Brazil Introduces Electronic Temporary Visas for Exempt Nationalities

The Brazilian government announced the digital issuance of temporary visas (VITEM) for certain foreign nationals. This new system, which officially began on 1 September 2026, applies to those from countries already exempt from visitor visa requirements (VIVIS). It affects travellers requiring VITEM for purposes such as study, work, family reunification, or digital nomad status, rather than short tourist or business trips.

The change means applicants will no longer need to physically submit their passports to consulates for a visa sticker. Instead, approved visas will be issued as a PDF document with a QR code and sent electronically to the applicant. While the stated start date has passed, the full operational rollout across all consulates is still in progress, and existing eligibility requirements and post-arrival registration rules persist. Consular fees and document requirements, including those for prior residence authorisation, remain unchanged.