Brazil Extends eVisa Platform to Six African Countries — Nigeria and Most of West Africa Excluded
Updated: 3 minutes ago
BRASÍLIA, September 21, 2026 — Brazil has quietly expanded its electronic visitor-visa platform to six African countries, allowing nationals of South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia and Seychelles to apply for visas entirely online rather than visiting a consulate in person.
The update, reported by Nigerian outlet Peoples Gazette, took effect retroactively from September 1, 2026, and forms part of Brasília's broader push to digitise its consular services .
What the Expansion Covers
Citizens of the six newly eligible countries can now apply through Brazil's Integrated Consular System (SCI) , upload required documents digitally, and receive an approved eVisa by email — eliminating the need to surrender their passport or attend a consular appointment.
Aspect | Details |
Effective Date | September 1, 2026 (retroactive) |
Eligible Countries | South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Seychelles |
Application Platform | Integrated Consular System (SCI) |
Processing Time | Up to 10 working days |
Stay Duration | 90 days per visit, 180 days per year |
Seychelles Exception | 180 days per visit |
Visa Fee | USD 80.90 |
Permitted Purposes | Tourism, business meetings, artistic/sporting activities, short-term study, volunteer work |
Prohibited | Employment |
The eVisa does not authorise employment. Travellers planning to provide hands-on technical assistance or receive remuneration in Brazil must still obtain a temporary work visa .
Nigeria and Most of West Africa Remain Excluded
The expansion leaves Nigeria — Brazil's largest West African trade partner and home to its largest expatriate community on the continent — outside the digital visa system .
Nigerian passport holders must still submit paper applications in person at a Brazilian embassy or consulate, with processing times averaging four weeks. Travel industry bodies in Lagos have signalled they will lobby for inclusion .
The exclusion extends to most other African nations. Only six of the continent's 54 countries appear on Brazil's visa-free or eVisa-eligible lists, leaving the vast majority of African travellers subject to traditional consular procedures .
Broader Context: Brazil's Visa Digitalisation Drive
The African expansion follows a series of digital visa rollouts by Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Date | Development |
April 2025 | eVisa mandatory for US, Canadian and Australian nationals |
Early 2026 | eVisa extended to certain Asian countries |
September 1, 2026 | eVisa extended to six African countries |
September 16, 2026 | Temporary visas (VITEM) fully digitalised via SCI portal |
The September 1 changes also included a broader reform: temporary visas (VITEM I–XIV) for nationals of visa-exempt countries are now issued electronically, with applicants receiving a PDF containing an encrypted QR code instead of a physical sticker in their passport . This covers categories including work visas, digital nomad visas (VITEM XIV), student permits and family reunification authorisations.
Processing times for these temporary visas have reportedly been reduced from 10 working days to as little as 48 hours where biometric and security checks are completed .
What This Means for Employers and Travellers
For Newly Eligible Countries
Stakeholder | Implication |
Travellers | Faster, cheaper process; no passport surrender or courier costs |
Businesses | Easier access to Brazil's consumer and commodities markets |
Employers | Must still obtain work visas for any remunerated activity |
For Excluded Countries (Including Nigeria)
Stakeholder | Implication |
Travellers | Must attend consulate in person; ~4-week processing |
Businesses | Higher costs and longer lead times for Brazil travel |
Lobbying | Nigerian travel bodies pushing for inclusion |
Global mobility teams should update eligibility matrices and alert travellers from the six newly admitted countries that eVisas must be printed and presented on arrival .
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Newly Eligible Countries | South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Seychelles |
Excluded | Nigeria, most of West Africa, majority of African continent |
Application Method | SCI online portal |
Fee | USD 80.90 |
Stay | 90 days/visit; 180 days/year |
Processing | Up to 10 working days |
Employment | Prohibited under eVisa |
Nigeria Processing | In-person, ~4 weeks |
Read Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Brazil Ministry of Foreign Affairs | |
Integrated Consular System (SCI) | |
VFS Global – Brazil eVisa (US/Canada/Australia) |
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