For a few years now, Brazil has been experimenting with its visa program when it comes to travelers from the US. In 2016, the country temporarily waived visa requirements to attract US citizens for the Summer Olympics, and in 2018, it launched an e-visa program to make visa acquisition easier for US travelers. Now, the country is eliminating the visa requirement altogether, making it easier than ever for Americans to travel to Brazil.
Starting on June 17, American, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese travelers will be able to stay for up to 90 days in Brazil without a visa. The new regulations are an attempt by the country’s new president, Jair Bolsonaro, to boost Brazil’s tourism industry and improve relations with the US. Currently, Brazil sees around 6.6 million annual visitors but hopes to more than double that to 12 million by 2022.
In a press release, Visit Brazil said, “Now, with a strong Dollar and dozens of daily flights, experiencing Brazil is just a matter of desire and grabbing a plane. From the Amazon in the North, to the wines in the South; from the exotic Pantanal in the Midwest to the lush beaches of the Northeast; amazing cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador and hundreds of hidden gems are just a few hours away.” The country’s Tourism Minister Marcelo Alvaro Antonio added, “This is one of the most important achievements of the Brazilian tourism industry in the last 15 years and we are confident that it will be extremely beneficial to the country.”
H/T: Condé Nast Traveler