Brazil eVisa rules now apply to airside transit passengers at 2 hubs
How the transit rule works
Brazil started enforcing visa requirements on airside transit passengers on Aug. 26, 2024, closing a gap that previously let visa-required travelers connect through Brazilian airports without paperwork. Travelers whose nationality requires a Brazilian entry visa now need that visa even when staying inside the international transit zone, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security confirmed.
Carriers can refuse boarding and Brazilian authorities can reject arrivals at hubs like São Paulo,Guarulhos, sending passengers onward or back to origin. Brazilian law doesn't technically require transit visas for airside connections, so the change is an enforcement reinterpretation rather than a new statute, per Agência Brasil.
Who gets caught by it
The rule bites travelers from visa-required nationalities, with Indian passport holders among the most affected because Brazil sits on common routings between Asia and other parts of South America. Visa-exempt nationalities are unaffected for transit.
Two later shifts changed the picture for specific passports:
- Australians, Canadians and Americans lost visa-free access on April 10, 2025 and now need an eVisa for tourism, business or airport transit.
- Chinese ordinary passport holders get visa-free entry for stays up to 30 days from May 11, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2026, which sidesteps the transit issue during that window.
Digital nomads already holding a Brazilian residence permit or long-stay visa are covered for their own transits. The friction lands on visiting clients, partners and family members from visa-required countries who previously treated Guarulhos as a no-paperwork connection.
What travelers should do
Check nationality against Brazil's current visa list before booking any itinerary that touches a Brazilian airport, including same-terminal connections under three hours. Indian nationals routing through São Paulo need a VIVIS transit or visitor visa from the Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi, with onward ticket, destination visa where applicable, valid passport and photo.
Americans, Canadians and Australians can apply through Brazil's eVisa portal, which covers transit as well as tourism. Chinese travelers planning trips between May and December 2026 can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, no extension allowed.
Read our full Brazil guide for the complete picture and check ongoing visa updates before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a transit visa for an airside connection in Brazil?
When did Brazil start enforcing transit visa rules at airports?
Which travelers are most affected by Brazil's transit visa rule?
Do Americans, Canadians, and Australians need a visa for airport transit in Brazil?
Can Chinese passport holders transit through Brazil without a visa?
What should Indian nationals do if they are transiting through São Paulo?
Can Brazilian authorities stop me from connecting through Guarulhos if I do not have the right paperwork?
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