Requirements for filming in Brazil
General Information
Please note that all U.S. citizens need visas in order to enter Brazil.
Please note that the filming and visiting of Indian areas must be pre-arranged with the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI).
Equipment
It is recommended that non-resident travelers declare at Customs, upon arrival, any equipment (except normal personal luggage items) they may be taking into Brazil for professional use and request temporary admittance of the equipment. (More information on temporary admittance.) Final decision as to equipment admittance rests with the Customs authorities.
Special Requirements for Audiovisual Production in Brazil
Foreign audiovisual production companies that intend to make films and videos in Brazil need prior authorization from the Brazilian Government. The law requires that the foreign production company apply for this authorization through a Brazilian production company. The whole process is simple and quickly approved after the fulfillment of the legal requirements.
The required steps are:
1. Foreign producers must sign a contract with a Brazilian producer;
2. The Brazilian producer must deliver copies of the contract to the Cinema's National Agency ANCINE containing names, passport numbers, citizenship and job descriptions of the foreign crew, as well as place of departure, list of equipment and expected duration of stay in Brazil. Since it is mandatory that Brazilian citizens compose one third of the crew, the Brazilian production company must ensure that this requirement is also fulfilled;
3. Once all the proper documentation is presented to the Cinema's National Agency ANCINE (Ministry of Culture) the necessary authorization for filming in Brazil will be granted within a certain amount of time. ANCINE will then notify the Brazilian Consulate nearest to the city where the crew is based that the appropriate business visas may be issued. Only after that will the Brazilian Consulate issue the visas to the foreign crew.
Please note that the filming and visiting of Indian areas must be pre-arranged with the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI).
