Do Brazilians need a visa to travel to China?
For decades China required a visa from practically every foreign traveller. That changed for Brazil on 1 June 2025, when China began waiving the visa requirement for Brazilian citizens holding an ordinary passport, under a unilateral policy that also covered Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. On 11 May 2026, Brazil and China signed a reciprocal waiver agreement, and the regime is in force at least until 31 December 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Under the waiver, Brazilians can enter China without a visa for up to 30 consecutive days, for tourism, supplier visits, attending trade fairs, business meetings, transit and personal visits.
Good news for importers: visiting the Canton Fair, the Yiwu Trade Fair or suppliers in Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Hangzhou all fit comfortably inside the 30 day waiver, with no consular paperwork.
The waiver applies only to the ordinary passport (the blue one). Diplomatic and service passports follow their own rules.
What you still need without a visa
Not needing a visa does not mean arriving in China with no paperwork. Chinese immigration checks the following at entry:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of departure from China
- At least one blank page for the entry stamp
- A confirmed return ticket (or proof that you will leave the country within the 30 days)
- An accommodation address in the country: a confirmed hotel or an invitation letter from a Chinese company
- Sufficient funds for the stay (a bank statement may be requested)
Careful: 30 days per entry, not per year. Contrary to what many people assume, the 30 day limit applies to each entry, but repeatedly entering and leaving with 30 day stays can raise suspicion at immigration. If you plan several trips a year, it is safer to obtain a multiple entry visa.
When a visa is still required
The waiver does not cover every situation. You will still need a visa in the following cases:
- Stays longer than 30 days per entry
- Paid work in China (even temporarily)
- Courses, internships or formal study
- Equipment installation, technical assistance or other specialised services of long duration
- Long term residence or family reunification
- Journalists reporting on a press credential
If your case falls under any of these points, a visa is mandatory, and choosing the right type is essential to avoid trouble at immigration.
Types of Chinese visa
China classifies visas by purpose. For Brazilian business owners and importers, the most relevant ones are:
Tourism
For leisure travel, family visits or general tourism. It does not authorise formal commercial activity. It can be issued with 1 or 2 entries and validity of 30 to 90 days.
Short Term Commercial Activities
The best fit for anyone visiting suppliers, attending trade fairs, negotiating contracts or inspecting factories for periods longer than 30 days. It allows multiple entries and validity of up to 1 year.
Exchange, Technical Visit or Training
For non commercial visits: cultural exchange, technical training at factories, institutional visits. Widely used by engineers and technicians on short missions.
Work
For anyone taking up paid employment in China. It requires a job offer from a Chinese company and a work permit issued by the Chinese authorities. A longer and more bureaucratic process.
Study
For language courses, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees or other formal educational programmes lasting more than 180 days (X1) or less (X2).
For most Brazilian importers who visit the Canton Fair, the Yiwu Trade Fair or suppliers for more than 30 days, the multiple entry M visa is the most practical choice: it covers commercial activity, lets you leave and come back, and is valid for up to 1 year.
Step by step: how to get a Chinese visa
01 Work out which visa you need
Before anything else, define the real purpose of your trip. Declaring "tourism" when the intention is to sign contracts can lead to refusal at immigration. For supplier visits and trade fairs lasting more than 30 days, go for the M visa.
02 Gather the documents
The paperwork varies slightly by visa type, but for the M visa (business) the standard package is:
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months, with one blank page
- Completed visa application form (available on the Consulate website)
- Recent photograph (3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background, colour)
- Copy of the passport (photo page and most recent entries)
- Invitation letter from a Chinese company or a letter from the Brazilian company explaining the purpose of the trip
- Business registration or CNPJ of the Brazilian company
- Return flight booking (confirmed reservation)
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)
- Bank statements for the last 3 months
03 Book at the CVASC or Consulate
Applications are accepted by prior appointment only, booked online on the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) or of the Consulate covering your city. Arrive early: being late can cost you the slot.
04 Attend the appointment
Hand in the documents at the counter. The officer will check the paperwork, take your fingerprints and photograph you. It is not a formal interview, but be ready to answer basic questions about the purpose of the trip.
