Brasília, January 24, 2026 – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Friday that Brazil will grant visa exemptions for certain categories of short-term stays to Chinese nationals, marking a significant step in reciprocal travel facilitation between the two largest economies in the Global South. The decision, detailed in a statement from the Planalto presidential palace and reported by state news agency Agencia Brasil, directly responds to China's unilateral visa waiver policy for Brazilian citizens implemented in 2025.
The announcement follows a approximately 45-minute phone conversation late Thursday between Lula and Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the call, Lula personally informed Xi of Brazil's forthcoming policy change, framing it as a gesture of reciprocity and a means to deepen people-to-people exchanges. The leaders also discussed broader bilateral cooperation, including infrastructure projects, ecological transition initiatives, technological collaboration, and the strategic partnership elevated during Xi's visit to Brazil in late 2024, which established the "Brazil-China Community of Shared Future for a More Just World and a More Sustainable Planet."
China's visa-free trial policy, launched on June 1, 2025, initially allowed ordinary passport holders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay to enter mainland China for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, or transit without a visa for up to 30 days. The measure was set to run until May 31, 2026, but was later extended through December 31, 2026, reflecting Beijing's success in boosting inbound tourism and diplomatic outreach to Latin America. The policy has contributed to a surge in Brazilian visitors to China, with reports indicating over 200% growth in travel demand, increased flight bookings, and strengthened direct air links between major cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Beijing or Shanghai.
In reciprocity, Brazil's new exemption will similarly waive visa requirements for qualifying Chinese citizens for short-term stays, expected to align with a 30-day limit for tourism, business, or family purposes. While exact details—such as eligible passport types, precise categories, and implementation timeline—remain to be formalized through a presidential decree or joint ministerial circular from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the move is anticipated to take effect in the coming months. Brazilian officials emphasized that the policy targets "certain categories" of short-term visits, likely focusing on ordinary passports and excluding long-term or work-related stays that may still require visas.
The decision underscores the deepening economic and strategic alignment between Brazil and China. As Brazil's largest trading partner, China accounted for a substantial portion of Brazilian exports—primarily soybeans, iron ore, oil, and beef—in recent years, with bilateral trade volumes exceeding $150 billion annually. The visa waiver is seen as a tool to further stimulate tourism, business delegations, academic exchanges, and cultural interactions. Brazilian tourism authorities project that easier access for Chinese visitors could significantly boost inbound arrivals, which reached around 94,400 from China in the first 11 months of 2025 alone, building on a post-pandemic recovery that saw total international visitors surpass 9 million in the prior year.
The announcement has already generated excitement in the travel sector. Flight search platforms reported immediate surges in inquiries for Brazil-bound trips from China following the news, with tourism operators anticipating a boom in group tours, luxury travel, and eco-adventure packages targeting destinations like the Amazon rainforest, Rio de Janeiro's beaches, Iguazu Falls, and historic sites in Salvador and Ouro Preto. Educational exchanges are also expected to benefit, as simplified travel could facilitate more Chinese students and researchers attending Brazilian universities and vice versa.
Geopolitically, the move aligns with both nations' advocacy for multilateralism, international law, and free trade amid global uncertainties. In their call, Xi stressed the need for China and Brazil to safeguard Global South interests and uphold the United Nations' central role in a "turbulent international situation." Lula echoed this, highlighting the two countries' shared commitment to defending multilateralism and equitable global governance. The visa policy reciprocity fits into this broader narrative, reinforcing South-South cooperation and countering perceptions of Western-centric travel barriers.
Critics in Brazil have occasionally raised concerns about migration flows or security implications, though supporters argue the targeted, reciprocal nature minimizes risks while maximizing economic gains. Unlike Brazil's reinstatement of visas for U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens in April 2025 (after a brief waiver), the China measure emphasizes mutual benefit and strategic partnership.
The visa exemption announcement caps a period of intensified Brazil-China engagement under Lula's administration, which has prioritized relations with Beijing since his return to office in 2023. From joint infrastructure ventures under the Belt and Road Initiative framework to coordinated positions in BRICS and G20 forums, the two nations have expanded collaboration across multiple domains.
As details of the exemption rollout emerge, Brazilian consular services and Chinese travel agencies are preparing to update guidance for prospective visitors. The policy is poised to enhance connectivity between the two emerging giants, fostering greater mutual understanding and economic synergy in an era of shifting global dynamics.
