, children who were registered with their parents before March 2010 have the right to cross the Brazilian border using their parent's document. But this rule only applies to children under 14 years of age. If the child is older than this age, he must have his own travel document.
If a child under 18 years of age leaves for Brazil for the purpose of studying unaccompanied by parents, then papers confirming the presence of a guarantor in this country are submitted to the consulate.
If a child enters this state accompanied by a third party, then a power of attorney from both parents is required. When a child enters Brazil with one parent, there is no need to issue a power of attorney from the second parent.
