Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism quietly signed the final ordinance on 20 December that will reshape how millions of visitors enter and spend in the country from 1 January 2026. The measure makes the electronic visa (e-Visa) permanent for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, France, Argentina and more than 20 other countries previously visa-exempt, citing reciprocity.
Travellers will apply through the upgraded VFSeVisa portal, pay US$ 80.90 and receive a multi-entry visa valid for up to ten years (five years for Canadians and Australians). Airlines face stiff fines if passengers show up at check-in without the e-Visa QR code.
For travellers and programme managers seeking a streamlined process, VisaHQ’s dedicated Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) can pre-fill forms, validate supporting documents and submit e-Visa requests directly to VFSeVisa, while its dashboard lets companies monitor multiple applications in real time, helping avoid last-minute airport surprises. The service also integrates invoicing and expiry reminders, making ongoing compliance simpler as the new rules bed in.
![Brazil Confirms 2026 Permanent e-Visa Scheme and New VAT/Tourist Taxes for 30+ Nationalities]()
Simultaneously, Brazil will introduce a dual federal VAT (CBS and IBS) to replace a patchwork of cascading levies, a move that KPMG estimates will raise hotel, car-rental and tour prices by 3-5 percentage points. Municipalities are adding their own layers: beach hotspots such as Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande have approved sustainable-tourism levies of up to R$ 95 per visit, and Rio is considering reviving its per-bed tax ahead of Carnival 2026.
Together, the measures could lift daily on-the-ground costs for corporate travellers by 8-10 percent, according to the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH). Mobility managers should revisit travel budgets, update booking systems to flag visa-required nationalities and advise travellers to complete e-Visa formalities at least two months before departure.
Visa-facilitation platforms report a spike in corporate registrations as companies seek dashboard-level oversight of multiple applications. Firms that rely on short-notice deployments—IT consultants, energy crews and event managers—are urged to build extra lead time into assignment planning.
While contentious, the overhaul signals Brazil’s pivot to digital border management and tax harmonisation in advance of large-scale events such as COP 30 in Belém (2026) and the 2027 Pan-American Games bid.
Travellers will apply through the upgraded VFSeVisa portal, pay US$ 80.90 and receive a multi-entry visa valid for up to ten years (five years for Canadians and Australians). Airlines face stiff fines if passengers show up at check-in without the e-Visa QR code.
For travellers and programme managers seeking a streamlined process, VisaHQ’s dedicated Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) can pre-fill forms, validate supporting documents and submit e-Visa requests directly to VFSeVisa, while its dashboard lets companies monitor multiple applications in real time, helping avoid last-minute airport surprises. The service also integrates invoicing and expiry reminders, making ongoing compliance simpler as the new rules bed in.
Simultaneously, Brazil will introduce a dual federal VAT (CBS and IBS) to replace a patchwork of cascading levies, a move that KPMG estimates will raise hotel, car-rental and tour prices by 3-5 percentage points. Municipalities are adding their own layers: beach hotspots such as Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande have approved sustainable-tourism levies of up to R$ 95 per visit, and Rio is considering reviving its per-bed tax ahead of Carnival 2026.
Together, the measures could lift daily on-the-ground costs for corporate travellers by 8-10 percent, according to the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH). Mobility managers should revisit travel budgets, update booking systems to flag visa-required nationalities and advise travellers to complete e-Visa formalities at least two months before departure.
Visa-facilitation platforms report a spike in corporate registrations as companies seek dashboard-level oversight of multiple applications. Firms that rely on short-notice deployments—IT consultants, energy crews and event managers—are urged to build extra lead time into assignment planning.
While contentious, the overhaul signals Brazil’s pivot to digital border management and tax harmonisation in advance of large-scale events such as COP 30 in Belém (2026) and the 2027 Pan-American Games bid.
