Brazilian citizens typically need a visa for United States

Yes, Brazilian citizens require a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States. Brazil is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so there is no ESTA option. The visa costs $185 to apply and requires an in-person interview at a US Embassy or Consulate in Brazil. A $250 Visa Integrity Fee has been enacted and will apply upon issuance once collection begins.

The confirmed cost is $185 (MRV application fee, non-refundable, increasing to $205 from 30 May 2026). A $250 Visa Integrity Fee has been signed into law and will be charged upon visa issuance once the Bureau of Consular Affairs begins collection — check the US Embassy website for the latest status. If the fee is active, the total would be approximately $435. If your visa is denied, you only lose the application fee.

The total timeline is typically 90-150 days from starting the application to receiving your visa. Most of this time is waiting for an interview appointment. After the interview, visa processing takes 3-10 business days for straightforward cases. Apply at least 4-6 months before your planned travel date.

Common questions include: Why are you visiting the US? Where will you stay? How long will you be there? Who is paying for your trip? What do you do for work in Brazil? Have you been to the US before? Do you have family in the US? Answer briefly, honestly, and confidently. Interviews typically last 2-5 minutes and may be in English or Portuguese.

Yes, you can apply at any of the five US consular locations: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Recife, or Porto Alegre. You are not restricted to your home state. Check all locations when booking — smaller consulates like Recife and Porto Alegre often have shorter wait times.

Brazilian applicants typically receive 10-year multiple-entry visas. Each visit allows a stay of up to 180 days as determined by the CBP officer at the port of entry. The 10-year validity does not mean you can stay for 10 years — it means you can use the visa to enter the US multiple times over that period.

The Visa Integrity Fee is a $250 charge enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025. It will be charged upon visa issuance — meaning you only pay it if your visa is approved. As of early 2026, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has not yet begun collecting this fee. Check the US Embassy website for the latest implementation status before applying.

Yes, since September 2025, most interview waivers have been eliminated for nonimmigrant visa categories. This means most Brazilian applicants — including those renewing previously approved visas — must attend an in-person interview. Limited exceptions remain for certain diplomatic visa categories and some B-1/B-2 renewals for Mexican nationals.

Yes, significantly. If you hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa, you qualify for the much simpler Canadian eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) at just CAD 7, instead of the full visitor visa process (CAD 100, 4-8 weeks). This is a major benefit of obtaining a US visa first if you plan to visit both countries.

If denied (typically under Section 214(b) for insufficient ties), you receive a refusal letter. You can reapply immediately with a stronger application, but you will need to pay the $185 fee again. There is no formal appeals process. Focus on addressing the specific reasons for refusal — usually by demonstrating stronger ties to Brazil or better financial documentation.