Brazil will grant visa-free entry to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports from May 11, becoming the latest South American country to ease access for the growing Chinese outbound travel market, the Brazilian government said, according to Xinhua.
The exemption applies to stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, transit, and artistic or sporting activities, and was published in the country’s official gazette. Brazilian authorities described the measure as reciprocal, following China’s earlier decision to grant visa-free entry to Brazilian nationals.
The waiver will remain in force until December 31, matching the current end date of China’s visa exemption for Brazilian citizens, according to VisasNews. Officials have not presented the policy as permanent, and any extension would require a separate announcement.
Chinese arrivals to Brazil have been rising steadily. More than 100,000 Chinese tourists visited the country in 2025, and arrivals in the first quarter of 2026 grew by 35% compared with the same period a year earlier, according to TV BRICS.
Brazil has also expanded its Approved Destination Status programme, which accredits agencies authorised to host Chinese tour groups. More than 300 agencies registered with Cadastur, Brazil’s tourism accreditation system, are currently authorised to provide specialised services for Chinese travellers.
Brazilian officials said further work is underway on staff training, safety standards and air connectivity between the two countries, as the government seeks to convert rising interest from Chinese travellers into higher arrival numbers. Brazil recorded more than 9.2mn international tourist arrivals in 2025, a record for the country, VisasNews reported.
