In a move that could reshape travel patterns and business ties between South America and Asia, Brazil has announced it will waive short-stay visa requirements for citizens of China, facilitating travel for tourism, business, family visits, academic exchanges and transit trips.
The decision, communicated by the Brazilian government on January 23, 2026, follows a period in which China has already granted visa-free entry to Brazilian passport holders for short stays — a policy in place since June 2025 and extended through the end of 2026.
Under the planned Brazilian policy, ordinary Chinese passport holders will be able to enter Brazil without a visa for stays of up to about 30 days, covering key non-remunerated purposes such as sightseeing, business meetings, visiting relatives and attending cultural or academic events. Specific implementation details and effective dates are expected to be released in the coming weeks by relevant authorities.
For the tourism sector, this change represents a potential expansion of Brazil’s appeal to long-haul travelers. Travel industry platforms have already reported surging flight searches from China to Brazil in response to the visa news, with Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasília emerging as popular destinations among prospective visitors.
From a business perspective, easier entry can reduce logistical costs and administrative barriers for Chinese companies and professionals with interests in Brazil. Executives and event organizers have noted that eliminating the visa requirement can streamline participation in international fairs, conferences and commercial missions — boosting bilateral engagement in sectors like agribusiness, technology and trade.
The reciprocal nature of this arrangement — with Brazil aligning its policies with China’s existing visa exemptions for Brazilians — reflects broader trends in global travel facilitation that target growth of international mobility and economic exchange, particularly between emerging markets.
As implementation details are finalized, both tourism stakeholders and business communities will be watching closely to understand how the new visa framework plays out in practice. For now, the planned exemption marks a significant step toward making Brazil more accessible to one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets.
