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Important Travel Restrictions for Travelers to Brazil

Visa Requirements
Brazil is a stickler for reciprocity when it comes to its requirements for issuance of visitor visas. If another country requires a visa and/or charges visa fees for Brazilian visitors, Brazil imposes a visa requirement and identical fees for citizens of that country. Citizens of the U.S., Canada and Australia require visitor visas to enter Brazil because those countries require visas of Brazilians. Usually a tourist visa is good for 5 years and for multiple entries. Each ENTRY into Brazil (whether you need a visa or not) is good for 90 days (60 days for Venezuelans). That can be extended ONCE within Brazil, but it takes a fair amount of paperwork, bureaucracy and running around town. It's easier to leave Brazil (even if it's just for a quick weekend in Buenos Aires) and return. Visitors are allowed to stay in Brazil for a maximum of 180 days in each calendar year. Visitors who exceed that limit can be considered "residents" for Brazilian income tax purposes, and people should know that Brazilian income taxes are VERY high and their tax system is extremely complicated! As of the date of this posting citizens of the following countries DO NOT require a visa to enter Brazil for tourism purposes and a stay of up to 90 days (except Venezuelans for a stay of up to 60 days): Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, the Netherlands, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, the Vatican, Venezuela IMPORTANT: Rules and requirements can change at any moment. For the most up-to-date information, consult the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate that serves the city in which you live. Many have websites with this information. Just Google for "Brazilian Embassy (or Consulate)(name of capital city or other large city)." For example, "brazilian consulate montreal." One rule that recently changed for U.S. travelers is that there is no longer a requirement to enter Brazil within 90 days of the issuance of your visa.

Heightened Flight Security Measures

A poster e-mailed about his experiences with U.S. Customs upon returning from Thailand. (Customs is now part of the new U.S. Homeland Security Department, as is Immigration and the Transportation Security Agency which conducts security checks on departing passengers.) The most recent incident was similar to what some other posters have reported upon their return from Brazil: very close questioning about amounts of money being carried on their person, requests to see the photos in their cameras and laptops, and baggage searches. It's clear from the nature of the questions that these intensified searches are aimed at detecting drug traffickers, money launderers, and/or pedophiles.

Unfortunately, Brazil, like Thailand, is a pedophile/drug dealing/money laundering magnet. So are some other popular Latin American and Caribbean destinations. Equally unfortunate is the fact that many of our readers fit the profile of such travellers, at least superficially. While you can't stop Customs or the TSA from questioning you either on your departure or return to the U.S., you can minimize your risk of being unjustly detained. At least a few things come to mind:

If you're carrying more than US$10,000 on you in cash or travellers checks, you MUST declare it to Customs before departure or upon entry. If you don't you could face criminal penalties and confiscation! Few people travel with that kind of cash on them, but on occasion some of our members who were buying property abroad have carried large sums with them, so be aware of the risks. In the case of Brazil, you also have to declare large sums to Brazilian Customs, and be subject to the same kinds of penalties if you don't. So unless it's absolutely necessary, don't carry large sums of cash! Other countries these days may have requirements similar to those of Brazil and the U.S., so before traveling with large sums of money be sure to check with that country's embassy or consulate for current information.

If you take a camera or laptop be sure there are NO suggestive photos on it of anybody who looks remotely under 18! If you're taking gifts, try to take things adults would use or wear. Avoid toys, kid's size clothing, or boxes of kid-type candy. If you ARE taking such things, be prepared to answer that you will be visiting local friends during your stay and these are gifts for their kids, or your godchild. You're less likely to look like a pedophile if you have adult-type gifts, as well.

You're probably better off, too, leaving behind any gay guides/materials. They can attract unwelcome attention. You should be able to find the information you need after you arrive on-line, by going to a cybercafe. As an added benefit your baggage will be less heavy, too!

Of course, you should also not be traveling with prohibited drugs. Be sure any prescription medicines are in their correct containers, with a pharmacist's label showing the name of the drug, doctor's name, prescription number, etc.

Unless you are a law enforcement officer and have complied with all national and airline regulations and procedures, DO NOT travel with a handgun or ammunition in your checked baggage. In some countries that can land you in jail, no questions asked!

If other experienced travelers have developed strategies for dealing with this heightened screening for drug traffickers, money launders and pedophiles that has affected many innocent people, please let us know!