Embassy of the United States

IMPORTANT

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Brazil changed the nonimmigrant visa application process on April 30, 2012. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Welcome

Welcome to the Visa information of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia and of the U.S. Consulates in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Recife.

Every day, the United States welcomes thousands of visitors and immigrants from all over the world. The Consular Section's Visa Units can help you sort through whether or not you need a visa, what kind of visa you need, and what you need to do to apply for a visa.

•  If you wish to move permamently to the United States, then please select Immigrant Visas.
• If you wish to go to the United States for a short period, then please first select Visa Waiver Program to see if you are eligible to travel visa-free. If your trip does not meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program, then please select Nonimmigrant Visas.

What is a Visa?

A visa is a document issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and placed in the bearer's passport. A visa entitles the holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does not guarantee entry. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer at the port of entry determines the visa holder's eligibility for admission into the United States and the length of stay.

We hope that you will find our website useful. Please use the links on the left to find further information on our services.

Warning

For security reasons, visa applicants and American citizens are not allowed to enter the Applicant Service Centers (ASC), Consulates or the Embassy grounds with bags (with the exception of one small purse), cell phones or any other electronic devices.