• Florianópolis - State of Santa Catarina
  • Mon. - Fra. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (BRT)

Entering Brazil on a tourist visa

Benefits:

  • Ease of obtaining. Usually easier and quicker to issue compared to other types of visas.
  • Allows you to travel across the country and does not require a specific travel purpose.

Disadvantages:

  • Time limit. Usually issued for a short period of time (up to 90 days), which may not be enough time for labor and recovery.
  • Problems with border guards. If you do not have a return ticket or medical documents, there may be questions at entry.

To enter Brazil on a tourist visa, a foreign woman in labor will need the following documents:

  • Passport. A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity.
  • Visa. Tourist visa (if required to visit Brazil from your country).
  • Place of lodging. Confirmation of hotel reservation or address where you will be staying.
  • Proof of financial solvency. Bank statement or documents proving the availability of funds for the duration of the stay. For a pregnant foreign woman planning to enter Brazil on a tourist visa, the minimum cash requirements are generally unchanged. As for other tourists, it is recommended to have a minimum of R$100 (about US$18) for each day of stay.
    However, given the special situation, it is better to ensure that you have sufficient financial reserves to cover possible expenses for medical services or other needs. It is also a good idea to carry medical documentation confirming pregnancy in case of questions from border guards.
    And if you declare to the customs service that you plan to stay in Brazil for all 90 days, you should have the amount of 96 days x 100 reals = 9600 reals, or $ 1,700. hence the figure of $ 2 thousand, so that each time not to be tied to the exchange rate.
  • Medical Records:
    • Pregnancy records (e.g., medical records).
    • Documents confirming the need for medical care (if labor is planned).
  • Insurance. Health insurance that covers the cost of childbirth and medical care in Brazil (recommended).
  • Return ticket. Confirmation of the availability of the return flight.
  • Additional Documents. If available, documentation of planned medical care (e.g., doctor or clinic appointments).

It is important to clarify the requirements in advance, as they may vary depending on the country of birth and individual circumstances.

Questions from border guards when entering on a tourist visa

When a pregnant woman enters Brazil on a tourist visa, customs officials may ask the following questions about the purpose of the trip:

  • Purpose of visit. Why did you decide to travel to Brazil? (e.g. tourism, vacation, childbirth, etc.) it is more correct for a pregnant woman to say, "My purpose of entry is medical. I plan to receive medical care and give birth to my child.""
  • Length of stay. How long do you plan to stay in the country?
  • Place of residence. Where will you live during your stay?
  • Financial solvency. How do you plan to cover your expenses while in Brazil? (cash, credit cards, etc.)
  • Medical care. Do you have a plan for your health care during pregnancy? (For example, information about doctors or hospitals).
  • Insurance. Be sure to get health insurance that will cover childbirth and other possible medical expenses.
  • Return ticket. Do you have a return ticket to your home country?

    Entering Brazil without a return ticket can be difficult. Although it is not always a strict requirement to have a return ticket, border guards may ask for it to confirm your intentions to leave the country.

  • Immigration Rules: Familiarize yourself with the current Brazilian immigration rules as they are subject to change.

Period of stay

When asked by border guards "Length of stay?" a pregnant foreign woman should answer in a way that makes it clear to them how long she plans to spend in Brazil.

For example, you might say:

  • Specific dates. "I plan to stay in Brazil for 3 months" or "I expect to stay until [specific date]."
  • Clarification. If you want to extend your stay, you can add: "I expect that I may need to extend my visa" or "I hope to be able to stay longer if necessary."
  • Calm and confident. It is important to answer in a confident and calm manner to help create a positive impression.

