Visiting Brazil? Visa Requirement for Business or to Work Remotely

The Brazilian government allows U.S. citizens to enter Brazil as visitors for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without a visa. This has been good for tourism, but the lack of reciprocity rankles, as Brazilians must still apply for a visa in order to visit the United States.  

Over the past several years, Brazil has decided to reintroduce visa requirements for U.S. citizens (as well as Australians and Canadians). But the implementation of this change continues to be postponed, most recently until April 10, 2024, to avoid interfering with Brazil’s high tourist season. In connection with the anticipated implementation of the visa requirement, Brazil began accepting online e-visa applications in early December 2023. E-visas will cost approximately U.S.$81 ($80.00 plus $0.90 service fee) per person and will be valid for multiple entries over a five-year period once issued.

Despite this upcoming tightening of visa requirement for U.S. visitors, and in light of the cross-border remote work and global mobility trend ever since COVID-19 started, Brazil now has a relatively simple solution for individuals who wish to work remotely from Brazil, i.e., a digital nomad visa process for those who are self-employed or who would like to live in Brazil while working remotely for a company abroad. To be eligible, an individual must prove their employment, a minimum monthly income of approximately U.S.$1,500.00 or availability of bank funds in the minimum amount of US $18,000 at the time of application and must also have health insurance coverage. Digital nomad visas are issued for one year and can be extended for another year. Applications must be made at the closest Brazilian consulate and are typically processed in two to four weeks.

All estimated fees or processing times are subject to change depending on respective government processing changes.

If you have questions, Jackson Lewis attorneys in our immigration and international employment practice groups are available to assist with the requirements and decisions necessary for employees’ business travel, temporary remote work abroad and permanent international transfers.