Brazil eases COP30 entry with e-visa amid concerns over hotel prices

Brazil has announced the launch of a special electronic visa (e-visa) to facilitate international access for participants attending the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to be held in Belém from 6th to 21st November 2025.

With less than five months to go until COP30 African and Pacific Island nations have expressed concern to the Brazilian government that the sky-high cost of accommodation could hinder their participation in the United Nations climate talks.

Richard Muyungi, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), stated that the issue of accommodation in Belém is raising “big concerns” among several delegations, including countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

“I have written a letter to the COP Presidency expressing our concerns. We have had discussions with the COP Presidency, with the assurance that they will explore ways to address our concerns,” said the Tanzanian negotiator.

Ilana Seid, Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), echoed these concerns, noting in a statement that their delegates—already facing significant travel challenges—“have not received firm solutions to address the issue of astronomical costs of the already limited accommodation options.”

Panamanian negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey said in a social media post in late June that he was worried that COP30 could become “the most inaccessible COP in recent memory”.

To investigate potentially abusive pricing practices ahead of the COP30 UN climate summit, the Brazilian government has formally requested information from hotels in Belém. 

According to the Ministry of Justice’s press office, the notifications ask for historical pricing data, including rates typically charged throughout the year, during major events like the Círio de Nazaré religious festival, and current rates for the COP30 period. Hotels are also required to explain the reasons for any significant rate increases.

Valter Correia, Brazil’s special secretary for COP30, who is overseeing the event’s logistics, said that the hotels had also been asked to submit contracts, invoices, and other documentation related to COP30 bookings. 

He noted that the federal government recently signed a cooperation agreement with local real estate brokers and agencies to encourage more reasonable pricing for short-term rentals during the summit.

“Unlike previous COPs that heavily relied on hotels, Belém’s will be centered on private lodging—houses and apartments,” he said.

The government estimates that nearly 50% of accommodations will come from private properties. “That’s a key advantage for Belém compared to past COPs,” added Correia.

The federal government is expected to launch the official COP30 lodging platform in the coming weeks, featuring a curated selection of properties with photos, prices, and availability.

E-VISA 

The e-visa will be issued free of charge and will permit multiple entries into Brazil through the end of 2025. It allows a maximum stay of 90 days, with no possibility of extension.

The visa is available to nationals of countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as to stateless individuals, provided they are officially accredited to attend the conference.

Applications for the e-visa must be submitted through the electronic platform provided by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This initiative is part of Brazil’s broader efforts to streamline logistics and facilitate the participation of more than 40,000 expected attendees, including 7,000 representatives from UN teams and national delegations.

To accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors, Brazilian authorities have coordinated an expansion of air travel capacity. Domestic flights are projected to increase by 23% compared to November 2024, offering nearly 250,000 seats. International air connections are expected to see an even greater increase of 44% during the COP30 period.

This expanded network includes new routes and increased frequency on existing connections, particularly among cities in Brazil’s Northern region, thereby strengthening regional integration during the event.

Consequently, 221 new domestic flights to Belém will be added during the month of COP30, bringing the total to 1,395 flights.

For international destinations, with a 44% rise in available seats—from 3,888 to 5,610. In terms of flights, this represents an increase from 22 to 31 trips. 

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