Brazil e-Visa Problems

[Mavica]

I've had difficulty with the Brazil e-Visa process and wonder if others have had similar experiences.  On September 2nd I applied online and paid for the visa.  Several times the agency processing the visa requests has rejected the photo of myself that I took and the photo of the identification page of my passport (VFS Gobal).  At the request of VSF Global I FedEx'ed the passport photo and passport page.  I continue to receive e-mails stating my application will not be processed due to lack of photo / passport page.  I've called the VSF Global telephone number provided for Brazil and a half-dozen times have been disconnected.  This a.m. I finally got through and on and off the person on the line, who had difficulty with the VoIP connection and terminated the call - three times.  I don't know how to resolve this before my application is rejected for being incomplete.  Suggestions?  Thank you.

[babybear2]

I had issues with photos too. I fixed it by uploading a new version based on their requirements on their website, and it went through, got visa a coupe days later.

I do not remember you need to Fedex anything ... only need to upload again 

also you can check reddit/brazil, there is a mega thread about visa there 

 

[floridarob]

Up load with a new photo, took me several tries, frustrating.

Also had this issue with visas from other countries, when I was in Laos for an emergency passport and got my picture taken at a passport photo place, I also bought the digital file and haven't had any problems anywhere with this image.

Maybe go to a passport photo place and do the same?
 

 

[Mavica]

1 hour ago, babybear2 said:

I had issues with photos too. I fixed it by uploading a new version based on their requirements on their website, and it went through, got visa a coupe days later.

I do not remember you need to Fedex anything ... only need to upload again 

also you can check reddit/brazil, there is a mega thread about visa there 

 

Mutiple photo uploads were rejected, on the grounds of the pixels in the photo.  I was instructed to send the Photo and other document copy via FedEx using a shipping label created by VSF.  See below.

 

Quote

 

Dear eVisa Applicant,

 

We have noticed that there are some issues with either the photo specifications or the passport bio page requirements in your Brazil eVisa application.

While all necessary guidelines are available on the official eVisa website, we understand that the process can sometimes feel overwhelming. 

To assist you, we’ve provided a convenient solution, you can courier the missing documents to us.

 

Please click here to book a FedEx courier service. After booking, you will receive a FedEx airway bill via email. Then, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit a professional photo studio to have your photo taken according to the attached specifications.
2. Print a color copy of your passport bio page.
3. Drop off the documents, along with your airway bill, at your nearest FedEx location.

Once we receive your documents, our team will review and upload the corrected files on your behalf to help you complete your application.

Note: You have 7 days to provide the mandatory documents. If we do not receive them in time, your current application will stand cancelled, and you’ll need to start a new one.

Please ignore this e-mail If you have successfully submitted your application.

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Kind regards,

 

There has been nobody to speak with at the VSF English language telephone number ... who speaks English when I've called.

[babybear2]

3 minutes ago, Mavica said:

Mutiple photo uploads were rejected, on the grounds of the pixels in the photo.  I was instructed to send the Photo and other document copy via FedEx using a shipping label created by VSF.  See below.

 

There has been nobody to speak with at the VSF English language telephone number ... who speaks English when I've called.

... you seem to entered a loophole very few people entered, good luck!

you could take a new photo at CVS and upload, it is easier 

[Mavica]

Okay, finally ... I found an e-Mail address for the VSF Brazil desk, and someone read it.  My document images have passed quality control.  Now it's on to Consular or other approval.

Quote

 

Dear xxx,

I trust this email finds you well.

We are pleased to inform you that we have successfully addressed and resolved the query you recently brought to our attention. We appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout the process.

If you have any further questions or concerns related to this matter or any other issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Your feedback is vital to us as we constantly strive to provide excellent customer service. Please click www.vfsglobal.com to provide any feedback or suggestions you may have.

 

 

Quote

 

Thank you for using the Brazil Visa Application Service, provided by VFS Global.

Your visa application is currently being reviewed by Brazil Immigration and is in process.

You can now follow the status of your application here.

If you have any queries or concerns, please visit our FAQs page or Contact Us directly.

Please be advised that VFS Global never requests upfront payments from visa applicants via email or phone to proceed with their visa applications. If you encounter any instances of fraud, please visit here

“Please note that consular posts may take up to 10 business days to process the application once it has been completed, verified for accuracy, and submitted to the respective consular post for their analysis”

Thank you,

Customer Support - Brazil Visa Service

 

 

[Mavica]

Finally, I received my visa today. 🙂

[sydneyboy1]

This sounds like a nightmare. A cynic would argue they are actively discouraging visitors.

[Mavica]

IDK, I’m assuming I did something wrong at the beginning of the process that once done couldn’t be undone without some intervention.  Because I didn’t wait until the last minute to apply it was resolved a week before I leave for Rio and other than my angst no harm / no foul. Lesson learned?  Apply early.

[Mavica]

Four days before I leave for Brazil, visa in hand, and I'm starting to think President Trump may ban travel to the country before I depart. Though, my flight into Rio doesn't depart from the USA.  Instead, it's via Panama to/from.

