Starting on January 10, 2024, Canadian travelers planning a trip to Brazil will need to apply for a visa. This policy change was reported by VisaGuide.world marks a significant shift from the prior visa-free entry for Canadians. The visa application process involves submitting several documents: a valid passport, a duly filled application form, a passport-style photograph, proof of flight booking, and a bank statement showing transactions from the past 30 days with a minimum balance of $2,000, indicating the traveler's financial capability for the trip.

For business travelers from Canada, the Brazilian authorities require additional details in their visa applications. This includes job titles, detailed job descriptions, monthly income, and specific information about the business purpose and activities planned during their stay in Brazil.

This policy revision is Brazil's response to the lack of reciprocal visa waivers from certain countries, including Canada, Australia, the United States, and Japan. These countries have not extended similar visa exemptions to Brazilian citizens, prompting Brazilian authorities to align their visa policies with these nations for fairness and reciprocity.

Previously, in June 2019, Brazil had temporarily waived visa requirements for citizens from Canada, the US, Japan, and Australia. This initiative aimed to enhance tourism but has been reevaluated due to the non-reciprocal approach of these countries.

Travelers from Canada, the USA, and Australia now face a visa fee of USD 80.90 for entry into Brazil. The visas have varying validities: five years for Canadians and Australians, and ten years for Americans. Brazil has partnered with VFS Global, a Dubai-based company specializing in technological solutions for governments and diplomatic services, to introduce an electronic visa application system.

In a move reflecting adherence to the Foreigners Act, Brazil announced in March 2023 the reinstatement of visa requirements for citizens from the US, Japan, Australia, and Canada. This reverses the unilateral decision made in 2019 to promote tourism.

Despite the 2019 effort to attract more tourists, the number of visitors from the US didn't surpass the 2018 figures. Japanese tourism to Brazil also saw a decline, with a 4.5% decrease in 2019 and only 17,000 tourists visiting in 2022.

As per the December 2023 VisaGuide Passport Index, the Brazilian passport is ranked 48th globally, offering visa-free access to 134 countries. However, Brazilian passport holders are required to obtain visas for other nations. Additionally, for visa-free travel, it's necessary to have a passport with a minimum of six months validity beyond the planned departure date and to purchase mandatory travel health insurance.