Brazil · Travel and Visas · 20 October 2026
Key Facts
—What. Brazilians who book a US visa interview can now cancel or reschedule it only three times in total, and cancellations and reschedulings count together.
—When. The warning has appeared in the booking system since 29 September 2026, according to Brazilian travel outlets.
—After three. The system blocks any further change, and neither the applicant nor the support team can alter the date.
—Scope. Brazilian outlets say the limit covers all visa categories, including the B1/B2 tourist and business visa.
—Cost. The standard fee for a tourist or business visa is US$185 and is not refundable.
—Still unknown. Whether changes made before 29 September count, and whether a fourth change always means a new fee.
—Power Index Brazil ranks 1st of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 75.0 points (October 2026 edition).
Prediction markets · who wins the runoff
Implied chance of winning Brazil’s presidency on 25 October, from traders’ prices.
Polymarket
Flávio Bolsonaro 76.6% · Lula 22.5% (US$189 million traded)
Kalshi (regulated in the US by the CFTC)
Flávio Bolsonaro 79% · Lula 21%
As of 19 October, 11:20 pm ET (04:20 Lisbon), updated every 20 minutes. Prices are bets, not polls, and can move fast.
Why we show this: prediction markets turn real-money bets into a live probability that moves within minutes of the news, which is why investors, campaigns and newsrooms in the United States now follow them closely. We show them next to polls and official results, never instead of them.
Brazilians who book an interview for a US visa can now cancel or reschedule it only three times, and then the date is locked. The booking system has carried the warning since 29 September 2026, according to Brazilian travel outlets.
The rule matters to US hotels, theme parks, universities and employers that count on Brazilian visitors and staff. It also hits applicants who book the first free date and keep checking for an earlier one.
How the Limit Works
Cancellations and reschedulings share one count, so an applicant does not get three of each, Brasilturis reported on 8 October. After the third change, the system blocks any further move, and the support team cannot change the date either.
Brazilian outlets say the limit applies to every visa category, including the B1/B2 visa used by tourists and business travellers. Brasilturis attributes that scope to the US Consulate General in São Paulo, and we could not check it against a US government notice.
What a Fourth Change Could Cost
Brazilian media, including Diário do Litoral, report that someone who needs a fourth change may have to file a new application and pay the fee again. The standard visa application fee for tourist and business visas is US$185 and is not refundable, according to Boston University’s international office.
The same office says most nonimmigrant visas also carry a US$250 visa integrity fee, paid when the visa is issued. We could not confirm how that fee is being collected in Brazil.
A Closure Adds to the Confusion
On Friday, 2 October, the US Embassy and all US consulates in Brazil suspended in-person services after a threat against the embassy in Brasília, SBT News reported. All interviews set for that day were cancelled, and the consular service said it would work with applicants to reschedule.
The reports do not say whether such cancellations count toward the three-change limit. Applicants affected should keep their confirmation emails.
What It Means for You
Travellers from Brazil should pick an interview date they can keep, because a change now uses up one of only three. Companies, schools and families in the United States that invite Brazilian guests should plan for fewer last-minute date swaps.
The limit does not change the rules for getting a visa, and it does not cancel an interview already booked. Brazilian outlets describe it as a scheduling rule, and the US government has not explained the reason.
What Is Not Known
We did not find an official US Embassy announcement of the rule, so the details rest on Brazilian media reports. It is not known whether changes made before 29 September count, or how families booked together are counted.
It is also unclear whether a fourth change always means a new application and a new fee. Our Brazil section tracks Brazil travel and visa news.
Sources
Brasilturis, 8 October 2026 · Diário do Litoral · Estadão · SBT News, 2 October 2026 · Boston University ISSO, visa integrity fee
This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I change a US visa interview in Brazil?
You can cancel or reschedule three times in total, and both actions count together. After the third change the system blocks further changes.
Why did some applicants lose their interview on 2 October?
The US Embassy and all consulates in Brazil suspended in-person services after a threat against the Brasília embassy. All interviews set for that day were cancelled, according to SBT News.
What happens if I need a fourth change?
Brazilian media say you may have to file a new application and pay the fee again. This has not been confirmed in a US government notice that we could find.
How much is the US tourist visa fee?
The standard fee for a tourist or business visa is US$185 and is not refundable. Most nonimmigrant visas also carry a US$250 visa integrity fee at issuance, according to Boston University’s international office.
Does the limit apply to every visa type?
Brazilian outlets say it covers all categories, including the B1/B2 tourist and business visa. We could not verify that against a US government notice.
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