Brazil eVisa for U.S. Citizens: Cost, Processing Time, Validity, and the Mistakes That Get Applications Sent Back

Since April 2025, U.S. citizens have needed a visa to enter Brazil, and for almost everyone the right one is the eVisa: an electronic visa applied for online, approved by a Brazilian consulate, and delivered as a PDF you print and carry. It is not expensive and it is not slow — but it is unforgiving about documents, and a returned application can push you past your departure date. This guide covers the official cost, the realistic timeline, how long the visa lasts, and the specific mistakes that get Brazil eVisa applications kicked back.

Who can use the Brazil eVisa

The eVisa is available only to citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia holding those countries' passports (official portal FAQ). Dual nationals must apply with the passport they will actually travel on. Everyone else who needs a visa applies at a Brazilian consulate for the traditional consular visa. If you already hold a valid Brazilian consular visa issued before the eVisa launched, it remains valid until its own expiry.

How much the Brazil eVisa costs

The fee is paid by card inside the official portal, brazil.vfsevisa.com, and has been US$80.90 per applicant since the program launched. Two points to note:

• The fee is non-refundable if the visa is refused or the application is abandoned.
• Any site charging more than the portal fee is a third-party service. Only brazil.vfsevisa.com submits to Brazilian consulates, and it is the only site where your payment goes to the visa itself.

How long the eVisa takes

The portal's own FAQ says consular posts may take up to 10 business days to process an application once it has been completed, verified for accuracy, and forwarded to the responsible consulate. That verification step is where time hides: if the portal's reviewers find a problem with your photo, passport scan, or financial document, the application is returned to you and the ten-day clock does not start until you fix it. Plan for two to three weeks from first submission to approval and, as the portal itself advises, do not buy non-refundable tickets before the visa is issued.

Validity and length of stay

For U.S. citizens the eVisa mirrors the old consular visa: valid for 10 years, multiple entry, with stays of up to 90 days per visit, which can be extended in Brazil to a maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period. The portal FAQ confirms the eVisa and the consular visa "have the same validity and allow multiple entries." The visa is linked to your passport number, so a new passport means a new eVisa, and it is never physically stamped into the passport. Business travelers and tourists use the same eVisa; the purpose selected simply must match your activities, and paid work in Brazil is not permitted on either.

What you need to upload

• Passport bio page, from a passport valid for at least six months past your arrival date. Read our explainer on the six-month rule if yours is close.
• A recent passport-style photo meeting the portal's specification — plain light background, no glasses, neutral expression.
• Proof of funds: a recent bank statement or credit-card statement showing your name, or a sponsor letter with the sponsor's statement.
• Travel details: intended arrival date and, for business travel, an invitation or company letter describing the visit.
• Minors additionally need a birth certificate and parental authorization.

The mistakes that get Brazil eVisa applications returned

1. Photo failures. Selfies, shadows, patterned backgrounds, glare on glasses, and cropped heads are the top reason for a "correction required" notice. A compliant digital photo from our photo service avoids the round-trip.
2. Passport scan quality. The full bio page must be legible, uncropped, and in color. Phone photos taken at an angle are rejected.
3. Financial document mismatches. The statement must show the applicant's name and a recent date. Screenshots without account-holder details are bounced.
4. Name and date typos. The eVisa must match your passport exactly. Airlines check it against your booking at check-in.
5. Applying too late. With a two-week rejection cycle possible, applications started inside ten days of departure are a gamble.
6. Forgetting to print it. Airlines and Brazilian immigration expect a printed copy of the approved eVisa PDF alongside your passport.

eVisa or consular visa?

For U.S. citizens the eVisa is the default. A consulate appointment is needed only for cases the eVisa cannot handle — long-term study, work, family reunion, or when the portal refuses an application and the consulate asks for an in-person interview. If you are unsure which category your trip falls into, our background piece on Brazil's visa requirement for U.S. citizens walks through the categories, and our Brazil visa page shows current options and starts a document review before anything is submitted.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Brazil eVisa for U.S. citizens?

US$80.90 per applicant, paid by card on the official portal brazil.vfsevisa.com. The fee is non-refundable if the visa is refused.

How long does the Brazil eVisa take to be approved?

Up to 10 business days of consular processing after the application is verified and forwarded, according to the official portal. Allow two to three weeks in total in case a document is returned for correction.

How long is the Brazil eVisa valid?

For U.S. citizens, 10 years with multiple entries, allowing stays of up to 90 days per visit and up to 180 days per 12-month period. It is tied to the passport you applied with.

Can I travel to Brazil with just my passport as a U.S. citizen?

No. Since April 2025 U.S. citizens need a visa. The eVisa is the standard option for tourism and business; only a few categories still require a consular visa.

Do I need to print the Brazil eVisa?

Yes. The portal instructs travelers to download and print the approved PDF and have it ready at boarding and on arrival in Brazil.

Sources and last reviewed

Last reviewed: September 4, 2026. Fees, validity periods, and processing times in this guide come from the official sources below and were current on that date. Always confirm against the issuing authority before you pay a government fee.

• Brazil eVisa & eTA — Official portal operated by VFS Global for the Brazilian government
• Brazil eVisa official portal — Arriving in country / FAQ (processing, eligibility)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil (Itamaraty) — visa information for U.S. citizens via the consular network

About Peninsula Visa

Peninsula Visa is a San Francisco-based immigration and travel documentation services company founded in 1975. With over five decades of experience, Peninsula Visa provides comprehensive visa processing, passport services, OCI applications, Global Entry assistance, apostille authentication, and more to individuals, families, and businesses across the United States. Peninsula Visa is known for its high approval rates, expert guidance, and end-to-end client support.

Government fees, validity periods, and processing times are set by the issuing authorities and change without notice. This guide is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with the official source before you travel.