Brazil has added Ireland to the list of nationalities that can enter the country without a visa for short stays, in a move that mobility specialists say will immediately simplify corporate travel between the two countries. Inter-Ministerial Ordinance 18/2026, published in the Diário Oficial and confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism on 7 March 2026, grants Irish passport-holders up to 30 days’ visa-free entry, with the option of a one-time 60-day extension at any Federal Police office. The exemption covers tourism, conferences and short business meetings, but excludes activities that generate local remuneration, which still require a residence or work visa.
The change is part of the wider “Open Doors 2026” strategy, under which Brazil is using selective visa waivers to stimulate inbound investment and visitor numbers in the run-up to the country’s bicentennial celebrations. Tourism authorities estimate that Irish arrivals could double from the pre-pandemic baseline of 28 000 within the next 12 months, helped by Aer Lingus’ seasonal Dublin–São Paulo service and aggressive fare sales by Air France/KLM and Iberia via their European hubs. Global travel-management companies have already removed the Brazil visa line-item—previously about US $120 in fees and courier costs—from their Irish client budgets.
Travellers who still want expert support with Brazil’s evolving entry rules can turn to VisaHQ, whose dedicated portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) tracks real-time regulatory changes, facilitates online applications for extensions or work permits, and supplies invitation-letter templates for corporate visitors. The service is particularly handy for mobility teams juggling multi-country itineraries, ensuring Irish staff remain compliant not only in Brazil but in neighbouring markets where visa requirements may differ.
![Brazil Waives Visas for Irish Citizens Under Inter-Ministerial Ordinance 18/2026]()
For multinational employers, the most immediate benefit is speed. “A same-day trip for a project kick-off or site inspection is now possible with only a passport and proof of onward travel,” said Mariana Tavares, mobility lead for a Dublin-based engineering firm with contracts in Brazil’s offshore wind sector. HR teams are nevertheless advising staff to carry invitation letters and be prepared to show proof of funds, as Brazilian border officers retain discretion to refuse entry. Irish citizens intending to work on long-term assignments must still secure the appropriate residence permit before travel.
The ordinance also cements Brazil’s reputation as one of Latin America’s most open major economies for visitors from the EU. While talks on a full EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement continue, Brasília is using unilateral visa liberalisation to signal openness to investment and to court more MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) events. Industry groups such as ICCA and SITE welcomed the announcement, noting that Ireland is a heavyweight in the international conference market and a growing outbound source for incentive travel.
Practical tips for travellers include ensuring passports have six months’ validity on arrival, keeping electronic copies of onward tickets, and remembering that Brazil’s Federal Police require foreigners to carry ID at all times. Mobility managers should update internal travel policies and duty-of-care checklists immediately to reflect the exemption and remove unnecessary lead time for Brazil trips.
The change is part of the wider “Open Doors 2026” strategy, under which Brazil is using selective visa waivers to stimulate inbound investment and visitor numbers in the run-up to the country’s bicentennial celebrations. Tourism authorities estimate that Irish arrivals could double from the pre-pandemic baseline of 28 000 within the next 12 months, helped by Aer Lingus’ seasonal Dublin–São Paulo service and aggressive fare sales by Air France/KLM and Iberia via their European hubs. Global travel-management companies have already removed the Brazil visa line-item—previously about US $120 in fees and courier costs—from their Irish client budgets.
Travellers who still want expert support with Brazil’s evolving entry rules can turn to VisaHQ, whose dedicated portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) tracks real-time regulatory changes, facilitates online applications for extensions or work permits, and supplies invitation-letter templates for corporate visitors. The service is particularly handy for mobility teams juggling multi-country itineraries, ensuring Irish staff remain compliant not only in Brazil but in neighbouring markets where visa requirements may differ.
For multinational employers, the most immediate benefit is speed. “A same-day trip for a project kick-off or site inspection is now possible with only a passport and proof of onward travel,” said Mariana Tavares, mobility lead for a Dublin-based engineering firm with contracts in Brazil’s offshore wind sector. HR teams are nevertheless advising staff to carry invitation letters and be prepared to show proof of funds, as Brazilian border officers retain discretion to refuse entry. Irish citizens intending to work on long-term assignments must still secure the appropriate residence permit before travel.
The ordinance also cements Brazil’s reputation as one of Latin America’s most open major economies for visitors from the EU. While talks on a full EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement continue, Brasília is using unilateral visa liberalisation to signal openness to investment and to court more MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) events. Industry groups such as ICCA and SITE welcomed the announcement, noting that Ireland is a heavyweight in the international conference market and a growing outbound source for incentive travel.
Practical tips for travellers include ensuring passports have six months’ validity on arrival, keeping electronic copies of onward tickets, and remembering that Brazil’s Federal Police require foreigners to carry ID at all times. Mobility managers should update internal travel policies and duty-of-care checklists immediately to reflect the exemption and remove unnecessary lead time for Brazil trips.
