Brazil Visa RequirementsFor New Zealand passport holders
New Zealand citizens can visit Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days. Brazil is South America's largest country, offering extraordinary diversity from the Amazon rainforest to Rio de Janeiro's beaches and Iguazu Falls.
Great news! New Zealand passport holders can enter Brazil without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa is required for NZ citizens for stays up to 90 days. Brazil's main entry airports are Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG). NZ passport holders proceed through immigration without a visa. The 90-day stay is from the date of entry. Yellow fever vaccination is required or strongly recommended for travel to the Amazon and certain states; check vaccination requirements for your specific itinerary and ensure your NZ International Certificate of Vaccination is up to date.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid New Zealand Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of departure from Brazil, such as a return flight booking or onward travel itinerary.
Proof of Accommodation Recommended
Hotel reservation, Airbnb booking, or address where you will be staying in Brazil.
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Credit cards, bank statements, or cash to cover your expenses during your stay in Brazil.
Travel Insurance Recommended
Strongly recommended for all international travel, covering medical emergencies.
Current Travel Situation
New Zealand to Brazil: What You Need to Know
Brazil is a massive and diverse country that rewards New Zealand travellers with its scale and variety. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, the Amazon basin, Iguazu Falls, the Pantanal wetlands, and the beaches of Florianopolis are all major draws. Brazil and New Zealand have a bilateral visa-free agreement allowing 90 days without a prior visa. Portuguese is the national language: some English in tourist areas but much of the country requires Portuguese. Brazil is geographically distant from NZ: flights typically route via Los Angeles or Buenos Aires.
How to Get There
No direct flights connect Auckland to Brazil. Most NZ travellers route via Los Angeles (connecting to GRU or GIG, approx 25-28 hours total). Some travellers use Buenos Aires as a connecting point. LATAM Airlines is the main carrier for South America connections. Within Brazil, GOL, LATAM, and Azul offer extensive domestic networks. The Buenos Aires-Rio bus journey (18 hours) is possible for those touring South America overland.
Money & Banking
Brazil uses the Brazilian Real (BRL). Currently around 3.5-4.0 BRL per NZD. Brazil is moderately affordable by Western standards. Street food (pastel, pao de queijo) costs BRL 5-15. A mid-range restaurant meal costs BRL 50-100. Rio de Janeiro is more expensive than most Brazilian cities. Card payments accepted in most urban establishments. ATMs widely available but use machines inside bank branches for security.
Practical Tips
Register for Brazil's tourism portal before arrival to speed up immigration. Brazil has a complex internal geography: domestic flights are the most practical way to cover the distances. Book flights well in advance as Brazil's domestic aviation is sometimes expensive. Uber works in all major cities. Safety awareness is important in urban areas: avoid displaying valuable items and use ATMs inside banks or malls. Rio de Janeiro favelas (shantytowns) are best explored on official guided tours only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do NZ citizens need a visa for Brazil?
No. NZ citizens can visit Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days under a bilateral agreement. No advance application is needed: present your NZ passport at Brazilian immigration on arrival.
What are the best things to see in Brazil?
Rio de Janeiro (Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Carnaval), Iguazu Falls (one of the world's great natural wonders, on the Brazil-Argentina border), the Amazon rainforest (accessible from Manaus or Belem), the Pantanal (world's largest tropical wetland, incredible wildlife), Salvador da Bahia (Afro-Brazilian culture), and Florianopolis (beaches and lagoons).
Is Brazil safe for NZ tourists?
Brazil requires heightened caution in urban areas. Avoid displaying smartphones, cameras, or jewelry in public. Use ATMs inside bank branches or shopping malls. Be cautious in favela (slum) areas: only visit on official organized tours. Rio de Janeiro's tourist areas (Copacabana, Ipanema, Santa Teresa) have a police presence. Take Uber rather than street taxis at night. Check NZ MFAT travel advisories regularly.
What vaccinations do NZ travellers need for Brazil?
Yellow fever vaccination is required or strongly recommended for travel to the Amazon basin, Mato Grosso, and other jungle regions. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended for most travellers. Malaria tablets may be needed for jungle areas. Dengue fever is prevalent in urban areas: use strong insect repellent (DEET 30%+) and cover up at dawn and dusk.
When is Carnaval and how do I plan a trip around it?
Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval is held in February (date varies: it is the 4 days before Ash Wednesday). It is the world's largest carnival. Book accommodation 12+ months in advance for Carnaval period. Sambadrome parade tickets must also be booked well in advance. Salvador da Bahia's Carnaval is also world-famous and considered wilder and more participatory.
How do I visit Iguazu Falls from New Zealand?
Fly Auckland-Sao Paulo or Auckland-Buenos Aires (approximately 25-28 hours including connection), then connect to Foz do Iguacu (IGU) in Brazil. Iguazu Falls are on the Brazil-Argentina border: the Brazilian side offers panoramic views, the Argentine side offers close-up trail access. Spend at least 2 days to see both sides. A visa is required for Argentina separately.
Is Portuguese spoken throughout Brazil and do I need it?
Portuguese is the only official language of Brazil. Unlike Spanish-speaking South America, Portuguese in Brazil has limited overlap. English is spoken in upmarket hotels, tourist agencies, and some restaurants in Rio and Sao Paulo, but very little elsewhere. Learn basic Portuguese phrases or use a translation app. Brazilians are generally very warm and patient with non-Portuguese speakers.
What is Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval experience like for a NZ visitor attending for the first time?
Rio's Carnaval (held in February) is the world's largest party. The Sambadrome parade (over 5 nights) features samba schools of thousands of dancers in elaborate costumes, judged on music, theme, costumes, and dancing. Bleacher tickets (sectors 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 for the best experience) cost USD 50-200+. Street blocos (free neighborhood parades) happen throughout the city for weeks beforehand. Book 12 months ahead for accommodation.