Brazil is on the verge of its boldest visa liberalisation in more than a decade. Government officials confirmed to major newspapers that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drafted a decree that would waive short-stay visa requirements for holders of Chinese passports who travel for tourism or business. The measure—expected to be signed in early 2026—comes after China unilaterally granted Brazilians visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days in June 2024.
Behind the move is a simple calculation: China is already Brazil’s largest trading partner and its fastest-growing source market outside South America, yet Chinese travellers account for barely 0.05 % of China’s outbound trips. The government believes removing the final administrative barrier could push arrivals well beyond the 76,000 Chinese visitors recorded in 2024 and help Brazil reach its goal of 10 million foreign arrivals a year by 2027. Destinations such as Foz do Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon are preparing tailored packages, and the national tourism board Embratur is finalising Mandarin-language promotional campaigns.
Corporate Brazil is likewise enthusiastic. A visa waiver would slash lead times for Chinese executives who need to inspect factories, negotiate agribusiness contracts or attend trade shows. Hotel groups expect longer average stays and higher spending: surveys by São Paulo’s tourism secretariat show a Chinese visitor spends about US$2,000 per trip—almost triple the average for South American tourists. Airlines are already eyeing additional frequencies on the São Paulo-Guangzhou and Rio-Beijing routes once demand materialises.
![Brazil considers visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to unlock tourism boom]()
Travellers and organisations wanting a seamless adjustment to the new regime can rely on VisaHQ’s online portal, which tracks Brazilian entry requirements in real time and facilitates any paperwork still needed for specialised or long-term stays. The Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) offers step-by-step guidance, expedited processing and multilingual support, making it easier for Chinese visitors and Brazilian businesses alike to stay compliant as policies evolve.
Not everyone is convinced. Career diplomats worry that a unilateral concession could weaken Brazil’s bargaining position in wider mobility talks with the European Union. Security agencies want guarantees that data-sharing agreements will remain in place so that background checks continue to flag travellers of concern. Nevertheless, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is said to back the waiver, arguing that the economic upside outweighs the risks.
For global-mobility managers the takeaway is clear: start planning for smoother, faster transfers between China and Brazil. If the decree is enacted as drafted, Chinese nationals will be able to enter Brazil with a simple passport scan at the border, while Brazilian assignees already enjoy the same privilege in China. HR teams should revisit travel-policy handbooks, approve new preferred suppliers that speak Mandarin and recalibrate cost estimates for inbound Chinese delegations, as hotel rates in business hubs are likely to climb once pent-up demand is unleashed.
Behind the move is a simple calculation: China is already Brazil’s largest trading partner and its fastest-growing source market outside South America, yet Chinese travellers account for barely 0.05 % of China’s outbound trips. The government believes removing the final administrative barrier could push arrivals well beyond the 76,000 Chinese visitors recorded in 2024 and help Brazil reach its goal of 10 million foreign arrivals a year by 2027. Destinations such as Foz do Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon are preparing tailored packages, and the national tourism board Embratur is finalising Mandarin-language promotional campaigns.
Corporate Brazil is likewise enthusiastic. A visa waiver would slash lead times for Chinese executives who need to inspect factories, negotiate agribusiness contracts or attend trade shows. Hotel groups expect longer average stays and higher spending: surveys by São Paulo’s tourism secretariat show a Chinese visitor spends about US$2,000 per trip—almost triple the average for South American tourists. Airlines are already eyeing additional frequencies on the São Paulo-Guangzhou and Rio-Beijing routes once demand materialises.
Travellers and organisations wanting a seamless adjustment to the new regime can rely on VisaHQ’s online portal, which tracks Brazilian entry requirements in real time and facilitates any paperwork still needed for specialised or long-term stays. The Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) offers step-by-step guidance, expedited processing and multilingual support, making it easier for Chinese visitors and Brazilian businesses alike to stay compliant as policies evolve.
Not everyone is convinced. Career diplomats worry that a unilateral concession could weaken Brazil’s bargaining position in wider mobility talks with the European Union. Security agencies want guarantees that data-sharing agreements will remain in place so that background checks continue to flag travellers of concern. Nevertheless, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is said to back the waiver, arguing that the economic upside outweighs the risks.
For global-mobility managers the takeaway is clear: start planning for smoother, faster transfers between China and Brazil. If the decree is enacted as drafted, Chinese nationals will be able to enter Brazil with a simple passport scan at the border, while Brazilian assignees already enjoy the same privilege in China. HR teams should revisit travel-policy handbooks, approve new preferred suppliers that speak Mandarin and recalibrate cost estimates for inbound Chinese delegations, as hotel rates in business hubs are likely to climb once pent-up demand is unleashed.