Return ticket

A pregnant foreign woman can answer the border guards' question "Return ticket?" as follows:

  • Confirmation of ticket availability. "Yes, I have a return ticket. It's on [date]." " if it is.
    If you have a ticket, it is recommended to have it with you in paper or electronic form to show the border guards. It can be a booking confirmation, a printout or a screenshot. If you don't have one, you can explain, "I don't have one yet, but I plan to buy a return ticket."
    If you don't have a return ticket, be prepared to explain your plans: "I plan to stay until [specific date], and I'll buy a ticket later."
  • Specify details. "My return flight from Brazil to [your country] is scheduled for [date and time]."
  • Plan B. If you do decide not to purchase a return ticket (Plan B), have other evidence of your intentions to leave the country (e.g., travel plans to other countries).

Thus, having a return ticket will greatly simplify the entry process and help avoid undesirable situations.

It is important, as with any other questions, to answer confidently and clearly to confirm your intentions to leave the country within the specified timeframe.

If you are unable to meet your scheduled stay in Brazil, there are several consequences for your return ticket:

  • Changing the date of your flight. If your return ticket was purchased with a fixed date, you will probably have to change it to a later date. This may depend on the terms and conditions of your ticket fare. Some fares allow you to change dates without additional fees, while others may charge a rebooking fee.
  • Overpayment. If you change your ticket, there may be costs associated with the price difference between your original ticket and the new one, especially if you change to a later flight.
  • Security of your plans. If you plan to extend your stay in Brazil, it is important to do so legally. Unauthorized overstaying can result in fines, arrest or a ban on re-entry into the country.
  • Losing your ticket. If you are unable to use the ticket and do not change it, it may be canceled and you will lose money.
  • New tickets. If your original ticket is canceled, you may have to buy a new ticket to return.
  • Immigration consequences. If you stay in the country longer than allowed, it could result in fines, future bans, or other immigration problems.
  • Consultation with the airline. It is best to contact your airline in advance to find out what options are available and how best to proceed if your stay changes.

To avoid problems with immigration and ticket changes, try to plan ahead and keep track of the dates of your stay.

Place of residence

When answering the border guards' question "Place of residence?" a pregnant foreign woman should be clear and specific. Here are some options on how to answer:

  • Lodging Address. If you have pre-booked lodging, you can say, "I will be staying at [name of hotel, apartment, or other place] at [full address]." "I will be staying at [name of hotel] in [city]." Or, "I will be staying at the address of [apartment or place where you will be staying]."
  • Clarification of plans. If you haven't decided on a specific place yet, you can say, "I haven't decided on a place yet, but I plan to stay in a hotel or at a friend's house."
  • Place of delivery. You can also mention where you plan to give birth: "I plan to give birth at [name of hospital or clinic], but will temporarily live in [address of housing]."

A straightforward and confident answer will help border guards understand your plans.

Financial solvency

A pregnant foreign woman can answer the border guards' question "Financial solvency?" as follows:

  • Indicate the source of funds: "I have sufficient funds to cover my expenses for the duration of my stay in Brazil."
  • Documents. If you have a bank statement or proof of funds, it is better to have them with you in case border guards ask for them. Border guards often ask for proof of financial solvency, such as bank statements, cash or credit cards. It is recommended to carry at least one of these forms of proof.
  • Specific amounts. "I have [amount] in cash/on a bank card."

While the exact amount may vary depending on the specific situation and region, upon arrival on a tourist visa, the general recommendation is to have at least $50-100 USD for each day of your stay. For example, if you plan to stay 30 days, it is advisable to have at least $1,500-3,000 dollars.

If you provide documentation, it may speed up the verification process.

However, it is important to remember that every situation is unique and it is left to the border guards to decide on acceptable financial solvency. Make sure you have all the necessary documents with you to be prepared for possible questions.

Medical care

When asked by border guards "Medical assistance?" it is important for a pregnant foreign woman to give a clear and confident answer.