Practical tip: bring the documents organised in exactly the order the form asks for. CVASCs and Consulates handle high volumes: a well organised folder speeds up the process and signals that you are serious.
05 Wait for processing
The timeline depends on the service you choose (see the table in the next section). While the application is being processed you cannot travel with your passport, so plan the application well ahead of your departure date.
06 Collect the visa
Once notified, collect the passport in person or through an authorised third party. Check the details printed on the visa straight away: name, type, validity, number of entries and permitted length of stay. Any error must be corrected before you travel.
Where to apply for the visa in Brazil
Brazil has Chinese consular service points in three cities:
| Location | Type | States covered |
|---|---|---|
| São Paulo (CVASC) | Visa Application Service Centre | SP, MG, ES, PR, SC, RS, GO, DF and all other states |
| Brasília (Embassy) | Embassy of China | DF and the Centre West states |
| Rio de Janeiro (Consulate General) | Consulate General | RJ, ES (in some cases) |
For most Brazilian business owners the São Paulo CVASC is the most convenient option: it has the largest capacity and offers express and urgent service.
Timelines and costs
| Service | Timeline | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 4 working days | R$ 250 – R$ 350 |
| Express | 2–3 working days | R$ 400 – R$ 500 |
| Urgent | 1 working day | R$ 500 – R$ 650 |
The figures above are estimates based on the consular fee tables in force in 2026 and may be revised without notice. Always check the official Consulate or CVASC website for current fees. Payment is made at the counter, usually in cash or by card.
Plan at least 15 days ahead. Before fairs such as the Canton Fair, demand for visas rises sharply: appointment slots become scarce and processing times can stretch.
Essential tips for business travel to China
The visa (or the waiver) is only the beginning. Anyone travelling to China to do business needs to be ready for an environment very different from the Western one:
- Bilingual business cards (Portuguese/Mandarin): exchanging cards is an important ritual in Chinese business relationships. Have them ready before you board.
- WeChat installed and active: it is the main channel for professional and personal communication in China. Create the account before you travel and add your Chinese contacts.
- A VPN on your phone: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most Western services are blocked in China. A VPN set up before you enter the country is essential.
- Alipay or WeChat Pay: China is almost cashless and payments are made by QR code. Foreigners can link an international card to Alipay for basic use.
- Local SIM or international roaming: a local Chinese SIM is cheaper and works better for data. Check the roaming cost with your operator before you leave.
- Your hotel address in Mandarin: keep a photo of the accommodation address written in Mandarin, essential for showing to a taxi or DiDi driver.
Do not leave the VPN to install once you are in China. App stores are subject to censorship too: many VPNs cannot be downloaded inside the country. Set everything up before you board.
Frequently asked questions about the Chinese visa
Do Brazilians need a visa to travel to China?
No. Since 1 June 2025, Brazilians holding an ordinary passport can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, for tourism, business, transit and personal visits. For longer stays, paid work or study, a visa is still mandatory.
Can I visit the Canton Fair without a visa?
Yes. Most Canton Fair editions run between 5 and 15 days per phase, well within the 30 day limit of the visa waiver for Brazilians. If you plan to attend more than one consecutive phase or to stay in China for more than 30 days, you will need an M visa (business) or another type suited to the purpose of the trip.
Which visa is the right one for visiting suppliers in China?
For one off supplier visits lasting up to 30 days, the visa waiver is enough. For longer stays, formal commercial negotiations or repeated visits in the same year adding up to more than 30 days, the M visa (short term commercial activities) is the most appropriate.
How much does a China visa cost?
The cost varies with the type of visa and the processing time. A single entry visa (category L or M) on the regular timeline (4 working days) costs roughly R$ 250 to R$ 350. Express service (2 working days) or urgent service (1 working day) can cost between R$ 400 and R$ 600. The fees are set by the Chinese Consulate and may change.
Where can I apply for a Chinese visa in Brazil?
You can apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres (CVASC) in São Paulo and Brasília, or directly at the Consulate General of China in São Paulo, the Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro and the Embassy in Brasília. Booking an appointment online in advance is mandatory.
How long does my passport need to be valid to enter China?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date and have at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Passports with less than 6 months of validity can be refused at immigration, even under the visa waiver regime.