How to Apply for a Brazil Visa in Mobile

Brazil – the largest country in South America – has something for every tourist, from legendary festivals and vibrant urban culture and to iconic beaches and the largest rainforest and waterfall systems on Earth.  Mobile-based businesspeople and investors are also drawn to the growth opportunities presented by the third-largest economy in the Americas.

“One of the world’s most dazzling destinations, Brazil is packed with steamy rainforests, tropical savannas, wetlands, and exciting cities,” Lonely Planet reported. “The ecosystems found in this giant of South America are home to the largest collection of plant and animal species found anywhere in the world.  But even if exploring the natural world is not top of your Brazil to-do list, plenty of life can be found in the country’s musical metropolises, too.  When it comes to relaxing, Brazil has sand to spare: 2,095 beaches, to be precise, dotting its 7,242km (4,500-mile) Atlantic coastline.” (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-brazil)

The Federative Republic of Brazil encompasses 3.2 million square miles, covering almost half of the continent plus several nearby islands.  The nation borders every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.  Brazil’s diverse culture blends European, African, and indigenous influences that reflect its history and environment.  The population of 211 million is the second largest in the Western Hemisphere and comprises the largest group of Portuguese speakers in the world.  Portuguese explorers landed in Brazil in 1500, claiming the land and establishing a colony that lasted more than 300 years.  In 1822, Brazil became independent from Portugal.  A variety of governments followed, with the current democratic federal republic created in 1988.

Over time, Brazil has evolved into an upper-middle-income country.  Its $2.2 trillion GDP represents the largest economy in the Southern Hemisphere and ranks among the world’s 10 largest.  Vast natural resources power robust agricultural, mining, and manufacturing industries that produce coffee, cotton, sugar, gold, steel, oil and gas, automobiles, machinery, and much more.

“With the largest consumer market and GDP in South America, Brazil is an excellent market for experienced U.S. exporters seeking to tap into its diversified economy,” the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) stated.  Brazil is the United States’ second largest trading partner and the ninth largest export market for U.S. products and services at more than $75 billion.  Top sectors for exports and investments for Mobile area companies include agriculture, civil aviation, information technology, healthcare, oil and gas, safety and security, and telecommunications. “However, U.S. exporters across a wide array of industries continue to achieve success as a result of Brazil’s diversified domestic market and demand for international products, as well as a favorable view of technology and brands coming from the United States.” (https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/brazil-market-overview)

Although tourism infrastructure is not as well developed in Brazil as in other countries, it still represents a significant and growing sector of the economy.  Travel and tourism contributed 7.8% of Brazil’s GDP in 2024, reaching $169.3 billion and supporting more than eight million jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).  In recent years, the United States has typically ranked first or second as the top source for visitors to Brazil, and trailing only neighboring Argentina in 2024.  

Most visitors from the Mobile area start in Rio de Janeiro, the most visited destination in Brazil by foreign tourists and second by business travelers.  Rio is world renown for the exotic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, cable car tours over the beaches, and the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking the city.  Brazil is famous for freewheeling festivals, carnivals, and cultural events, with Rio’s Carnivale ranking as the largest in the world with more than two million daily attendees.  The cultural hub of Brazil, Rio blends Colonial-era churches and modern buildings with such landmarks as the Theatro Municipal, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Carmen Miranda Museum, and Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens.  While Rio is the second largest city in Brazil, the largest is Sao Paulo -- also the largest city in the Americas.  Cosmopolitan Sao Paulo is known hip and trendy neighborhoods, zoos, aquariums, cultural festivals, museums, theaters, and opera houses.  In 1960, Brazil’s capital was relocated from Rio to the planned city of Brasilia.  Now the country’s third-largest city, Brasilia features modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and contemporary shopping centers.  Visit Salvador to deeply experience the country’s Afro-Brazilian culture and religion.

