Brazil Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	1	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
British	Yes	No	Yes

Passports valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Notes

Brazilian nationals with dual nationality must enter and leave the country on their Brazilian passport. All children under 18 years of age, when not accompanied by both parents, must have a valid passport (passport must be valid for at least six months) and, if children are traveling alone or accompanied by a third party, both father and mother must give their children written travel authorization so they can enter, leave and travel within Brazil.

Children between the ages of three months and six years must have proof of vaccination against polio.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory for visitors arriving from infected areas.

All travelers must be in possession of onward or return tickets and sufficient funds to cover their stay.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart except the following:
1. Nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Malta who do require a visa) for tourist and business stays of up to 90 days.
2. Transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country by the same or first connecting flight, provided holding onward documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist: cost varies according to nationality and are in some cases based on reciprocity A tourist visa costs £28 for nationals of Australia, £52 for nationals of Canada, and nationals of the USA pay an £112 processing fee. Business and Transit: cost varies according to nationality; contact the consulate for details.

Validity

Normally 90 days from date of issue, although this is at the discretion of Brazilian immigration officials. Tourist visas can be used for multiple entry within the period of validity. Tourist visas can be extended up to a further 90 days, provided the application is made at least two weeks before the expiration of the visa. Nationals should apply in Brazil to the federal police; this must be done before the visa expires or there is a risk of deportation.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at the embassy). Applications made through travel agents or couriers cost an additional £16.

Working Days Required

Depends on nationality. Up to three days for applications made in person and 10 days for applications made by a third party. Applications made by a third party can incur an additional handling fee. Additional time is required to process applications made by post.

Travel Warnings

Most visits are trouble-free.

Travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Violence and threatened violence is a common occurrence in Rio de Janeiro. Travelers should be particularly vigilant in Rio de Janeiro before and during the festive and Carnival periods, as there is often a seasonal upsurge in robberies against foreigners around this time.

Levels of crime and violence are high, particularly in major cities. Travelers should be vigilant, especially when going out after dark. The sexual abuse of children is a serious crime and a widespread problem in Brazil.

There is a recent and contained outbreak of Yellow Fever in Brazil affecting the states of Goais and Federal District. Travelers are recommended to be vaccinated against the disease at least 10 days prior to visiting these areas and a number of other states in Brazil.

There is a Dengue Fever epidemic in Brazil; however, from January to July 2009, the number of Dengue Fever cases reported across several states of Brazil was down 46% compared to the same period in 2008. Still, 480,000 cases were officially recorded between January and October 2007. The states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso and Goias have been particularly affected, although occurrences of the disease have been reported throughout the region.

Following two air crashes since September 2006, the Brazilian civil aviation network is undergoing changes. Many of these alterations were introduced on 1 October 2007 and they could cause delays to flights and changes to departure and arrival airports. On 7 November 2007, BRA (Brasil Rodo Aereo) airline temporarily suspended all flights. Passengers with BRA tickets are advised to contact the company to have their tickets refunded or transferred to other airlines. Travelers are also advised to check the estimated departure time of their flight before leaving for the airport.

Drug trafficking and use is on the increase, with severe penalties in Brazil.
Dengue fever is endemic to Brazil and since January 2007 there have been significant outbreaks in the south of the country.

It is a legal requirement in Brazil to carry evidence of identity at all times. A photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport is acceptable. Southeast Brazil has suffered from severe flooding and landslides in early 2011, with 800 fatalities reported. Flooding has mainly affected Sao Paolo state, while landslides have disrupted large areas of Rio de Janeiro state. The towns of Nova Friburgo, Teresopolis, and Petropolis have been the worst affected.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK or USA. Full insurance is strongly recommended as medical costs are high. The standard of medical care is generally very good in major towns and cities. English-speaking medical staff are found mainly in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The main hospital in São Paulo is the Hospital das Clinicas.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes*
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	Sometimes**

Special Notes

* Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 900m (2,953ft) in Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Pará (except Belém City), Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins states, as well as some larger cities, such as on the periphery of Pôrto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapá, Manaus, Santerém, Rio Branco and Maraba.

** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over nine months old arriving within from infected regions. Vaccination is strongly recommended for those intending to visit some rural areas.