In a further sign of warming ties between Brasília and Beijing, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on 14 May 2026 that a reciprocal 30-day visa-waiver agreement with the People’s Republic of China is now in force. The regulation, published on 7 May and effective since 11 May, allows holders of ordinary Chinese passports to enter Brazil visa-free for tourism, business, transit, cultural, artistic and sporting activities until 31 December 2026. In return, Brazilians have enjoyed visa-free travel to China since May 2025. The measure is explicitly temporary and based on reciprocity. Extensions beyond the initial 30 days will not be possible inside Brazil; visitors who require a longer stay or wish to perform remunerated work must apply for the appropriate visa at a Brazilian consulate abroad.
![Brazil and China Seal 30-Day Reciprocal Visa-Waiver Agreement]()
For travellers who fall outside the scope of the waiver—such as those seeking work permits, student visas or longer-term residence—services like VisaHQ can help navigate Brazil’s complex immigration rules. Its dedicated Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) provides up-to-date requirements, digital application tools and expert support, making it easier for companies and individuals to secure the right documentation in a timely fashion.
The Foreign Ministry emphasised that nothing in the decree overrides Labour Ministry rules on paid assignments, technical work or long-term residence. Brazilian tourism authorities estimate that Chinese arrivals grew by 28 % in 2025 to just over 103,000 visitors, generating R$ 680 million (US$ 132 million) in direct spending. The Ministry of Tourism predicts that abolishing visa fees could push arrivals beyond 150,000 in 2026, helping airlines justify additional frequencies on routes such as São Paulo–Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro–Beijing. Local chambers of commerce also expect easier mobility to accelerate negotiations in agribusiness, renewable energy and infrastructure—sectors where Chinese investment is already significant. For Brazilian companies hosting Chinese executives, the announcement removes a major administrative hurdle but does not eliminate compliance obligations. Sponsors must still issue invitation letters when required, register visitors in the police e-migration system within 24 hours of arrival if the stay exceeds 24 hours, and ensure that activities remain strictly non-remunerated. Firms are therefore revisiting internal travel-approval workflows to distinguish between short-term business trips and projects that trigger work-permit needs. Travel managers should update booking tools immediately so that Chinese citizens are not prompted to provide an eVisa receipt. Airlines have begun flagging the change in their Timatic databases, but anecdotal reports from Guarulhos and Galeão suggest that some ground staff—and even a few airline apps—still ask for outdated documentation. Mobility teams are advised to brief travellers to carry a print-out of the presidential decree until systems are fully updated.
For travellers who fall outside the scope of the waiver—such as those seeking work permits, student visas or longer-term residence—services like VisaHQ can help navigate Brazil’s complex immigration rules. Its dedicated Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) provides up-to-date requirements, digital application tools and expert support, making it easier for companies and individuals to secure the right documentation in a timely fashion.
The Foreign Ministry emphasised that nothing in the decree overrides Labour Ministry rules on paid assignments, technical work or long-term residence. Brazilian tourism authorities estimate that Chinese arrivals grew by 28 % in 2025 to just over 103,000 visitors, generating R$ 680 million (US$ 132 million) in direct spending. The Ministry of Tourism predicts that abolishing visa fees could push arrivals beyond 150,000 in 2026, helping airlines justify additional frequencies on routes such as São Paulo–Shanghai and Rio de Janeiro–Beijing. Local chambers of commerce also expect easier mobility to accelerate negotiations in agribusiness, renewable energy and infrastructure—sectors where Chinese investment is already significant. For Brazilian companies hosting Chinese executives, the announcement removes a major administrative hurdle but does not eliminate compliance obligations. Sponsors must still issue invitation letters when required, register visitors in the police e-migration system within 24 hours of arrival if the stay exceeds 24 hours, and ensure that activities remain strictly non-remunerated. Firms are therefore revisiting internal travel-approval workflows to distinguish between short-term business trips and projects that trigger work-permit needs. Travel managers should update booking tools immediately so that Chinese citizens are not prompted to provide an eVisa receipt. Airlines have begun flagging the change in their Timatic databases, but anecdotal reports from Guarulhos and Galeão suggest that some ground staff—and even a few airline apps—still ask for outdated documentation. Mobility teams are advised to brief travellers to carry a print-out of the presidential decree until systems are fully updated.