While some travelers favor restaurants, clubs, amusement parks, and similar urban attractions, other Mobile-based travelers come to Brazil for its natural wonders.  The Amazon River is the world’s second-longest and its basin holds the world’s largest rainforest – and the largest collection of animals and plants on Earth.  In the Pantanal region -- the world’s largest wetland -- you can track rare jaguars.  Brazil’s geographic diversity stretches from northeastern coastal deserts through jungle mountains to the Pampas Plains in the south.  The country has more than 75 national parks and 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ranging from Jesuit missions and historic town centers to the Brazilian Atlantic Islands and Igaucu Falls -- the largest waterfall system on the planet.  Visit Geopark Palcorrota to see paleontological fossils dating back more than 200 million years.

Bonito is considered the ecotourism capital of Brazil.  You can snorkel, scuba dive, explore caves, mountain bike, raft, splash in waterfalls, or hike through nature preserves with monkeys, anteaters, and emus.  You can also surf and spot whales in Praia do Rosa, kitesurf at Ceara or Cumbuco, watch birds in the Atlantic Forest, or simply relax on tropical islands such as Ilha Grande or Ilha do Mel.

Requirements for Entering Brazil

American visitors to Brazil increased dramatically after Brazil waived the requirement for U.S. passport holders to obtain a visa in 2017.  However, recent geopolitical changes have led Brazil to reinstate the visa requirement for U.S. visitors, regardless of the type of travel.  Effective April 10, 2025, Brazil is introducing a new electronic visa (e-Visa) which passport holders from the United States, Canada, and Australia must obtain to enter the “Land of the Palms.”

Visa requirements have not changed for citizens of other countries, although more countries may become eligible for the e-Visa program in the future.  Foreign residents from certain countries are still visa-exempt for visits generally ranging from 30 to 90 days.  However, passport holders from China, India, and many other countries who reside in the Mobile area must obtain a visa from the Brazilian consulate that serves their region.  For a current list of visa requirements by country, visit https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/assuntos/portal-consular/QGRVsimplesing16FEB24.pdf.

The main requirement for obtaining a visa is holding a valid passport with an expiration date at least six months beyond your entry date.  The U.S. State Department also advises visitors to exercise increased caution due to the risk of crime in some areas. “Violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common in urban areas, day and night. Gang activity and organized crime is widespread.” (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html) The department also discourages travel to “any areas within 150 km/100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay due to crime.”

 

Option 1: Online Electronic Visa (U.S, Canada, Australia)

Beginning April 10, 2025, passport holders from the United States, Canada, and Australia living in the Mobile area must apply for and obtain an e-Visa for most travel to Brazil.  The Consulate General of Brazil will no longer accept traditional consulate-based visas for citizens of these three countries for tourism and business trips.  The e-Visa will allow you to enter Brazil multiple times over a 10-year period, and stay up to 90 days per trip. (NOTE: If you have already obtained a physical visa for an upcoming trip, you can still use that visa until it expires.)

You apply for the e-Visa online through VFS Global, the Brazilian government’s contractor.  The application form and instructions are available at https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/.  You can apply using your mobile phone or computer.  You must provide:

  • Completed online application.
  • Scanned color copy of your passport information page, preferably in JPEG format.
  • Digital photo.
  • Bank statement showing applicant’s name and a minimum ending balance of $2,000, preferably in PDF format.
  • Flight itinerary showing applicant’s name.
  • Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Brazil.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒Order Now.

The process to apply for and receive an e-Visa is:

  • Complete the online application and upload supporting documentation.
  • Pay fees totaling $80.90 for U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens. The government visa fee is $80; the VFS service fee is 90 cents.  You can use a Visa, MasterCard, or debit card.
  • Receive decision via VFS Global. The average processing time is five days once fees are paid.  You will receive an email confirming your application status: approved, rejected, or more information is required.  If you are approved, you will receive a PDF containing the e-Visa by email.
  • Download and print your e-Visa and take it on your trip. If you do not present your e-Visa at the airport, you will not be permitted to board.  Upon arrival in Brazil, present your passport and e-Visa to immigration officials at the airport, cruise port, or land border.

Each person in your party must obtain an e-Visa.  You can include up to 10 family members in the same application.  Parents can submit applications for their minor children.  Brazil also requires written permission from at least one parent for minor children to enter the country.  The parental authorization form and additional requirements can be found under “minor children” at https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/information.

Business travelers must also submit a letter from a U.S. or Brazilian company outlining details about the company, the traveler, and the purpose of the visit.  Specific details can be found under “business” at https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/information.