  • Answer You can say. "I came to Brazil to receive medical care" or "I came to give birth and plan to receive services at [name of clinic or hospital]."
  • Documents. If you have any documents that prove that you will receive medical care, such as pre-payment for the delivery, confirmation from the clinic, health insurance or statements from the medical facility, it is recommended to have them with you.
  • Insurance. Make sure your health insurance, if you have it, covers childbirth and medical services in Brazil.
  • Your plans. You can also specify that you have already chosen the institution where you will give birth, as this may convince the border guards of your intentions.

A straightforward and confident answer supported by documentation will help create a positive impression.

Medical records

A pregnant foreign woman planning a trip to Brazil should be prepared to provide certain medical documents.

The documents that she is required to present upon entering Brazil must be in Portuguese or must be accompanied by an official translation into Portuguese. This applies to medical certificates, certificates and any other document that may be required for customs or health checks.

In most cases, Brazilian customs authorities will accept documents translated in another country, provided they have an official Portuguese translation. It is very important that the translation be done by a professional translator, certified by a translation service, to avoid questions about the authenticity of the document.

Some of the basic documents that may be required include:

  • A medical certificate of pregnancy. This can be a doctor's note confirming the pregnancy, the due date and your general health.
  • Vaccinations. Documents proving current immunizations (e.g. yellow fever, if required depending on the country of departure).
  • Health Insurance. A policy that covers possible medical expenses in Brazil.
  • A certificate of planned childbirth. In some cases, information about where and how the birth is planned may be required.
  • Documents confirming that there are no contraindications for traveling. This may be important for women with certain medical problems.

Before traveling, it is advisable to check with the Brazilian consulate or embassy to find out what the specific document requirements are in your situation. This will help to avoid misunderstandings at the border.

Health insurance

A pregnant foreign woman planning to travel to Brazil to give birth must have health insurance that covers the following aspects:

  • Cost of childbirth. The insurance must include coverage for the cost of childbirth, including inpatient care in a maternity hospital.
  • Pregnancy term limits. Make sure your insurance covers childbirth if it occurs during the gestational age when you plan to travel. Some insurance companies may have restrictions on coverage for late-term pregnant women.
  • Emergency medical care. The policy must include the cost of emergency medical care for pregnancy complications.
  • Return to home country. The policy may also cover transportation back to your home country if necessary.

Obtaining health insurance for a pregnant woman planning to give birth in Brazil can be accomplished in the following steps:

  • 1 Research international insurance companies. Find international insurance companies that offer health policies that cover childbirth abroad. For example, companies such as Allianz, Cigna, or Bupa often provide such services.
    Read the terms and conditions of the policy to make sure it covers childbirth and other related medical services in Brazil.
  • Insurance with local companies. Contact local insurance companies and see if they offer policies for traveling abroad, including childbirth. Make sure they have experience with clients planning to give birth abroad.
  • Consultation with an agent. It is recommended that you contact insurance agents who can help you choose the most appropriate policy and answer your questions about coverage.
  • policy issuance. After selecting the appropriate insurance, take out a policy. Make sure you have all the necessary documents (passport, medical certificates, etc.) for registration.
  • Brazilian policy. Generally, foreigners do not need to obtain a Brazilian medical policy if they already have international insurance. However, in cases where additional services or local medical care is required, you may consider purchasing short-term medical insurance in Brazil. This can be done through Brazilian insurance companies upon arrival.
  • Check the terms and conditions. Before traveling to Brazil, read the terms and conditions of the policy and check which medical facilities in Brazil accept your insurance. This will help avoid misunderstandings when you need medical services.

It is important that the health insurance is international and recognized in Brazil. It is advisable to contact the insurance company in advance and make sure that all conditions meet the requirements for travel to Brazil.

Make sure you have all your documents and they are in order to avoid problems when you arrive in the country.

Remember that every situation is unique and the questions that can be asked are left to the border guards. Make sure you have all the necessary documents with you so that you are prepared for possible questions. Answering Customs questions clearly, confidently and completely reduces the number of questions, but trying to please the border guard will cause mistrust, doubt and additional questions.