World Cup Brazil 2014

In Brazil, the main piece of legislation about Immigration, Visas and related topics is Law nr. 6815, August 19th 1980. The Law remits to other Decrees (particularly Decree 86715, December 10th 1981) and Resolutions which cover more specific situations.

With the World Cup coming to Brazil, it is possible that we see changes and adaptations in the law, so as to reduce bureaucracy for the many tourists and professionals who are coming to watch and participate of the event. Until now, however, nothing has changed.

Article 4 of the Law specifies the seven kinds of Brazilian Visa:

- transit visas (for travelers going to another country, in transit through Brazil; valid for a maximum of ten days; not necessary if the traveler’s carrier is just making a necessary stop over)

- tourist visas

- temporary visas (including Visa for Volunteer Workers)

- permanent visas (for those who want to become a resident in Brazil)

- courtesy visas

- official visas

- diplomatic visas

Article 3 states that all Visas are granted at discretion of the Brazilian authorities, subject to national interests; article 26 states that even if a Visa is granted, the holder may be denied entry, on arrival to the country.

Article 7 lists the cases when a Visa shall not be granted: to minors of 18 years of age, if unaccompanied by parents or without their express permission; to anyone considered harmful to public order or national interests; to anyone who had been expelled from Brazil earlier; to anyone condemned or prosecuted in another country by a crime which may be subject to extradiction, according to the Brazilian law; to anyone who don’t satisfy the requirements of the Ministry of Health of Brazil.

As far as the World Cup is concerned, two kinds of Visa are of particular interest:

Tourism Visas: for those who have no intention of immigrating or working, i.e., the vast majority of people coming to watch the matches. Read more about Tourist Visas to Brazil.

Temporary Visas: applies to anyone who intends to study or work in Brazil, such as volunteers, students, business people, sports people and journalists.

Read more about Immigration Laws to Brazil.

Update, August 6th 2010: Brazil and European Union to sign a visa waiver agreement.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 1st, 2010 at 9:38 pm and is filed under legislation, travel.