[hornyfrog]

On 9/19/2025 at 7:00 PM, sydneyboy1 said:

This sounds like a nightmare. A cynic would argue they are actively discouraging visitors.

USA, Canada and Australia — the only 3 countries whose citizens are required by Brazil to obtain an e-Visa for entry for tourism, business, or transit purposes — make up only 14% of its total international tourists, and its tourism economy. Citizens of over 100 countries, including the EU, UK, most South American countries, New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, and Singapore, enjoy visa-free entry to Brazil for up to 90 days. The rest do traditional visa through their Brazilian consulates or embassies in their respective countries.

Meanehile, Brazil’s tourism has had 48% surge in international arrivals and a 62% increase in tourism arrivals compared to 2022.

Brazil’s doing quite alright on tourism — with or without the 3 countries whose citizens are slightly inconvenienced by the e-visa process. 

[sydneyboy1]

1 hour ago, hornyfrog said:

USA, Canada and Australia — the only 3 countries whose citizens are required by Brazil to obtain an e-Visa for entry for tourism, business, or transit purposes — make up only 14% of its total international tourists, and its tourism economy. Citizens of over 100 countries, including the EU, UK, most South American countries, New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, and Singapore, enjoy visa-free entry to Brazil for up to 90 days. The rest do traditional visa through their Brazilian consulates or embassies in their respective countries.

Meanehile, Brazil’s tourism has had 48% surge in international arrivals and a 62% increase in tourism arrivals compared to 2022.

Brazil’s doing quite alright on tourism — with or without the 3 countries whose citizens are slightly inconvenienced by the e-visa process. 

Thank you for adding some perspective. I would argue that the visa system is more than just a slight inconvenience.

[bobgerm]

Try to get an US visa.

[babybear2]

15 hours ago, Mavica said:

Four days before I leave for Brazil, visa in hand, and I'm starting to think President Trump may ban travel to the country before I depart. Though, my flight into Rio doesn't depart from the USA.  Instead, it's via Panama to/from.

why do you worry about this?? lol

[Mavica]

1 hour ago, babybear2 said:

why do you worry about this?? lol

If you don't understand, there's nothing more I can say explaining it to you.

[Mavica]

13 hours ago, sydneyboy1 said:

Thank you for adding some perspective. I would argue that the visa system is more than just a slight inconvenience.

I'm recalling that when Brazil previously required a visa for USA citizens the fee may have been more, or about the same, and I had to go to the Consulate with paperwork and again to pick-up my passport with the visa stamped into it.  The 10-year e-Visa is overall easier to obtain, particularly because I live 2 hours away from the closest Consulate and everything is done online.  The difficulty I encountered may have been precipitated by something I did or didn't do during the online process.  

[sydneyboy1]

1 hour ago, Mavica said:

I'm recalling that when Brazil previously required a visa for USA citizens the fee may have been more, or about the same, and I had to go to the Consulate with paperwork and again to pick-up my passport with the visa stamped into it.  The 10-year e-Visa is overall easier to obtain, particularly because I live 2 hours away from the closest Consulate and everything is done online.  The difficulty I encountered may have been precipitated by something I did or didn't do during the online process.  

Pre COVID I used a visa service company about 15 minutes walk from where I live. I would take my passport, photo and they would complete the necessary documentation, take everything to the consulate and I would return a few days later  all for a comparatively modest fee. Nothing could have more simple. The company was a victim of the pandemic. 

[Mavica]

2 hours ago, sydneyboy1 said:

Pre COVID I used a visa service company about 15 minutes walk from where I live. I would take my passport, photo and they would complete the necessary documentation, take everything to the consulate and I would return a few days later  all for a comparatively modest fee. Nothing could have more simple. The company was a victim of the pandemic. 

Yes.  Thank you.

[Mavica]

Another question prior to leaving for Brazil tomorrow evening:  is there a requirement to complete an online Customs form, or a paper form distributed by the airline?  Thank you.

[Mavica]

2 hours ago, Mavica said:

Another question prior to leaving for Brazil tomorrow evening:  is there a requirement to complete an online Customs form, or a paper form distributed by the airline?  Thank you.

I answered my own questions.  Found the Immigration and the Customs forms online and completed them to bring with me. 😁

[buttercawan]

Strange, I never had to fill out any form to go to Brazil. 

[sydneyboy1]

As an aside Chile has dropped its visa requirement for Australians. Good news for those opt as I have in the past for an overnight stay in Santiago on the way back from Brazil.

[floridarob]

On 9/25/2025 at 2:24 PM, Mavica said:

I answered my own questions.  Found the Immigration and the Customs forms online and completed them to bring with me. 😁

Don't need those.

[Traveler365]

I got my e-visa. They recommend printing it out and taking with you . Do they actually check the printed copy?

[floridarob]

8 hours ago, Traveler365 said:

Do they actually check the printed copy?

Yes... some kept a copy, some only looked at it, but definitely print at least 2 copies