Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for Brazil?
Official Requirement
Visa-free
for South Africa citizens travelling to Brazil
Passport holders from visa-exempt countries may enter Brazil without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, transit, or attendance at conferences, provided no paid activity is undertaken in Brazil.
Last checked 5 months ago (18 April 2026)
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
No visa needed for this trip
South Africa passport holders can enter Brazil for short visits without a visa. Check that your passport stays valid for the whole stay, carry proof of onward travel, and confirm the current entry conditions on the official source before you fly.
Official Brazil entry requirements →
Rio de Janeiro
The short answer
South African citizens do not need a visa to enter Brazil for stays of up to 90 days. No visa is needed before travelling to Brazil for a short tourist or business visit. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. Entry rules change without notice, so the requirement is read again from the official source on a schedule and the date above is the last time that happened. The official source for this corridor is linked on this page and should be checked before booking. Where the destination government and the traveller's own government disagree, the destination government decides, because it is the one that writes the rule. This was last checked on 18 April 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting Brazil
- Requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days
- Official source
- Official source for this route →
Step by step
How South African citizens enter Brazil
Check your passport is valid for the whole trip. Many countries also want it valid for a period beyond your departure date, so confirm the exact rule on the official page below.
Plan a trip of 90 days or fewer. Beyond that, Brazil needs a different permission and this page does not cover it.
Carry proof of onward or return travel and of where you are staying. Border officers ask for both, and an airline can refuse boarding without them.
Check the requirement again close to your departure date. This route was last checked on 18 April 2026, and rules change without notice.
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Avoid Some Regions
UK FCDO: The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Amazonas State, including stretches of the Amazon River and its tributaries west of Codajas and east of Belem do Solimoes, the Itaquai River, the Japura River and its tributaries, and the Rio Negro north or west of Barcelos. It does not advise against travel to the rest of Brazil.
Updated 2026-08-15 11:41:06
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering Brazil
No. South African citizens can enter Brazil without a visa for a short tourist or business visit. This was last checked on 18 April 2026.
Up to 90 days on this entry route. A longer trip needs a different permission, which this page does not cover. A border officer decides the length granted on the day.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Brazil uses BRL. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 18 April 2026.
Full change history for this route →