Brazil Medical Treatment Visa (VITEM II) and e-Visa: 2026 Guide

For treatment lasting up to 90 days, most foreign patients enter Brazil as visitors — visa-free or on a visitor visa (including the e-Visa), depending on nationality. Longer treatment has its own visa, the VITEM II, the temporary visa for health treatment, with a permitted stay of up to one year and provision for a companion. Since 1 September 2026, nationals of countries exempt from the visitor visa apply for temporary visas electronically. Anyone already in Brazil who needs to stay longer can apply to the Federal Police for a residence permit for health treatment.

Who needs a visa to enter Brazil

The regime depends on nationality and changes often; the official reference is the General Visa Regime Chart (Quadro Geral de Regime de Vistos) published by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In broad terms, in 2026:

• Citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia need a visitor visa, obtained online as an e-Visa since April 2025, with a consular fee.
• Citizens of the European Union and of many other countries enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days.
• Citizens of other countries may need a visa issued by a consulate. The official table lists the rule for every nationality: check yours before booking.

Confirm your own situation on the official chart before booking flights.

Short treatment: entering as a visitor

A visitor’s permitted stay is generally 90 days, extendable by the Federal Police for a further 90, up to 180 days per year (some nationalities have different limits). Brazil’s Migration Law does not expressly list “health treatment” among the purposes of the visitor visa, but short stays for that purpose are accepted in practice. Carry the clinic’s letter with your treatment dates, proof of funds, a return ticket and insurance. Visitors may not engage in paid work in Brazil.

Long treatment: the VITEM II

The temporary visa for health treatment is provided for in the Migration Law (Law 13,445/2017, article 14, I, “b”, and paragraph 1, II), in Decree 9,199/2017 (article 34) and in Interministerial Ordinance No. 8/2018. Key points:

• Permitted stay: up to one year, according to the length of treatment.
• Companion: the visa can also be granted to a companion and, where justified by the doctor, to more than one.
• Work: paid activity in Brazil is prohibited.
• Means of support: shown through your own funds, health insurance valid in Brazil, or a certificate under an international agreement.

Documents usually required (the list varies from consulate to consulate): a valid passport; a medical report stating diagnosis, proposed treatment and duration; a statement from the clinic or hospital about the treatment, the estimated cost and an undertaking that it will not burden the public health system (SUS); proof of means of support; health insurance (some consulates require repatriation cover); an apostilled criminal record certificate; proof of address; the application form and consular fee. Some consulates require the Brazilian doctor’s signature to be notarised, with the CRM number.

Electronic application since 1 September 2026

From that date, nationals of countries exempt from the visitor visa — which includes citizens of the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and Mexico — apply for temporary visas, including the VITEM II, through the electronic consular system, uploading scanned documents and receiving the visa by email, without handing in the passport. Roll-out may differ between consulates; applicants who need a visitor visa (such as US, Canadian and Australian citizens) are, as a rule, still handled in person.

Already in Brazil and treatment is taking longer

If treatment or recovery runs beyond your permitted stay, the route is to apply to the Federal Police for a residence permit for health treatment, before the deadline expires, with an updated medical report and proof of means. Overstaying attracts a daily fine, capped by decree, and may lead to restrictions on future entry.

Practical documents

• CPF: requested for invoices, contracts and the gov.br portal; it can be obtained abroad through the consular network. See Setting Up a Company in Brazil as a Foreigner: CPF, CNPJ and the Resident Representative.
• Apostille: public documents from your country (certificates, powers of attorney) are valid in Brazil with a Hague apostille, or with consular legalisation if your country is not a member of the Convention.
• Translation: documents in another language need a sworn translation for official use in Brazil.

This article is not a medical or dental assessment. The office does not recommend, technically evaluate or have any relationship with clinics, hospitals or healthcare professionals.

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Sources: Migration Law (Law 13,445/2017), article 14 · Decree 9,199/2017, article 34 · Interministerial Ordinance 8/2018 · Visa regime table, Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Brazil e-Visa portal · CPF for residents abroad, Receita Federal.