Tourism in Brazil Surges as 114 Countries Become Eligible for Visa Waiver Program

The visa waiver has made it easier for international tourists to experience Brazil's vibrant culture and stunning landscapes
junho 19, 2024
Brazil has strategically expanded its visa-free entry policy. Photo: TDS

As of 2024, Brazil has strategically expanded its visa-free entry policy to include citizens from 114 countries, making it easier for international tourists to experience the nation’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and diverse attractions. This policy is expected to bring a surge in tourism, boosting economic activity and fostering cultural exchanges.

In the first four months of 2024, international tourism revenue reached historic highs, growing by 23.8% compared to the same period last year. From January to April, foreign tourists spent US$ 2.6 billion in Brazil, marking the best performance on record. Last year, the total for this period was US$ 2.1 billion.

In 2023, Brazil welcomed 5.9 million international visitors, exceeding pre-pandemic tourist arrival figures. The number of international tourists in 2023 grew by 62.7% compared to the 3.6 million visitors in 2022, although it still fell short of the record 6.3 million travelers in 2019.

Brazil’s major airports, including São Paulo-Guarulhos, Rio de Janeiro-Galeão, and Brasília International, are poised to handle the influx of international travelers. This surge will not only boost the aviation sector but also drive growth in the hospitality and service industries. Leading airlines such as LATAM, GOL, Azul, and Avianca are expected to expand routes and increase passenger volumes, making travel to and within Brazil more accessible.

Find out if your country is eligible for visa-free travel to Brazil by checking the complete list of nations included in the program:

Europe

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • Vatican City

Africa

  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • Cape Verde
  • Eswatini
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Namibia
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • South Africa
  • Tunisia

Americas

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Jamaica
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Suriname
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

Asia

  • Armenia
  • Georgia
  • Iran
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Malaysia
  • Mongolia
  • Oman
  • Philippines
  • Qatar
  • Singapore
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uzbekistan

Oceania

  • Fiji
  • Kiribati
  • Micronesia
  • Vanuatu

Future Travel Prospects

Traditionally, Brazil has followed a policy of reciprocal visa requirements, granting exemptions only when Brazilians receive the same treatment. This policy would exclude countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia from visa waivers.

In 2020, President Jair Bolsonaro created a program to waive visa requirements for these countries to promote tourism, despite these countries maintaining visa requirements for Brazilians. However, when President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023, he declared that he would reinstate the reciprocal visa requirements.

Since then, Brazil has extended the visa waiver expiration for these countries three times. The country’s Foreign Ministry has planned to end these unilateral exemptions by April 2025; however, the country has remained open to negotiating mutual visa waivers, according to the authorities.

The continuation of visa exemptions is crucial for increasing tourism from these countries, especially the U.S., which was the second-largest source of visitors to Brazil in 2023, with nearly 670,000 American tourists, according to Embratur, Brazil’s official tourism board.

Tatiana Cesso

As a journalist, I've made it my mission to explore and share stories that inspire, inform, and entertain. You may have stumbled upon my work in esteemed publications such as InStyle, Marie Claire, Bazaar, L’Officiel, and Vogue, among others. Having called the U.S. home since 2010, I've lived in Chicago, LA, and currently, Miami. But my heart always beats to the rhythm of Brazil. It's where I was born and raised, and my love for its culture, people, and energy knows no bounds. To share this passion, I've founded Brazilcore, a platform aimed at bridging the gap between Brazil and English speakers worldwide.

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