Photo: CFP

By Brasil 247 – Brazil’s government is preparing to waive visa requirements for Chinese citizens traveling to the country for tourism or business, a move framed as reciprocal to a policy already adopted by Beijing, according to journalist Assis Moreira of Valor Econômico. China has suspended visa requirements for Brazilian nationals through the end of 2026, while Brazil currently still requires visas for Chinese visitors, with a maximum validity of 10 years.

The planned change comes as Brazil reaches a historic milestone in international tourism. The country has already recorded the arrival of 9 million foreign visitors in 2025 – the highest figure since the official series began – surpassing projections from the National Tourism Plan and marking a new peak for the sector, according to data released by Embratur and reported by Agência Brasil.

In government assessments, sustaining this growth will require new sources of demand beyond Brazil’s traditional markets. One of the main bets for 2026 and beyond is expanding partnerships with China, which officials and tourism authorities view as a strategic market capable of increasing long-haul visitor flows and strengthening business travel linked to investment, trade missions, and cultural exchange.

Brazil’s push to ease entry rules for Chinese visitors also connects with broader bilateral initiatives already underway. The Ministry of Tourism has highlighted plans for 2026 to be marked as the “Year of Culture and Tourism” between Brazil and China, an agenda that includes joint promotional actions and cooperation aimed at boosting visitor numbers in both directions.

At present, Chinese citizens must still obtain a visa to enter Brazil, even though visas can be issued with long validity. A waiver would significantly reduce bureaucracy for tourists and business travelers, potentially strengthening Brazil’s competitiveness as it seeks to consolidate the record-breaking momentum of 2025 and transform tourism into a larger source of jobs, income, and regional development.

According to the information cited by Assis Moreira, the official announcement of the Brazilian measure is expected in early 2026. If confirmed, the visa waiver would align Brazil’s entry policy more closely with China’s and reinforce Brasília’s broader strategy of deepening economic, diplomatic, and cultural engagement with one of its most important global partners.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on December 24, 2025)