Brazil To Reconsider Visa Rules

Photo: Mike Vondran

Brazil is considering letting visitors from the United States, Japan, Canada and Australia enter the country without a visa in order to increase tourism.

The proposal would extend the 12-month trial of Brazil’s visa-waiver program enacted for the Rio Olympics last summer, making the visa waiver permanent if it raises visitor numbers from those countries.

The hope is that making it easier for travelers to come into the country will keep the tourism momentum going andboost Brazil’s economy, as tourism numbers from the United States to Brazil have leveled off during the past year. According to Statista, after growing from less than a million travelers in 2010 to 2.36 million in 2015, tourism to Brazil from the United States will reach about 2.28 million for 2016.

Visas for U.S. citizens to travel to Brazil typically cost up to $160. U.S. citizens also must have a valid passport and a round-trip ticket, and complete an application, in order to apply for a visa.