Ireland’s long-haul MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market received a boost this week after Brazil waived short-stay visas for Irish citizens under Inter-Ministerial Ordinance 18/2026. The change, part of Brasília’s “Open Doors 2026” tourism strategy, allows Irish passport holders to spend up to 90 days per year in Brazil for tourism, trade shows and unpaid business meetings without first securing an e-visa or consular sticker. Irish professionals previously faced application fees of roughly US $120 and a two-week processing window—an obstacle for last-minute project bids in São Paulo’s fintech sector or energy conferences in Rio. Removing that friction, travel analysts forecast, could lift Irish visitor numbers by 25 % over two years from the pre-pandemic baseline of 15,000 arrivals.
![Brazil grants 90-day visa-free entry to ordinary Irish passport holders]()
For Irish travellers who still need guidance on documentation—whether for Brazil’s Temporary V work visa or onward journeys to other destinations—VisaHQ can simplify the process. Its Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) provides real-time entry requirements, online applications and concierge support that helps corporate teams meet tight MICE deadlines with confidence.
The waiver is unilateral: Brazil has not sought reciprocal treatment from Ireland. Nonetheless, airlines such as TAP and Air France-KLM, which carry the bulk of Irish traffic via Lisbon and Paris, are already evaluating capacity increases. LATAM sources say the carrier is eyeing additional codeshare seats out of London to capture spill-over demand. Corporate travel managers should remind staff that the visa exemption covers meetings but not remunerated work. Those engaging in paid activities still need the appropriate Temporary V visa. Travellers must also present proof of onward travel and sufficient funds at the border, and should keep count of cumulative days to avoid breaching the 90-day annual cap.
For Irish travellers who still need guidance on documentation—whether for Brazil’s Temporary V work visa or onward journeys to other destinations—VisaHQ can simplify the process. Its Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) provides real-time entry requirements, online applications and concierge support that helps corporate teams meet tight MICE deadlines with confidence.
The waiver is unilateral: Brazil has not sought reciprocal treatment from Ireland. Nonetheless, airlines such as TAP and Air France-KLM, which carry the bulk of Irish traffic via Lisbon and Paris, are already evaluating capacity increases. LATAM sources say the carrier is eyeing additional codeshare seats out of London to capture spill-over demand. Corporate travel managers should remind staff that the visa exemption covers meetings but not remunerated work. Those engaging in paid activities still need the appropriate Temporary V visa. Travellers must also present proof of onward travel and sufficient funds at the border, and should keep count of cumulative days to avoid breaching the 90-day annual cap.
