The Visitor Visas Exemption in Brazil for Canadians, Australians, Japanese and U.S. Citizens
June 18, 2019

Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
By: Diana Quintas
Nationals from different countries need either a tourist or business visa to enter Brazil. A welcoming piece of news from an immigration perspective is that the visitor visa exemption for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan that took effect on June 17.
The development is a part of the various initiatives that the Brazilian authorities have taken in recent times to simplify the visa and immigration processes. In 2018, an electronic visa platform was launched to offer a more expedited and seamless process to nationals of the above-mentioned countries. According to Forbes Magazine “Since its implementation in 2018, the e-visa program reportedly has resulted in a 35 percent increase in visa applications for visiting Brazil.”
For businesses, the exemption facilitates the mobility of businesspeople and professionals from a wide range of industries that come to Brazil for short visits (up to 180 days) to attend meetings, events, and fairs.
However, as its name states, the visitor visa is intended only for visiting the country and several other situations are not exempt from the analysis of the Brazilian authorities. There are several types of work and investment visas and each of them presupposes a few requirements. A professional who works in the technical area and come to the country to repair a machine or an executive who comes to implant a management practice need to apply for a work visa. Whoever comes to invest in the country also continues to need authorization.
For work and investor activities, authorization from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security is still required and Canadians, Australians, Japanese and Americans will still need work or an investment visa after June 17.
How we can help?
Our team in Brazil is experienced in various aspects of immigration strategy. Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions with regards to migration, talent mobility and doing business in Brazil from an immigration standpoint.
Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger examines how wage-driven selection mechanisms in programs such as the H-1B lottery and PERM can create incentives for artificial wage inflation and introduce new compliance and workforce planning challenges for employers.
Media mentions
Director Gemma Hyslop examines how collaboration across the global mobility sector can help strengthen legal pathways and support for migrant women experiencing abuse.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discussed immigration and duty-of-care challenges for employers amid Middle East travel disruptions.
Awards
Partner Sarah K. Peterson is recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2026 Women in Business honoree for her professional achievements and contributions to the Twin Cities business community.
Media mentions
Immigration Manager Alice Heron explains how HR teams can navigate Irish immigration law and manage international talent effectively.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno and Immigration Consultant Devina Sanghera outline what the proposed expansion of the UK Right to Work Scheme means for housebuilders.
Awards
Partner Cynthia Shearn is recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business in its 2026 Notable Women in Law list, honoring her leadership in immigration and global mobility and her impact within the legal community.
Media mentions
Partner Emily Allen says the new H-1B lottery is driving earlier planning and more detailed preparation.
Blog post
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
Media mentions
Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger examines how wage-driven selection mechanisms in programs such as the H-1B lottery and PERM can create incentives for artificial wage inflation and introduce new compliance and workforce planning challenges for employers.
Media mentions
Director Gemma Hyslop examines how collaboration across the global mobility sector can help strengthen legal pathways and support for migrant women experiencing abuse.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discussed immigration and duty-of-care challenges for employers amid Middle East travel disruptions.
Awards
Partner Sarah K. Peterson is recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2026 Women in Business honoree for her professional achievements and contributions to the Twin Cities business community.
Media mentions
Immigration Manager Alice Heron explains how HR teams can navigate Irish immigration law and manage international talent effectively.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno and Immigration Consultant Devina Sanghera outline what the proposed expansion of the UK Right to Work Scheme means for housebuilders.
Awards
Partner Cynthia Shearn is recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business in its 2026 Notable Women in Law list, honoring her leadership in immigration and global mobility and her impact within the legal community.
Media mentions
Partner Emily Allen says the new H-1B lottery is driving earlier planning and more detailed preparation.
Blog post
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
Media mentions
Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.

