Mexico 48-Hour eVisa Replaces Stickers for Brazilians

February 5, 2026|Joshua

Starting February 5, 2026, Brazilian nationals traveling to Mexico by air for tourism, business, or transit must obtain a 48-hour electronic visa (eVisa), replacing the previous consular visa stickers to streamline and reduce the cost of travel.

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Mexico has confirmed that, from 5 February 2026, Brazilian nationals traveling by air for tourism, business or transit will move to a fully electronic visa (eVisa) system. The change ends the short-lived requirement to obtain a physical visitor visa sticker at Mexican consulates in Brazil and is designed to make trips faster and cheaper for Brazilians.

The reform is grounded in new visa-electronics guidelines published in Mexico’s Official Journal of the Federation and in a follow-up agreement specifically authorizing an electronic visa for Brazilian citizens under the visitor category visitante sin permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas (visitor without permission to work). The eVisa is processed online and typically issued within about 48 hours, according to industry and government briefings.

What is changing for Brazilian travelers

Until August 2022, many Brazilians could either enter Mexico visa-free or obtain an electronic authorization through the old SAE platform. In response to irregular-migration concerns, Mexico suspended the eVisa for Brazilians and required a consular visitor visa sticker, which had to be requested in person in Brasília, São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

From 5 February 2026, that consular sticker is being phased out for short-stay air arrivals. Instead, most Brazilian tourists and business visitors must secure an eVisa before boarding their flight. Physical visas already issued will remain valid until their printed expiry date, but new applications for the sticker visa will stop.

The new measure applies to Brazilians entering:

By air only, not by land or sea
For up to 180 days
As visitors without permission to engage in paid work in Mexico (tourism, meetings, short business trips or transit)

Who must apply – and who is exempt

In practical terms, the new 48-hour eVisa affects Brazilian nationals who:

Hold an ordinary Brazilian passport
Plan to arrive in Mexico by air
Do not already hold a valid Mexican visitor visa, residence card or eVisa
Do not qualify for Mexico’s existing exemptions

Key exemptions remain in place. Brazilian nationals are still visa-exempt for Mexico if they hold, and travel with, a valid:

Visa or permanent residence for the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or a Schengen Area country
Mexican residence card

These travelers can continue to enter Mexico without a Mexican visa or eVisa, provided they show the qualifying document at check-in and on arrival.

Main features of the Mexico eVisa for Brazilians

While detailed implementation guidance is still being rolled out, official documents and government-linked briefings indicate the following core features:

Category: Visitor without permission to perform remunerated activities (tourism, business or transit).
Mode of entry: Air only. Travelers entering by land or sea are still expected to need a consular visa until further notice.
Length of stay: Up to 180 days per visit, granted at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.
Processing time: Applications are examined online, with most approvals reportedly issued within about 48 hours of successful submission.
Format: Digital authorization with a QR code linked to the traveler’s passport data, sent by email.
Fee: Around US$54 in government fees, matching the standard visitor visa tariff at Mexican consulates.

Draft regulatory texts describe the Brazilian eVisa as valid for a single trip of up to 180 days, although some industry sources have suggested that a multi-entry, multi-year format could be adopted. Until the Mexican authorities publish definitive terms on the official portal, travelers should plan on a single-use authorization tied to their intended trip dates.

How the 48-hour eVisa application will work

Mexico’s new visa electronic rules create a central online portal operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE). For Brazilian applicants, the process is expected to follow these broad steps:

Create an online account on the SRE public eVisa portal.
Complete the application form with personal data, passport details and basic travel plans (flight and intended dates).
Upload digital documents, including:

A recent passport-style photo
A clear image of the passport biodata page

Pay the visa fee online using an accepted card.
Wait for electronic processing. In straightforward cases, decisions are expected in approximately 24-48 hours.
Receive the eVisa by email, including a QR code or confirmation number.
Present the eVisa at departure and on arrival. Airlines will scan or visually verify the QR code at check-in before allowing boarding, and Mexican immigration will verify it again at the border.

Travelers should print their authorization or keep an offline copy on their mobile device, as airport connectivity cannot always be guaranteed.

Other entry requirements still apply

The eVisa confirms that basic visa requirements have been pre-checked, but it does not guarantee entry. On arrival in Mexico, immigration officers can still refuse admission or limit the permitted stay if they are not satisfied with the traveler’s documentation or explanation of their trip.

Brazilian visitors using the eVisa should be ready to show:

A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry, with free pages
A return or onward ticket
Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, rental agreement or invitation letter)
Evidence of sufficient financial means for the stay (bank statements, cards, proof of employment or business ties in Brazil)

As with the previous sticker visa, officers may also ask about prior travel history or request additional documents if something in the application triggers closer scrutiny.

Impact on tourism and corporate travel

The reintroduction of a fast, online visa is widely seen as a response to pressure from Mexico’s tourism industry, especially in the Caribbean region. Hoteliers in Cancún and the Riviera Maya reported steep declines in Brazilian arrivals and hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue after the 2022 switch to consular visas.

By removing the need for in-person interviews and courier services, the 48-hour eVisa is expected to:

Encourage leisure trips and last-minute bookings from Brazil
Shorten lead times for corporate travel to cities such as Monterrey, Querétaro and Mexico City
Cut travel budgets previously spent on consulate trips and document handling
Support increased air connectivity between Brazil and Mexican hubs

For airlines, the QR-code-based system should simplify document checks at the gate once staff are fully trained and check-in systems are updated.

What Brazilian travelers should do now

If you are a Brazilian passport holder planning to fly to Mexico in 2026:

Check whether you are exempt. If you hold a valid visa or permanent residence for the US, Canada, the UK, Japan or Schengen, you may not need a Mexican eVisa.
Confirm the latest rules before you book. Consult Mexico’s official government or consular sites to verify that the eVisa system is live and to review any updated conditions.
Apply several days in advance. Although decisions are usually issued within 48 hours, applying earlier provides a buffer for document issues or high seasonal demand.
Travel with supporting documents. Bring printouts or digital copies of your eVisa, flight bookings, accommodation and proof of funds in case border officials request them.

Mexico’s shift to a digital, 48-hour eVisa marks a significant easing of travel formalities for Brazilians compared with the 2022-2025 consular regime. However, successful trips will still depend on careful preparation and close attention to the evolving official guidance.