DISCLAIMER: The information on this Web page was obtained from official sources in
December/2016 and has been made available for the convenience of participants. We will not accept any responsibility regarding
the correctness of this information. It is strongly recommended that participants consult the website
http://www.portalconsular.itamaraty.gov.br/vistos
as well as the nearest consulate
well in advance of their trip to obtain official information on travelling to Brazil.
The whole process of requiring a vista is the sole responsibility of each individual traveler.
A note on Brazil's reciprocity policy
Brazilian federal law mandates that tourism and/or business visas be required from all citizens of countries that require similar visas
from Brazilians. Brazilian visa fees will also approximately match those charged from Brazilians by the respective country. Reciprocity
policy may also extend beyond visa matters; please refer to the nearest Brazilian consulate for more information.
Who needs a visa to visit Brazil?
Entry visas for visiting Brazil are currently required from citizens from Australia, Canada, Haiti, the United States of America,
most countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania, and a few other countries. A complete list of nationalities that need visas is available
from http://www.portalconsular.itamaraty.gov.br/images/qgrv/QGRVsimplesing06OUT2017.pdf
Entry visas for Brazil are not required for short tourism and business trips by citizens of most countries in South America,
Central America, and Europe, as well as nationals from South Africa, Singapore, Israel, Morocco, Mexico, Mongolia and some other countries.
Citizens from Mercosur countries may enter Brazil with a recent official identification document from their home country in lieu of a
passport. Visa-exempt nationalities are subject to other rules regarding allowed activities while in Brazil and maximum periods of stay,
which may vary from country to country. Visit the following website for more information:
http://www.portalconsular.itamaraty.gov.br/images/qgrv/QGRVsimplesing06OUT2017.pdf
How to apply for a Brazilian visa
If you do need a visa, you need to submit a visa application through the website
https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/pacomPasesWebInicial.jsf.
You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months after your arrival date in Brazil.
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan, may now apply for Brazilian visas online, through the eVisa (electronic visa) application website http://vfsglobal.com/brazil-evisa/
Additional requirements for travelling with minors
Minors under 18 years of age that apply for visas will need an official travel authorization from their parents, legal guardians or
other competent authorities. Brazilian hotels will require a similar authorization for hosting any minor who is not travelling
with his parents or legal guardians. You should be ready to physically present this authorization (or official copies thereof)
upon arrival in the country and at your hotel. Bear in mind that the physical authorization (or its copy) may be retained by
the relevant authorities; therefore, you many need to carry several copies.
Letter of invitation
Brazilian authorities may request letters of invitation from ICM 2018 participants. You will be able to obtain such a letter
from your ICM 2018 website restricted area once you complete the registration process. We remind all participants that this
letter is individual and is not meant to replace standard visa and immigration procedures. Visa requests remain the sole
responsibility of each individual traveler.
Information on shopping and entertainment venues, places of interest, tourist sites and activities may be obtained on-site from
the Riocentro travel desk, or from your hotel concierge.
Official language
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. English and Spanish are usually understood, and sometimes spoken, in airports,
travel agencies, hotels and restaurants.
Travel insurance
ICM 2018 travelers are urged to obtain adequate travel and health insurance before leaving their home countries. The ICM 2018
organizing committee has no insurance coverage and will not accept any responsibility for accidental incidents occurring during the event.
Time zone
The time zone for Rio de Janeiro is GMT - 3:00
Airports
GIG - Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport
Hosts domestic and international flights.
http://www.riogaleao.com/en
Phone: +55 21 3004-6050
GIG is located in "Ilha do Governador". It is connected by freeways to the rest of the city. All Brazilian airlines and over
twenty international airlines fly to this airport.
SDU - Santos Dumont Airport
Domestic flights.
http://www.aeroportosantosdumont.net/en/
Phone: +55 21 3814-7070
Located in "Centro" (Downtown), SDU connects Rio to the other main cities in Brazil. Buses and VLT trams connect SDU to Downtown and beyond.
Climate
Rio de Janeiro is a subtropical city at sea level. Summer (December to March) typically has temperatures in the 25oC - 42oC
(77oF - 108 oC) range during daytime. Winter (June to August) has temperatures above 20°C (68°F) during daytime and around 16°C (60°F) at night.
What to wear?
