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Brazil Mulls Expansion of Visa Waiver Scheme

Brazil Mulls Expansion of Visa Waiver Scheme
Brazil Mulls Expansion of Visa Waiver Scheme

Brazil’s government is considering waiving visas for tourists from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, as part of an effort to make the country more appealing to international tourists. Marx Beltrao, Brazil’s new tourism minister, spoke of the proposal last week at a tourism festival, calling for a 12-month trial period of a visa-waiver program similar to the program adopted for the Summer Olympics, Reuters reported. Brazil is interested in drawing more foreign investment and visitors to the country and would waive the current visa fees for international tourists, which run as high as $160. The trial would initially run for a year, but if the tourism boost is big enough, the visa exemptions could become a permanent measure. Other countries could then reciprocate, which could eventually also include China, to remove visa requirements for Brazilian tourists. The ministry is also looking into the potential of removing hotel taxes for customers paying with international credit cards. Beltrao will still need to gain approval from various departments of the government, including the foreign ministry department, for the proposal to go into effect.

 

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