The Brazilian government has made a last-minute decision to postpone its visa requirement for citizens of the United States, Australia, and Canada.
The requirement, which was set to go into effect on Wednesday, would have required travelers to not only obtain a visa but also show proof of having $2,000 in the bank. However, this has now been delayed until April 2025, giving travelers from these countries more time to prepare for the new regulations.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration had previously postponed the visa requirement to January 10 but has now pushed it even further, to 2025. Starting from April 10, 2025, citizens from the United States, Australia, and Canada will have to present a visa upon entry to Brazil. This visa will cost $80.90 and can only be obtained online. It will be valid for ten years and will allow travelers to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days per year.
In addition to the visa, visitors will also be required to submit a letter of intent explaining their reasons for traveling to Brazil, the duration of their trip, and their lodging information. They will also need to show proof of travel tickets, residence, and income, including their last three bank account statements or six most recent pay stubs. This has raised concerns among the tourism industry, who believe that these requirements may discourage people from visiting Brazil.
One of the more controversial requirements is the mandate that visitors have at least $2,000 in their bank account. Anyone who does not meet this requirement will need a sponsor to complete a notarized affidavit of support and provide their last three bank statements. This has raised questions about the intentions behind the visa requirement and whether it is an attempt to restrict travel to Brazil.
However, the Brazilian government has defended its decision, citing similar requirements imposed on Brazilian citizens by the United States, Canada, and Australia. The visa requirement was initially removed in 2019 by former President Jair Bolsonaro, but President Lula’s administration reintroduced it as a form of retaliation. This decision faced opposition from congressional members, who threatened to hold a vote on the matter. Eventually, an agreement was reached to postpone the requirement.
According to the Brazilian Tourist Board, there were 4.78 million international travelers to Brazil in the first 10 months of 2023. Among those, 483,000 were citizens of the United States. This highlights the significant impact of tourism on Brazil’s economy and the potential consequences of imposing strict visa requirements. The delay in implementing the visa requirement may be a positive step towards balancing the needs of the tourism industry and the government’s interests.
The postponement of the visa requirement till 2025 also gives travelers from the United States, Australia, and Canada more time to prepare and potentially save the required amount of money for their trip. It is yet to be seen if the visa requirement will go into effect as announced in 2025, as it may face further opposition and negotiations.
For now, anyone planning to travel to Brazil from these countries can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that they will not have to obtain a visa for the next few years.
