Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on 28 February 2026 that holders of ordinary passports from China, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and the Bahamas no longer require a visa for short stays. The measure, which entered into force on 24 February, initially authorises a 30-day stay that can be extended locally to a cumulative 90 days in any 12-month period.
The Lula administration framed the expansion as the next step in a gradual liberalisation that has already removed visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and, most recently, the United Kingdom. Officials at Embratur, Brazil’s tourism promotion board, said the latest waiver targets “high-spending, long-haul travellers and MICE delegates” and is expected to lift annual foreign arrivals above the pre-pandemic peak of 6.6 million. For China the arrangement is reciprocal—Beijing began admitting Brazilians visa-free in mid-2025—while the waivers for the seven European and Caribbean countries are unilateral.
![Brazil Adds Eight New Countries to Visa-Free List to Boost Tourism and Business]()
For travellers who still need clarity on Brazil’s evolving entry rules—or for nationals of countries not covered by the newest waiver—VisaHQ provides an easy online platform to check requirements, secure e-visas, and manage renewals. Their Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) is updated daily and offers step-by-step application support, making the process faster and hassle-free.
Industry groups such as the National Confederation of Commerce (CNC) applauded the decision, projecting an additional R$5 billion (US$1 billion) in visitor spending this year. Airlines are already responding: Iberia and LATAM both announced capacity increases on Europe-Brazil routes for the northern-summer timetable, and hotel chains reported a spike in group enquiries for the 2027 ICCA congress in São Paulo.
Practical implications for travellers are minimal—airlines may verify eligibility at check-in, but no electronic travel authorisation is required. Business visitors should note that activities beyond attending meetings (e.g., hands-on technical work) still demand the appropriate temporary work visa. Companies with assignees from the eight newly eligible countries should review internal mobility policies to take advantage of the simplified entry regime while ensuring compliance with Brazil’s labour-law restrictions on “business visitor” activities.
The Lula administration framed the expansion as the next step in a gradual liberalisation that has already removed visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and, most recently, the United Kingdom. Officials at Embratur, Brazil’s tourism promotion board, said the latest waiver targets “high-spending, long-haul travellers and MICE delegates” and is expected to lift annual foreign arrivals above the pre-pandemic peak of 6.6 million. For China the arrangement is reciprocal—Beijing began admitting Brazilians visa-free in mid-2025—while the waivers for the seven European and Caribbean countries are unilateral.
For travellers who still need clarity on Brazil’s evolving entry rules—or for nationals of countries not covered by the newest waiver—VisaHQ provides an easy online platform to check requirements, secure e-visas, and manage renewals. Their Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) is updated daily and offers step-by-step application support, making the process faster and hassle-free.
Industry groups such as the National Confederation of Commerce (CNC) applauded the decision, projecting an additional R$5 billion (US$1 billion) in visitor spending this year. Airlines are already responding: Iberia and LATAM both announced capacity increases on Europe-Brazil routes for the northern-summer timetable, and hotel chains reported a spike in group enquiries for the 2027 ICCA congress in São Paulo.
Practical implications for travellers are minimal—airlines may verify eligibility at check-in, but no electronic travel authorisation is required. Business visitors should note that activities beyond attending meetings (e.g., hands-on technical work) still demand the appropriate temporary work visa. Companies with assignees from the eight newly eligible countries should review internal mobility policies to take advantage of the simplified entry regime while ensuring compliance with Brazil’s labour-law restrictions on “business visitor” activities.
