Filming in Brazil just got easier with Brazil visa changes

Citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia will no longer require a visitor visa (either electronic or paper) to visit Brazil for stays of up to 90 days, for tourist and business trips, which includes media coverage and/or film-making. The announcement by the Brazilian government takes immediate effect, and will allow film crews from those countries to make the most of the amazing locations that Brazil has to offer.

From June 2019 onwards, only a passport with at least six months validity will be required to enter Brazil. Story Productions is delighted with this news as it will certainly encourage foreign crews to come and film in Brazil.

It is important to stress, however, that these visa changes do not remove the need for foreign productions to get an ANCINE permit , which is a prior authorization to shoot in Brazil, issued by the Brazilian Film Agency (ANCINE).

Story Productions partner and executive producer Isabel de Almeida Prado, who is also a lawyer, can advise all Story clients in more detail about this permit and will continue to acquire the permit for clients, when necessary.

“ANCINE requires foreign productions shooting in Brazil to have a Brazilian production company involved, and for them to be responsible for the foreign crew,” Isabel explains. “In the past, this ANCINE authorization letter would also serve as the basis for the visa process for our American and Australian clients, but with this new visa waiver that is no longer necessary and so it’s going to be much easier for them to film in Brazil.

"The ANCINE permit is a legal requirement –  except for news productions, which are exempt  – and I advise our clients to get it, especially when the Brazilian shoot is for television or a feature film. In these cases, there is often financing and insurance involved and the lenders, insurance companies and networks’ compliance policies will require that the shoot is entirely observant with local law. Also, when the shoot involves requesting permission to film in public places or to close off a street or bridge, it is advisable to request the ANCINE authorization. It’s always good to have all the paperwork in order and comply with the law, and we’re happy to assist our clients in being compliant.”

For a full list of which countries do and don’t require visas to enter Brazil, visit the Brazilian Ministry for Foreign Affairs website (in Portuguese and some English) or the Embassy of Brazil in Singapore (in English, and currently showing up-to-date visa information).

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