Visas

In terms of foreigners entering the country, Brazil practices a policy of reciprocity. This means that if your country requires Brazilians to have travel visas, you will have to get a visa from the nearest Brazilian consulate before entering Brazil. To date, citizens of Canada, the United States, and Australia require visas. Citizens of the United Kingdom (and other European Union countries) and New Zealand don’t need visas, but do need a passport that is valid for six months and a return ticket. Upon arrival, you’ll be given a 90-day tourist visa.

Various types of visas are available. What differs is the cost, processing time, and documentation necessary. Currently, a single-entry tourist visa that has a validity of 90 days costs US$100 for Americans, CDN$90 for Canadians, and A$90 for Australians. Count on 1–2 weeks for processing. You’ll need to submit a passport photo, show proof of a return ticket, and can often only pay with a money order.

All visitors who arrive in Brazil and go through customs will receive an entry form, which you should not lose. You’ll need to hand it back to the Polícia Federal when leaving the country. Should you want to extend your stay, you can renew your visa, 15 days before it expires, at the visa section of the Polícia Federal headquarters in any major city. The fee for renewal is the equivalent of US$10. If you overextend the 180-day limit, you won’t be deported, but you will pay a fine.

The federal police headquarters is also where you should head if your passport is lost or stolen. You’ll need to make a report in order to get a temporary travel document from your consulate. Then you’ll need to return once again to the Polícia Federal to receive an official stamp.

Artists and/or academics who are coming to Brazil for a short time are better off traveling on a tourist visa. Those with a long-term research or study project will need to apply for a visto temporário, which can be issued for six months, one year, or even two years. To get one, you must be sponsored by a recognized Brazilian educational institution confirming your project. Processing can take several months.

Before coming to Brazil, make copies of your passport. Also bring a second photo ID with you. By law, in Brazil you are always required to have a picture ID. In many circumstances—from renting headphones in a museum to entering an office building—you will need to show or even leave your ID.

Customs

At Brazilian customs (alfândega), officials are generally more interested in Brazilians who went on major shopping sprees abroad than foreign visitors. However, since checks are random, you might find your luggage being inspected. Visitors can bring in objects for their own personal use, including cameras and laptop. If they are new, you may be asked to register the item to make sure you take it with you when you leave. (It’s a good idea to bring receipts for new items.)

If you’re bringing things for Brazilian friends, keep them to a minimum (i.e., don’t show up with four digital cameras, five iPods, and two laptops). Should you be discovered, you will end up paying duty on them. Gifts purchased overseas that are worth more than US$500 should be declared.

Before heading to customs, you might want to start shopping at the airport duty-free shops (yes, you can purchase duty-free upon arrival as well as prior to departure), where you can indulge in up to US$500 of purchases. Prices are quite competitive, particularly items such as alcohol and perfume. Should you be visiting with any Brazilians on your trip, the gift of a fine bottle of imported whiskey will earn you their undying gratitude.

Brazilian Embassies and Consulates

The Brazilian Embassy in the United States is in Washington, D.C. (tel. 202/238-2700, www.brasilemb.org). You’ll also find main consulates in New York (tel. 917/777-7777, www.brazilny.org), Miami (tel. 305/285-6200, www.brazilmiami.org), and Los Angeles (tel. 323/651-2664, www.brazilianconsulate.org).

In Canada, the Brazilian Embassy is in Ottawa (tel. 613/237-1090, www.brasembottawa.com) and the main consulate is in Toronto (tel. 416/922-2503, www.consbrastoronto.org). In Britain, the embassy is in London (tel. 020/7499-0877, www.brazil.org.uk). In Australia, it is in Canberra (tel. 02/6273-2372, www.brazil.org.au).

Foreign Consulates and Embassies in Brazil

Foreign embassies are all located in Brasília, while major consulates are found in both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Smaller consulates can be found in state capitals such as Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador, and Manaus. For specific numbers and listings, check the main embassy web pages:

• Australian Embassy
• tel. 61/3248-5569
• www.brazil.embassy.gov.au

• British Embassy
• tel. 61/3325-2710
• www.ukinbrazil.fco.gov.uk

• Canadian Embassy
• tel. 61/3321-2171
• www.canada.org.br

• United States Embassy
• tel. 61/3321-7272
• www.embaixada-americana.org.br

Consulates in Rio de Janeiro

• Australia
• Av. Presidente Wilson 231, Suite 23, Centro
• tel. 21/3824-4624
• Canada
• Av. Atlântica 1130, 5th floor, Copacabana
• tel. 21/2543-3004
• United Kingdom
• Praia do Flamengo 284, Flamengo
• tel. 21/2555-9600
• United States
• Av. Presidente Wilson 147, Centro
• tel. 21/3823-2000

Consulates in São Paulo

• Australia
• Alameda Ministro Rocha Azevedo 456, Jardim Paulista
• tel. 11/3085-6247
• Canada
• Av. das Nações Unidas 12901, 16th floor
• tel. 11/5509-4321
• United Kingdom
• Rua Ferreira de Araujo 741
• tel. 11/3094-2700
• United States
• Rua Henri Dunant 500, Chácara Santo Antônio
• tel. 11/5186-7000

© Michael Sommers from Moon Brazil, 2nd Edition