Do You Need A Visa For Brazil From South Africa

Traveling to Brazil and want to find out how you can get a Brazilian visa? You’ve come to the right place.  We’ll cover everything you need to know and help you apply for the right visa, when you read our guide on how to get a Brazil visa from South Africa. Along with this, we’ll also help you understand exactly what a tourist visa to Brazil is like and show you the best ways to stay safe and secure in this popular tourist destination during your visit.

Brazil is one of the most visited countries in the world. Yet, getting a visa to visit Brazil can be harder than it looks. The Brazil Visa application and process is an important piece of most South Africans’ trip preparations and the kind that one wants to be sure of when they venture over on vacation. In this article I will walk you through the steps on how to get a Brazilian visa as a South African citizen. This guide will also give you some great advice on how to make Brazil Visa Application as smooth as possible. So, let’s begin with what types of visas there are, and who needs them before getting started with the application process to get your Brazil Visa.

Do You Need A Visa For Brazil From South Africa

Did you know that you can travel to Brazil without a visa? If you are a citizen of the right country, then this might be the case. There are several different types of visas and lots of things you have to consider before traveling to Brazil. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about how to get to Brazil (and stay for a while) without needing a visa first.

Information for South Africans travelling to Brazil

General information to South Africans travelling to Brazil

Registration of South Africans Abroad (ROSA)

South Africans travelling abroad are encouraged to register their trips online via Registration of South Africans Abroad (ROSA)

ROSA allows the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to locate you and offer consular assistance in case of emergencies.

ROSA link: www.dirco.gov.za/consular/index.html

VISA Requirements

South African passport holders are not required to obtain a visa before travelling to Brazil. Visa free entry into Brazil is valid for 90 days. It may be required that tourists satisfy immigration officers by proving that they have the means to support themselves during their stay and that they are in possession of return flight tickets. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months with enough blank pages. To carry additional passport photographs is useful should you need an emergency travel certificate.

Yellow Fever Certificate

Visitors from the yellow-fever belt in the Americas and other countries as well as those, who travel through or disembark in these areas, have to be inoculated against the disease. It is recommended that you have the required inoculation at least 10 days before you travel .You will need to prove your inoculation status when you arrive back in South Africa by presenting a certificate.

Travel Insurance

It is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling abroad. Travel insurance should cover hospitalisation and related medical costs as well as a possible emergency evacuation.

Language

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil and is spoken by more than 99% of the population. Knowing a couple of words in Portuguese will be beneficial. Learn at least a few key phrases. A modest command of the local language will go a long way. English is also spoken by some Brazilians.

Communication

The operation of a foreign mobile phone number in Brazil depends on the technology used and on compatibility with Brazilian operators. Service tariffs vary depending on the operator. Before travelling please check with your South African service provider the conditions for using a mobile phone in Brazil. The following mobile service providers are available in Brazil: TIM (41), Claro (21), Oi (31), Vivo (15) and Nextel.

Phoning out of Brazil to South Africa

To make an international call to South Africa, the mobile number must be preceded by an international access code depending on the mobile operator followed by 27, South Africa’s international country code. For example in case of Tim mobile operator, the number is 00 41 (operator code) then 27 followed by the relevant phone number excluding the zero.

Currency and Exchange

The Brazilian currency is the Real (R$). There are bills of R$2, R$5, R$10, R$20, R$50 and R$100. Dollars and travelers checks can be exchanged at the airports, banks, travel agencies and authorized hotels. All major credit cards can be used. Brazilian banks have developed an efficient Information Technology infrastructure, holders of major credit cards can use Brazilian ATMs to access their accounts and withdraw cash (other transactions are limited). Pin-based debit cards are accepted too and please remember to notify your bank in advance that you will be travelling abroad.

Electricity

The electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 volts AC 50Hz. Voltage in Brazil varies between 110V and 220V 60Hz, depending on the region. Adapters are obtainable locally. Voltage distribution varies in Brazil. Both Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo use 110V although some hotels might have plugs catering for 220v appliances.

Lost passports

It will not be a bad idea to travel around with certified photocopies of your valuable documents, keeping the originals in a safe place in a hotel. If you lose your passport, report the loss as soon as possible to the local police station. Take a copy of the police report to the Embassy/Consulate to apply for an emergency travel document.

Personal Security

We are exposed to crime everywhere in the world and basic precautionary measures will contribute to ensuring your safety.

• Do not accept or carry parcels, baggage or any items that you have not packed personally.
• Do not offer to collect parcels on behalf of other persons.
• Never leave your luggage and other possessions unattended.
• Possessing or smuggling drugs is a criminal offence in almost all countries.
• In case of prescribed medication, carry a copy of the doctor’s prescription.
• Obtain information from the hotel in which you are staying on security related precautions in the area.
• Remember to store valuables in the safety deposit box and keep your room locked at all times.

Preparation and knowledge are key to a successful trip abroad. When travelling abroad the laws of the foreign country apply to everybody. South Africans are not exempt from local foreign legislation and will not receive special treatment.

South Africans are encouraged to learn about the financial, customs, political, cultural and economic environment of Brazil to have a most enjoyable stay.