Brazil chose 26 May 2026—the opening day of ITB China in Shanghai—to unveil its most ambitious push into the Chinese outbound market in more than a decade. Led by Tourism Minister Gustavo Feliciano and the president of Embratur, Bruno Reis, the 80-person delegation stressed one message above all: Chinese citizens can now enter Brazil without a visa for trips of up to 30 days, thanks to the bilateral waiver that entered into force on 11 May. Behind the colourful stand and VR headsets lay a hard-nosed commercial strategy. Embratur signed memoranda with three Chinese OTAs and two airline groups to expand seat capacity on the Madrid-São Paulo and Doha-São Paulo corridors most used by Chinese travellers. According to Embratur’s data unit, arrivals from China jumped 52 percent in 2025 to 103,122 visitors; the agency now forecasts a further 31 percent surge in 2026, translating into US$ 310 million in additional tourism receipts. The visa waiver is also being leveraged to win business events. Sectors such as agritech and renewable energy—both heavy recipients of Chinese investment in Brazil—plan to move regional conferences to Brazilian venues because delegates can enter on short notice. Chinese firms installing battery plants in Bahia, for instance, told Embratur they will reroute at least two corporate meetings from Singapore to Salvador in the second half of the year. Practically, travellers will still need to show an onward or return ticket and proof of accommodation, but consular visits and US$ 115 visa fees disappear.
![Brazil Showcases New Visa-Free Access at ITB China 2026]()
While the new rules simplify entry to Brazil, travellers and mobility managers may still have questions about documentation and rapidly evolving regulations. VisaHQ can streamline this process with up-to-date guidance, real-time alerts, and concierge support via its dedicated Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/), ensuring that both corporate and leisure visitors transition smoothly under the new visa-free regime.
Brazilian executives heading the other way already enjoy 90-day visa-free entry to China (in place since May 2025), giving multinationals a fully reciprocal regime for the first time. For mobility managers the takeaway is clear: Brazil is doubling down on China, and the bureaucratic friction that once constrained last-minute travel between the two economies has largely been removed. Companies with operations in both markets should update travel policies immediately and seize discounted promotional fares likely to follow the new marketing blitz.
While the new rules simplify entry to Brazil, travellers and mobility managers may still have questions about documentation and rapidly evolving regulations. VisaHQ can streamline this process with up-to-date guidance, real-time alerts, and concierge support via its dedicated Brazil page (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/), ensuring that both corporate and leisure visitors transition smoothly under the new visa-free regime.
Brazilian executives heading the other way already enjoy 90-day visa-free entry to China (in place since May 2025), giving multinationals a fully reciprocal regime for the first time. For mobility managers the takeaway is clear: Brazil is doubling down on China, and the bureaucratic friction that once constrained last-minute travel between the two economies has largely been removed. Companies with operations in both markets should update travel policies immediately and seize discounted promotional fares likely to follow the new marketing blitz.
