Brazil does not have a separate "business visa" in the way many travellers expect. Business trips are covered by the visitor visa (VIVIS) — the same category as tourism. What changes is not the document but what you are allowed to do once you are there, and that line is drawn quite precisely.
What you can do as a business visitor
- Attend meetings with clients, suppliers or partners.
- Take part in fairs, congresses and business events.
- Carry out journalistic coverage or filming.
All of it on one condition: you do not carry out paid activity in Brazil, and the visit does not exceed 90 days.
What you cannot do
You cannot work for pay in Brazil. Taking a job, being hired locally or performing paid services for a Brazilian company falls outside the visitor category — that requires a temporary work visa, which is a different application entirely.
The distinction is about where the work relationship sits, not where you are sitting. Attending a meeting for your employer abroad is a visit. Being paid by a Brazilian company for work done in Brazil is not.
Payments you may still receive
The rule is narrower than it first sounds. As a visitor you may receive:
- Daily allowances and reimbursement of travel expenses.
- Artistic fees.
- Prize money from sporting, artistic or cultural competitions.
The paperwork
If you are travelling for business, expect to show a document proving the purpose of the trip — an invitation from the company, the event registration, or a letter from your employer.
If you hold a passport from the United States, Canada or Australia, you have needed a visa since 10 April 2025, and the e-Visa covers business as well as tourism. How it works is explained in our guide to the Brazil tourist visa.
How long a business trip can last
Ninety days, like any visitor. It can be extended, but only under the conditions explained in how long a foreigner can stay in Brazil — in person at the Federal Police, before your current period expires.
Frequently asked questions about the Brazil business visa
Is there a separate business visa for Brazil?
No. Business travel is covered by the visitor visa (VIVIS), the same category used for tourism.
Can I attend a conference on a visitor visa?
Yes. Conferences, fairs and business events are permitted activities, as long as you are not being paid to work in Brazil.
Can I be reimbursed for my expenses?
Yes. Daily allowances and travel expenses are allowed, as are artistic fees and prize money from competitions.
What if my trip turns into actual work in Brazil?
That is a different visa category. Speak to the Brazilian consulate before changing the nature of your stay.
Visa categories and permitted activities depend on your nationality and your specific case. General information, current as of August 2026 — confirm with the Brazilian consulate for your country. Source: Ministério das Relações Exteriores.
Travelling to Brazil for work and want medical cover that follows you? See how an online consultation works — in English, from your hotel, with no Brazilian documents needed.