Brazilian US Visa 2026: $185 B1/B2 & Interview Guide

Do Brazilian Citizens Need a US Visa?

Yes, Brazilian citizens require a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment. Brazil is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so there is no ESTA option.

Key facts for 2026:

Application fee: $185 (increasing to $205 from 30 May 2026)
$250 Visa Integrity Fee enacted (check US Embassy for collection status)
Interview waivers largely eliminated since September 2025
Typical visa validity: 10 years, multiple entry
Max stay per visit: up to 180 days

Note Brazil reinstated visa requirements for US citizens effective April 10, 2025 (eVisa required). This reciprocity change does not affect the process for Brazilians visiting the US.

US Visa Types for Brazilian Visitors

Visa Type	Purpose	Typical Validity
B1	Business meetings, conferences, negotiations	Up to 10 years
B2	Tourism, medical treatment, family visits	Up to 10 years
B1/B2	Combined business and tourism	Up to 10 years

Most Brazilian applicants receive a combined B1/B2 visa valid for 10 years with multiple entries.

US Visa Requirements for Brazilian Citizens

DS-160 Application

The DS-160 is completed online at ceac.state.gov/genniv:

Passport and personal details
Travel history (last 5 years)
Work history (last 10 years)
Education history
Family information
Security questions

Critical since May 2025: The DS-160 confirmation barcode (starts with "AA") must match your appointment booking exactly. Double-check before submitting.

Required Documents

Essential:

Valid Brazilian passport (6+ months validity beyond intended stay)
DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
Visa appointment confirmation
Passport photo (51mm x 51mm, white background, taken within 6 months)

Financial Documents:

Bank statements (extrato bancário) — 3-6 months, showing regular income
Declaração de Imposto de Renda (income tax return) — most recent year
Holerites (pay stubs) — last 3 months
Property documents (matrícula do imóvel, IPTU receipts)

Employment Proof:

Declaração de vínculo empregatício (employment letter) with position, salary, start date, approved leave
CNPJ registration + business bank statements (if self-employed)
Contrato social (if business owner)

Travel Documents:

Travel itinerary (do not buy non-refundable flights before approval)
Hotel bookings (refundable recommended)
Return flight plan

US Consulate Locations in Brazil

São Paulo (Consulate General)

Address: Rua Henri Dunant, 500, Chácara Santo Antônio
Wait time: 120-150 days (highest demand)
Note: Busiest consulate in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro (Consulate General)

Address: Av. Presidente Wilson, 147, Centro
Wait time: 100-130 days

Brasília (Embassy)

Address: SES Av. das Nações, Quadra 801, Lote 03
Wait time: 90-120 days

Recife (Consulate General)

Address: Rua Gonçalves Maia, 163, Boa Vista
Wait time: 80-110 days (often shorter)

Porto Alegre (Consulate General)

Address: Rua Coronel Genuíno, 421, Centro
Wait time: 80-110 days (often shorter)

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Tip You can apply at any consulate regardless of your home state. Check all five for earlier appointment availability.

Application Process

Step 1: Complete DS-160

1Visit ceac.state.gov/genniv
2Save your application ID frequently (sessions time out after 20 minutes)
3Upload a digital photo meeting US specifications
4Submit and print the confirmation page

Step 2: Create Account & Pay Fee

Register at ustraveldocs.com/br
Pay $185 via boleto bancário or credit card
Keep the payment receipt for scheduling

Step 3: Schedule Interview

Book through ustraveldocs.com
Choose from five consulate locations
Check all locations for earliest availability

Step 4: Attend Visa Interview

Arrive 15 minutes early
Bring all original documents + copies
Interview typically lasts 2-5 minutes
May be conducted in English or Portuguese
Answer directly and honestly

Step 5: Await Processing

Most visas processed within 3-10 business days after interview
Passport returned via SEDEX or pickup
Track status at ceac.state.gov

Interview Preparation

Common Interview Questions

About Your Trip:

"Por que você quer visitar os Estados Unidos?" / "What is the purpose of your visit?"
"Quanto tempo pretende ficar?" / "How long will you stay?"
"Onde vai se hospedar?" / "Where will you stay?"
"Já foi aos EUA antes?" / "Have you been to the US before?"

About Your Ties to Brazil:

"O que você faz profissionalmente?" / "What do you do for work?"
"Qual é o seu salário?" / "What is your salary?"
"Tem imóvel próprio?" / "Do you own property?"
"É casado(a)? Tem filhos?" / "Are you married? Do you have children?"

Interview Tips for Brazilians

1Be confident and concise — 2-5 minute interview, don't over-explain
2Dress professionally — first impressions matter
3Speak the truth — inconsistencies between DS-160 and interview answers raise red flags
4Demonstrate ties — property, stable job, family in Brazil
5Travel history helps — previous trips to Europe, Japan, UK show return patterns
6Know your itinerary — have a clear plan, even if approximate

Fees

Fee Type	Amount (USD)	Amount (BRL approx.)
B1/B2 Application Fee (MRV)	$185	~R$ 1,000
Visa Integrity Fee (when active)	$250	~R$ 1,350
MRV Fee increase (from 30 May 2026)	$205	~R$ 1,100

Common Rejection Reasons (Section 214(b))

The most frequent denial reason for Brazilians is Section 214(b) — failure to demonstrate sufficient ties to Brazil:

1Weak financial documentation — inconsistent income, sudden large deposits
2Insufficient ties — no property, unstable employment, no family obligations
3Vague travel purpose — cannot explain why, where, how long
4Previous violations — overstays, unauthorized work
5Inconsistent information — DS-160 contradicts documents or interview answers

If Denied:

You can reapply immediately with stronger documentation
Pay the $185 fee again (non-refundable)
Address the specific reasons for refusal
No formal appeals process exists

Pro Tip: US Visa + Canadian eTA Strategy

If you plan to visit both the US and Canada, get your US visa first. A valid US nonimmigrant visa qualifies you for the Canadian eTA (CAD 7, approved in minutes) instead of the full visitor visa (CAD 100, 4-8 weeks). This saves significant time and money.

FAQs

How long is a US visa valid for Brazilians?

Typically 10 years with multiple entries. Each visit allows a stay of up to 180 days.

Can I choose any consulate in Brazil?

Yes, you can apply at any of the five locations. Use this to find shorter wait times.

How far in advance should I apply?

4-6 months before planned travel, given current 90-150 day wait times.

Do I need an interview for visa renewal?

Since September 2025, most interview waivers have been eliminated. Nearly all applicants must attend in person.

What is the Visa Integrity Fee?

A $250 fee enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It will be charged upon visa issuance once collection begins — check the US Embassy website for the latest status.