Brazil is South America's giant, a dazzling land of pristine beaches, steamy jungles and manic metropolises. Music and dancing are as integral here as eating and sleeping, and you'll find as many regional styles as there are shades of people, from samba's sensual rhythms to... Read the overview

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Visas overview

Brazil has a reciprocal visa system, so if your home country requires Brazilian nationals to secure a visa, then you will need one to enter Brazil. At the time of writing, American, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens need visas, but citizens of the UK, Ireland, and most other EU countries as well as South Africa do not. Check with the Brazilian embassy or consulate in your home country.

To apply for a visa, you will normally need to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended arrival date, plus a passport photo, a round-trip or onward ticket (or a photocopy of it or a statement from a travel agent saying that you have a ticket). If you decide to return to Brazil, your visa is valid for five years.

The fee for visas is also reciprocal.