Casual dressing is prevalent in Rio. During the workday, some men prefer to wear suits and ties, while some women opt for more
formal clothing. However, only a handful of locations in Rio require formal attire. For men, casual trousers and shirts suffice
for most occasions; for women, informal clothing is also mostly appropriate. A light jacket is enough for winter nights in Rio de Janeiro.
Water
Rio's water is considered pure by international standards. Due to the pronounced use of chlorine, drinking bottled water may be recommended.
Currency
The official currency of Brazil is the Real, plural reais (BRL or R$). All banknotes feature a female effigy ("Mariana")
representing the Republic of Brazil. In addition, each denomination is decorated by a specific animal drawing: 100 reais (grouper),
50 reais (jaguar), 20 reais (golden lion tamarin), 10 reais (mackaw), 5 reais (egret), 2 reais (sea turtle).
Some commemorative 10 reais banknotes featuring Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral are also legal tender.
Coins are available in denominations ranging from 1 real down to 0.01 real.
Mains Electricity
The standard local voltage is 110 - 120 volts. Some buildings (including several hotels) have additional 220-volt power plugs.
The current standard for power plugs in Brazil looks like this.
Law enforcement
A special police department for tourist-related affairs is available. The "Delegacia Especial de Apoio ao Turismo" or DEAT - with a
specialized team of officers, detectives and administrative staff. English, French, Spanish, German and Italian are spoken..
DEAT - Delegacia Especial de Apoio ao Turismo
Address: Rua Humberto de Campos, 315 - Leblon
Phone: +55 21 2334-6804
Taxis and related services
Regular yellow cabs equipped with air conditioning are available all over the city. Rides are charged by the meter, except for
certain rides starting from local airports. Additional fees may be charged for transporting large items, such as suitcases above
a certain size threshold. Most taxi drivers only accept direct payment in cash. Mobile apps such as
99 Taxis and
EasyTaxi allow one to hail a cab remotely and pay for rides using a preregistered credit card.
Special taxi service, operated by licensed companies, can be requested by phone or at kiosks in certain locations such as airports,
hotels and shopping malls. In the latter case, they will usually charge flat fares that can be prepaid with a credit or debit card.
Uber service is also available in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and operates in the same way as in other locations.
Credit and debit cards
Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards are accepted in most restaurants, hotels, banks and shopping malls. American Express
and Diners Club are somewhat less popular, but are also accepted in many locations. One can also use such cards to withdraw money from local ATMs.
Tipping
Hotels: service fees are usually included in bills.
Restaurants: tipping is optional, but most restaurants will add a suggested 10% tip at the end of the bill.
Taxis: tipping is not required, but most riders will round up the trip fare as a response to good service.
Porters at hotel and airports: BRL 3,00 per luggage item.
Wireless internet and mobile phone service
WiFi Internet service is widely available (oftentimes for free) in hotels, shopping malls, cafés and other locations.
Local mobile phone companies sell prepaid SIM cards for phone calls and 3G and 4G Internet access.
Regular business hours
Banks: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Offices: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm or 8am to 5pm.
Street stores: same as above, with the addition of 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Shopping malls: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm; Sunday, 3pm to 9pm.
Restaurants and movie theaters will usually be open for longer hours.
24/7 convenience stores are available in several locations.
Telephone calls
Phone numbers in Rio de Janeiro: fixed line numbers have eight digits; mobile phone numbers have nine.
International calls to Rio de Janeiro: The international direct calling code for Brazil is 55, and the local code for Rio is 21.
Therefore, when calling a local number from an international phone, one should add the +55 21 prefix to the number.
Calls from Brazil to other locations: Nonlocal calls in Brazil require selecting a phone company to route your call.
Choose a "prefixo de operadora" (company prefix) from
http://www.prefixos.com.br/prefixoddd/operadoras/ and dial as follows:
0 + company prefix + location code + phone number
(E.g.: company prefix for "Vivo" is 15, location code for São Paulo is 11. To call 2222 3333 in São Paulo from Rio, dial 0 15 11 2222 3333);
00 + company prefix + country code + local code and number
(E.g. the country code for the USA is 1. To call the number 333 4444 in area code 212 using company Claro, dial 00 21 1 212 333 4444.)
Consulates in Rio de Janeiro
The following link provides a list:
http://www.rcvb.com.br/consulados
