Whether it’s dancing through the streets of Rio during Carnival, exploring the lush Amazon rainforest, or sealing a business deal in São Paulo, Brazil has always been a dream destination for travellers from around the world. And in 2025, it’s clear the world agrees, Brazil welcomed a record-breaking 1.48 million international visitors in January alone.
While Brazil has introduced updated visa policies this year, particularly affecting countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, Indian passport holders are not directly impacted. Unlike those nationalities, who now face reinstated visa requirements from April 10, 2025, Indian travellers have always required a visa. Indian passport holders must continue to apply in advance through Brazilian consulates or authorised platforms. That said, staying informed and compliant with the latest visa regulations is essential to avoid last-minute issues and ensure a smooth, hassle-free journey.
What Changed in Brazil’s Visa Rules?
On April 10, 2025, Brazil brought back visa requirements for people from the US, Canada, and Australia. Before this, they could visit without a visa for short trips. This came after an earlier change in August 2024 that showed Brazil wants tighter control over who enters the country.
Good news for Indians: These changes don’t affect us. Our visa rules stayed the same. But it does show that Brazil is getting stricter about visas overall.
No Quick Visas for Indians – You Must Plan Ahead
Indian travellers should note that Brazil does not offer visa-on-arrival or e-visa facilities. Entry into Brazil is only permitted with a pre-approved Brazil visa obtained before departure. This means you must submit your application through a Brazilian consulate in India or an authorised visa processing platform well in advance of your travel dates.
The standard processing time ranges from 7 to 15 working days, but this can vary based on individual cases, peak travel seasons, or incomplete documentation. As such, it is strongly advised to avoid last-minute applications and to plan your visa process at least three to four weeks before your intended departure.
Failure to present a valid, pre-issued visa upon arrival in Brazil will result in denied entry and the requirement to return at your own expense, regardless of your travel purpose.
Why Brazil is Being More Careful with Indian Travellers
Recently, Brazil started checking Indian travellers more carefully. Why? Some people were using Brazil as a stepping stone to reach the US or Canada illegally.
Airport officials in São Paulo noticed this trend. They found that some Indians were misusing tourist or transit visas. After investigating human smuggling networks, Brazil decided to be stricter.
Now, when you arrive in Brazil, officials will ask more questions. They want to see:
- Clear travel plans
- Proof you’re coming back to India
- Evidence of why you’re visiting
If you can’t show these things, they might send you back home, even if you have a valid visa.
How to Get a Brazil Visa as an Indian?
If you want to visit Brazil in 2025, you need a Visitor Visa (VIVIS). This visa works for:
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Business meetings
- Cultural events
- Short medical treatments
- Training or educational programs
What Documents Do You Need?
- Indian passport (must be valid for at least 6 months)
- Completed application form with a recent photo
- Bank statements showing you have enough money
- Return flight ticket or invitation letter
- Hotel booking or proof of where you’ll stay
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if needed)
- Visa fee: About $80 (₹6,710)
Important tip: Make sure all your documents are complete and properly formatted. Missing papers will delay your application or get it rejected.
Transit Rules – When Do You Need a Visa?
If you’re just passing through Brazil to reach another country, you usually don’t need a visa. But this only works if you:
- Stay in the airport’s international area
- Don’t go through immigration
- Don’t leave the airport
You DO need a visa if you:
- Want to leave the airport
- Need to change airports
- Have a layover longer than 24 hours
What Happens if You Don’t Follow the Rules?
Don’t try to enter Brazil without proper documents. If you do, here’s what can happen:
- They’ll refuse to let you in
- You’ll have to pay for your flight back to India
- Your name gets flagged in international databases
- It becomes harder to get visas for other countries later
Brazil usually makes you pay for your own return flight. This wastes your money and time. Plus, it creates problems for future travel.
The Bottom Line
Brazil’s visa rules for Indians haven’t changed in 2025. But they’re enforcing these rules much more strictly now. Whether you’re travelling for fun, business, or just passing through, you need to be well-prepared.
Don’t think of Brazil as an easy way to reach other countries. That’s not what tourist visas are for, and Brazil is watching for this.
Here’s what you should do:
- Apply for your visa early
- Have all your documents ready
- Be honest about why you’re visiting
- Show proof that you’re planning to return to India
If you follow these simple steps, you’ll have a smooth trip to Brazil. The country is beautiful and worth visiting – just make sure you do it the right way.
