At any of the U.S. consulates in Brazil: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Porto Alegre, or the Embassy in Brasília. Pick the post with the shortest interview wait time.

Home/from/br/to/us

🇧🇷BRAZIL

🇺🇸UNITED STATESBR-US

Do Brazil passport holders need a visa to visit United States?

Q: How much does the B1/B2 visa cost?

USD 185 (the MRV fee), paid in Brazilian reais via the official payment channel. Visa issuance fees are typically waived for Brazilian applicants under reciprocity.

Q: Can I renew without an interview?

Yes — if your prior B1/B2 visa expired within the last 48 months and you meet the criteria, you can use the Interview Waiver (drop-box) program at CASV.

Q: Is the interview in Portuguese?

You can choose Portuguese or English. Most Brazilian applicants opt for Portuguese, and consular officers in Brazil are fluent.

B1/B2 visa required (USD 185). Brazil is not on the Visa Waiver Program — no ESTA option. Brazilian ordinary passport holders need a non-immigrant B1/B2 visa to enter the United States — Brazil is not currently a participant in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not an option. The application requires a DS-160 form, a USD 185 visa application fee (MRV fee, paid in BRL), an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and biometric collection. Brazilian applicants typically receive 10-year multiple-entry B1/B2 visas. Wait times for first-time interview appointments vary by post and can run from a few weeks to several months — São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro tend to be the busiest. Once the visa is issued, the actual length of stay is decided by Customs and Border Protection officers on arrival (typically up to 6 months per entry). Interview Waiver (drop-box renewal) is widely available for renewals within 48 months of expiry of the prior B1/B2.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27

Visa type

B1/B2 Visitor Visa (sticker)

Maximum stay

Up to 6 months per entry (CBP decision)

per entry

Entries

Multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 185 (MRV)

consular fee only

Processing time

Weeks to months (post-dependent)

standard track

Validity

Usually 10 years

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Complete DS-160 online

Fill the DS-160 non-immigrant visa application at ceac.state.gov. Upload a compliant photo. Print the confirmation page with the barcode.

· DS-160 required

/02

Pay the USD 185 MRV fee

Pay through Banco do Brasil or the official Brazilian payment portal in BRL. Keep the deposit slip / receipt.

· fee receipt

/03

Schedule appointments

Two appointments: biometrics at the CASV (Applicant Service Center) and the interview at the U.S. consulate. Pick a post (São Paulo, Rio, Recife, Porto Alegre, Brasília).

· two appointments

/04

Attend biometrics + interview

Provide fingerprints and a photo at CASV. Interview the consular officer; bring DS-160 confirmation, passport, fee receipt, photo, supporting documents.

· in-person interview

/05

Collect visa + travel

Passport with visa is returned via courier (DHL). On arrival, CBP decides the actual length of stay (typically up to 6 months).

· CBP at port of entry

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Brazilian passport

Valid 6+ months beyond stay, 2 blank pages

DS-160 confirmation page

With barcode

MRV fee receipt

USD 185 paid in BRL

Visa photo

5x5 cm, white background, recent

Interview appointment letter

Print or save digitally

Proof of ties to Brazil

Employment letter, property, family, school enrolment

Financial evidence

Bank statements (3-6 months), tax declaration, pay slips

Trip plan

Itinerary, hotel bookings, invitation letter if visiting family

Previous US visas / I-94

If applicable, for renewal context

Translator (if needed)

Interviews are in Portuguese or English at applicant's choice

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

B1/B2 MRV feeUSD 185Non-refundable, paid in BRL via official channels

Visa issuance feeUsually USD 0Reciprocity-based; Brazil generally not charged

Courier returnIncludedDHL pickup or home delivery

Interview Waiver (renewals)USD 185Available within 48 months of prior B1/B2 expiry

Overstay penalties3 or 10-year barStrict — overstays carry automatic bars

Total estimateUSD 185 — USD 185incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Interview Waiver (drop-box)

2-4 weeks

For renewals within 48 months of prior B1/B2 expiry. Documents dropped at CASV.

Standard interview

Weeks to months

First-time applicants and renewals outside the waiver window. Wait times vary by post.

Expedited / emergency

Days

Available for urgent medical, business, or humanitarian reasons with supporting documents.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Weak ties to Brazil

Section 214(b) refusals are common when officers aren't convinced applicants will return home. Stable job, family, property, and assets help.

Medium

/02

Inconsistent DS-160 answers

Discrepancies between DS-160 and interview answers (especially employment, family, travel history) lead to refusals.

Low

/03

Past US immigration issues

Prior overstays, denied entries, or visa refusals significantly complicate future applications.

Medium

/04

Suspected work intent

B1/B2 covers business meetings and tourism only — not paid employment in the US.

Low

/05

Criminal record

Certain convictions (drug, violent crime, moral turpitude) trigger ineligibility under INA §212(a).

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

CBP inspection

A visa lets you request admission. CBP decides the actual period of stay and records it in your I-94.

/02

Customs

Declare food, agricultural items, and cash over USD 10,000. Missing declarations can cause fines or seizure.

/03

Connectivity

Airport SIMs are expensive; eSIMs or prepaid plans bought online often work better for short trips.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-27

Brazil to US route verified

Confirmed B1/B2 USD 185, 10-year typical validity, Brazil not on VWP.

2023-06-10 · major

Brazil reciprocity visa requirement repealed for US, Canada, Australia, Japan

Brazil ended its inbound visa requirement for US/CA/AU/JP visitors. The US has not reciprocated — B1/B2 still required for Brazilians.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Brazilian citizens need a visa for the US?—

Yes — Brazil is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so all Brazilian travellers need a B1/B2 visitor visa or another non-immigrant category. There is no ESTA option for Brazilian passport holders.

How much does the B1/B2 visa cost?+

How long is the B1/B2 valid?+

Where do I apply?+

Can I renew without an interview?+

Is the interview in Portuguese?+

/11 — Passport tools