Brazil entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders

Verified May 11, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

British passport holders don't need a visa to visit Brazil for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. From 2025, you can enter visa-free, but your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry and have at least one blank page. This entry cannot be extended, so plan your trip carefully.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must cover your entire stay in Brazil
Your passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay. Brazil does not enforce a 6-month validity rule for UK passport holders — just make sure it doesn't expire before you leave.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof you will leave Brazil within 90 days
Immigration officers at GRU and GIG routinely ask for a return or onward flight booking. Have a printed or digital copy of your ticket showing departure within the 90-day visa-free period.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Officers may ask where you are staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and CPF number covers this.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself during your stay
Brazil does not publish a fixed minimum, but carrying a bank statement or credit card with a reasonable limit (around R$150–200 per day) satisfies most officers. ATMs are widely available in cities.Recommended
Strict passport validity requirement
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival. This is checked at check-in and immigration. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before booking flights.
Stays cannot be extended
The 90-day visa-free entry is non-extendable. There is no option to apply for an extension inside Brazil. If you need more than 90 days, apply for a visa before travel.

What happens at the border

1
Arrival at Brazilian airport
Present your passport to the Federal Police officer. Be ready with your return flight information (ticket or itinerary) in case asked. You fill out a small immigration card on the plane; hand it over with your passport. The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date and allowed stay (usually 90 days).
2
Biometrics collection (if applicable)
At major airports like Guarulhos (GRU) or Galeão (GIG), you may be asked to provide fingerprints and a photo. This is quick and routine.
3
Customs and baggage
After immigration, collect your bags and proceed through customs. There is no special tourist check. If you have goods to declare, use the red channel.
Download Brazil Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 11, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable 90 days
Validity5 years from issue date
CostFree for UK passport holders (visa-free entry already applies)

No visa needed for short stays. For longer stays, consider a temporary visa.

Temporary visa (long-stay)
Max stayUp to 1 year, extendable
Validity1 year from issue date
CostR$ 300 (approx. USD 60) application fee

For work, study, or retirement. Requires sponsorship and approval from Brazilian immigration.

Digital nomad visa
Max stay1 year, extendable 1 year
Validity1 year from issue date
CostR$ 300 (approx. USD 60) application fee

For remote workers with proof of income. Must apply at a Brazilian consulate abroad.

digital nomad visa
Brazil Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)
1 year, renewable for another year
R$ 1,000.00 (~$200 USD) application fee
For remote workers with proof of income (minimum ~$1,500/month). Allows stay up to 1 year, renewable once. Must apply at Brazilian consulate abroad.
retirement visa
Brazil Retirement Visa (VITEM VII)
1 year, renewable annually
R$ 1,000.00 (~$200 USD) application fee
For retirees with passive income (minimum ~$2,000/month). Requires proof of pension or investments. Renewable indefinitely.
investor visa
Brazil Investor Visa (VITEM IX)
1 year, renewable for 3 years then permanent
R$ 1,000.00 (~$200 USD) application fee + proof of investment (min. R$ 500,000)
For investors in Brazilian companies or real estate. Minimum investment of R$ 500,000 (or R$ 150,000 for tech startups). Leads to permanent residency.
work visa
Brazil Work Visa (VITEM V)
Up to 2 years, renewable
R$ 1,000.00 (~$200 USD) application fee
Requires a job offer from a Brazilian company. Employer must apply for authorization. Allows multiple entries and family reunion.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Overstay fineFines apply for overstaying the 90-day visa-free period. Pay before leaving to avoid future entry issues.R$ 100 per day (approx. USD 20), max cap R$ 10,000 (approx. USD 2,000)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Brazil

No transit visa needed

UK passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Brazil, even if leaving the airport. However, if you need to enter the country (e.g., overnight layover), visa-free entry applies for up to 90 days.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsSão Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) · Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG) · Brasília International Airport (BSB)

Health & vaccines for Brazil

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, or other endemic countries).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedYellow FeverEssentialRabiesConsiderCOVID-19Essential
Health risks
DengueHigh risk

Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy season.

ZikaModerate risk

Mosquito-borne virus; pregnant women should take precautions.

ChikungunyaModerate risk

Mosquito-borne disease with outbreaks in some regions.

Malaria risk: low

Risk is low for most tourist destinations (Rio, São Paulo, coastal areas). Prophylaxis recommended for travel to the Amazon basin and some rural areas in the north.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Brasília
Coordenação-Geral de Imigração (CGI)
Setor de Autarquias Sul, Quadra 1, Bloco A, Edifício Sede da Polícia Federal, Brasília - DF, 70070-010
Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00

Main office for immigration matters. For extensions, bring passport, proof of funds, and return ticket.

Rio de Janeiro
Superintendência Regional da Polícia Federal no Rio de Janeiro
Av. Presidente Vargas, 817, Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20071-003
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00

Handles visa extensions and registration. Arrive early to avoid long queues.

Practical information for GB travellers

Country basics
CapitalBrasília
LanguagePortuguese
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for up to 180 days.
Money
CurrencyBrazilian Real (BRL)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4.9 BRL
updated May 13
Time zone
Local timeUTC-3
vs New York+1h to +3h depending on region
vs Los Angeles+4h to +6h depending on region
Electricity
Voltage127V or 220V / 60Hz (varies by city)
Plug types
NType N (also C) — US plugs do not fit. Bring a universal adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Tap water is treated but quality varies by region.
Emergency numbers
Police190
Medical192
US EmbassyFind contact

Getting to Brazil

8,967 kmgreat circle distance
~12hfrom London
Find flights

Nearby destinations you can also visit

Countries close to Brazil — with your same passport.

Frequently asked questions

No. UK nationals are visa-free for tourism, business (no local income), transit, or attending short courses/meetings. The maximum stay is 90 days per entry.
No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a visa at a Brazilian consulate before travel. Overstaying can result in fines (typically a per-day fee) and future entry bans.
At least six months from your date of arrival. This is strictly enforced. If your passport expires within six months, renew it before booking your trip.
Brazilian law does not require it, but airlines often do. Have a printed or digital copy of your onwards ticket to avoid being denied boarding.
No. There is no online registration or arrival declaration for tourism. Just the standard immigration card given on the plane.
The visa-free entry is for tourism and business (meetings, conferences, short training). Remote work for a foreign employer is allowed provided you do not receive income from a Brazilian source. However, if you plan to stay long-term or work for a Brazilian company, you need a proper work visa.
Overstaying is penalised. You pay a fine (per day overstay, typically around R$100 per day) and may be barred from re-entering Brazil for a period. Exit control will flag it. Always leave before the stamped date.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 11, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.