Brazil Visas For Film Shoots
Getting you paperwork straight before traveling to Brazil
BRAZIL VISA OVERVIEW
If you're a producer or a production company planning to shoot a film, video, or photo project in Brazil, you may be asking: "does my crew need a visa to enter Brazil legally?"
This is a critical question, as visa requirements vary significantly depending on the nationality of your crew members.
While citizens from all European Union and most Latin American countries do not require a visa for short stays, citizens from other countries may need to obtain a VIVIS (tourism/business) visa to execute shoots in Brazil legally.
Also, as of April 10th, 2025, citizens of the United States, Australia and Canada are required to get an eVisa to travel to Brazil for tourism or business. That process can be done online at the following website: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/. We recommend allowing 2 weeks minimum for eVisa applications.
THESE ARE THE COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS NEED A VIVIS VISA TO ENTER BRAZIL: Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic of the), Congo (Republic of the), Cuba, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Cyprus, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Somaliland, South Ossetia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Transnistria, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
THESE ARE THE COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENS DO NOT NEED A VIVIS VISA TO ENTER BRAZIL: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.
BRAZIL VISA REQUIREMENT
If your crew members are nationals of a country included in the Brazilian government’s visa-required list, it is essential for your company to partner with Brazil Production Services (BPS) to facilitate the visa application process and to make sure you are preparing for your Brazil trip so that you don’t have any headaches upon your crew’s arrival in the country.
When you work with us, our team will expedite and handle all necessary paperwork and communications with Brazilian authorities on your behalf that we are legally allowed to do.
If your crew needs a VIVIS visa, we highly recommend starting your visa application process at least six weeks before your planned shoot, as processing times can extend to a month or more depending on your country of origin.
A timely application ensures that you avoid potential delays that could impact your filming schedule.
Now, suppose your country is on the visa-exempt list. In that case, you can travel to Brazil and conduct your shoot with a valid passport and registration with ANCINE (Agência Nacional do Cinema), Brazil's national film agency, which is also something we can help you with. ANCINE registration is crucial, granting you the legal right to film in Brazil and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
TRAVEL SUPPORT SERVICES
BPS also offers comprehensive travel support tailored to your production needs, regardless of where your shoot will occur across Brazil. The country is quite large, so internal travel across states may be required and you may need our assistance in getting your crew where it must go.
Our highly skilled producers will assist you in finding the best travel and lodging solutions that fit your budgetary and other requirements to pull off your shoot well at your filming location.
Our travel support services include:
Domestic flights / Air Freight:
We can coordinate all necessary internal flights to ensure your crew and equipment arrive at your desired locations promptly.
Airport transfers:
From shuttles to luxury vehicles, we provide a range of transportation options to make your arrivals and departures seamless.
Accommodations:
We help you secure comfortable lodging options, whether you prefer high-end hotels, serviced apartments, or other accommodations, and we can even recommend leisure activities for you to partake in during your stay.
Specialty travel arrangements:
For productions with unique logistical requirements – such as those that demand boat travel, chartered planes, or helicopters – we have the expertise, experience and local contacts to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Our team understands the complexities of filming in Brazil and is committed to make your experience in the country as efficient and enjoyable as possible.
Our team understands the complexities of filming in Brazil and is committed to make your experience in the country as efficient and enjoyable as possible.
Let BPS help you with your Brazil travel plans.
When you partner with us, you gain access to a wealth of local knowledge and experience navigating the intricacies of filming in Brazil.
Our connections with government agencies, local vendors, and logistics providers will ensure that your production meets all regulatory requirements and operates smoothly.
If you have any questions regarding the visa application process, ANCINE registration, or travel logistics, please contact us today to take your first step toward a smooth and successful shoot in Brazil!