Brasilia Entry Requirements

Brasilia Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Information last reviewed December 2024. Always verify with official government sources before traveling.
Your Brasilia story starts the instant the plane drops over the capital's razor-sharp horizon, twin towers of Congresso Nacional slicing the amber sky like exclamation marks. Inside Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport, Portuguese rolls across the immigration hall in steady waves, announcements crackling against raw concrete. Most passengers breeze through with visa-free access or electronic authorization, no paperwork marathon here, unlike some South American hubs. Federal Police officers in navy uniforms work the booths with practiced speed and the easy warmth Brasilia claims as its trademark. While you wait, the scent of fresh coffee drifts from nearby kiosks, Brazil greeting your nose before your passport. From jet bridge to baggage belt rarely takes more than 30 minutes. Land between 6-9 AM or 8-10 PM and you might add ten. The stamp you collect is a miniature blueprint, the city's signature angles pressed into ink.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Brasilia follows Brazil's visa policy, with most Western nations enjoying visa-free access while others require electronic authorization or traditional visas.

Visa-Free Entry
90 days within any 180-day period

Citizens of these nations can enter Brasilia without advance visa arrangements

Includes
United States United Kingdom Germany France Italy Spain Portugal Netherlands Belgium Austria Switzerland Sweden Norway Denmark Finland Iceland Ireland Greece Poland Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary Slovenia Estonia Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Cyprus Croatia Australia New Zealand Japan South Korea Singapore Malaysia Thailand Philippines Chile Argentina Uruguay Paraguay Ecuador Colombia Peru Bolivia Venezuela Suriname Guyana French Guiana

Extension possible for additional 90 days, allowing maximum 180 days per year

Electronic Travel Authorization (eVisa)
90 days within any 180-day period

Citizens requiring online pre-authorization before travel

Includes
Canada Australia Japan United States (if arriving by land)
How to Apply: Apply through Brazil's official eVisa portal at least 5 business days before travel
Cost: Moderate processing fee

Valid for 2 years from issue date, multiple entries allowed

Visa Required
Typically 90 days maximum

Citizens requiring traditional visa from Brazilian consulate

How to Apply: Apply at Brazilian embassy/consulate in your country, provide itinerary, proof of funds, accommodation details

Processing time 5-15 business days, requires interview at some consulates

Arrival Process

Brasilia's modern airport facilities make arrival straightforward, with clear signage in Portuguese and English guiding you through each step.

1
Immigration Control
Present your passport and any required visa documents to Federal Police. They'll scan your documents, take your photo, and stamp your passport with entry date.
2
Baggage Collection
Proceed to baggage claim where monitors display flight numbers. Brasilia's airport typically delivers bags within 15-20 minutes of landing.
3
Customs Declaration
Choose green channel if you have nothing to declare, red channel if carrying dutiable items. Random checks occur at both channels.
4
Exit to Arrivals
Exit through automatic doors into the arrivals hall where you'll immediately smell the tropical humidity mixed with airport coffee aromas.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Brasilia
Return/onward ticket
Immigration officers frequently request proof of departure from Brazil
Accommodation confirmation
Hotel booking or address where you'll stay in Brasilia
Yellow fever certificate
Required if arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete the immigration form distributed on your flight before landing to avoid delays
Have your accommodation address written down - many Brasilia street names are difficult to pronounce
Keep immigration documents easily accessible in your carry-on, not checked luggage

Customs & Duty-Free

Brasilia's customs regulations balance Brazil's openness to tourism with protection of local industries and security concerns.

Alcohol
12 liters of alcohol total, with maximum 4 liters of spirits
Must be 18 years or older
Tobacco
25 cigars or 250 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco
Must be 18 years or older
Currency
Declare amounts exceeding R$10,000 or foreign equivalent
Declaration form required, available at customs
Gifts/Goods
Items valued up to US$500 total
Items for personal use typically allowed in reasonable quantities

Prohibited Items

  • Fresh meat and dairy products - protection against foot-and-mouth disease
  • Uncooked seeds and plants - agricultural pest control
  • Counterfeit merchandise - intellectual property protection
  • Illicit drugs - zero tolerance policy with severe penalties
  • Explosives and weapons - strict security regulations

Restricted Items

  • Medications - bring prescription and doctor's note, some require special permits
  • Electronics - one laptop and one camera allowed duty-free, additional items may be taxed
  • Professional equipment - may require temporary import permits

Health Requirements

While Brasilia sits in a yellow fever-free zone, international travelers may face vaccination requirements depending on their travel history.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow fever - if arriving from countries with transmission risk including most of Africa and parts of South America

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Routine vaccinations (MMR, DPT, flu)

Health Insurance

Travel insurance covering medical expenses strongly recommended though not mandatory. Public hospitals in Brasilia may have long wait times for non-emergencies.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 restrictions lifted as of mid-2023. Monitor Brazil's health ministry website for any reinstatement of testing or vaccination requirements.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Federal Police of Brazil immigration portal
For visa applications and official information
Emergency
Dial 190 for police, 192 for ambulance, 193 for fire
English-speaking operators available at major tourist police stations

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Single parents or guardians need notarized consent from non-traveling parent(s). Original birth certificate recommended. Children require individual passports.

Traveling with Pets

Health certificate from accredited veterinarian, rabies vaccination certificate, import permit from Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. 48-hour advance notification to Brasilia airport required.

Extended Stays

Apply for extension at Federal Police station before initial 90 days expire. Maximum 180 days per calendar year allowed. Requires proof of financial means and clean criminal record.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear — with shopping links for every item.

View Brasilia Packing List →