 

Option 2: Physical Consulate-Issued Visa

Citizens of countries living in the Mobile area who are not eligible for the e-Visa (or U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens traveling for reasons other than tourism or business) must apply for a physical visa through the consulate that serves their area.  Brazil has a consulate in Washington, D.C., and ten other consulates around the United States.  The Atlanta consulate serves residents of Mobile and others living in Alabama.  If you live outside the Atlanta service area, check the list at https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-washington/jurisdiction to see which office has jurisdiction over your state.

The consulate in Atlanta accepts visa applications for several different travel purposes, including:

  • Visit Visas (VIVIS)
  • Study
  • Work
  • Retirement
  • Artistic or athletic activities
  • Digital nomads
  • Family reunion
  • Investment
  • Research, teaching or academic extension
  • Religious activities
  • Volunteer services
  • Diplomatic, official and courtesy visas

Details on each type of visa can be found by clicking on the links at https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-atlanta/servicos-consulares/visa.  Fees vary by country of passport and are listed on those linked pages.  The application form can be found at the bottom of this site: https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/ui/#/instrucoes-iniciais-visto.

For example, the visit visa is issued to foreigners traveling to Brazil for up to 90 days without purposes of immigration or most paid activities.  Visit visas can be granted for those traveling for tourism, business, transit, artistic or sports activities, study, volunteer work, or to attend to conferences, seminars or meetings, among other purposes - provided there is no remuneration in Brazil and the stay does not exceed 90 days. (Again, the visit visa is no longer available for U.S., Canadian and Australian business and leisure travelers.)  Fees for most Visit Visas are $80, but are higher for a few countries (such as $115 for China).

Requirements for the visit visa include:

  • Original passport with at least two blank pages.
  • Copy of proof of residence in the US (visa or Green Card).
  • Utility bill or driver's license in applicant's name.
  • Printed and signed Visa Application Form.
  • Passport photo (2”x 2”, white background).
  • Flight confirmation showing entrance into and exit from Brazil.
  • Printed bank statements from the last three months showing adequate funds for travel.
  • US Postal Service money order made payable to the Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta (or other consulate if you are outside the Atlanta office’s jurisdiction).
  • Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Brazil.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒Order Now.

Additional Visit Visa requirements that apply for business travelers and minor children are similar to those listed in the e-Visa section.  Also, applicants who are citizens of several countries have additional requirements, as shown https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-atlanta/servicos-consulares/visas/visit-visas-vivis.

You can apply in person at the consulate or by mail.  If you apply in person, no appointment is necessary.  Just bring your documentation and money order in a sealed/closed envelope and drop it off at the consulate Monday through Friday, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  It typically takes several weeks for the consulate to review and process applications.  The address is shown below; their phone number is (404) 949-2400.

Once your application is processed, you can retrieve your documents from the consulate between 1-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.  Alternately, you can leave a self-addressed, pre-paid return envelope (Priority or Priority Express flat-rate only) from the U.S. Postal Service and the consulate will mail you your materials.

You can also mail your application, supporting documentation, and fee payment to:

Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta - Visa Section
3500 Lenox Rd NE, Suite 800
One Alliance Center
Atlanta, GA 30326

For mail-in applications, “Applicants must also include an additional self-addressed, pre-paid return envelope (Priority or Priority Express flat-rate only) from the U.S. Postal Service envelope,” the consulate noted. “This envelope will be used to return the visa to the applicant, and may be folded in half to fit inside the original sending envelope.  Return envelopes with addresses outside The United States will not be accepted.”

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Mobile or anywhere in the state of Alabama and have difficulty applying for a visa to visit Brazil, or require assistance with any part of the process, you can call our office at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment online at the link on this page.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Brazil visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Brazil.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

We provide the following Brazil visa services for our customers in Mobile:

  • Brazil Tourist Visa
  • Brazil Business Visa
  • Brazil Student Visa
  • Brazil Work Visa
  • Brazil Retirement Visa
  • Brazil Digital Nomad Visa
  • Brazil Medical Insurance
  • Brazil Hotel Accommodations
  • Brazil Flight Tickets
  • Brazil Tour Packages