As I predicted, Brazil will reinstate visa requirements for citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan just four years after the government of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro eliminated them in 2019 in a push to build tourism and business in the world’s fifth-most populated nation.
Brazil Will Requires Visas For Citizens Of US, Canada, Australia, And Japan
In 2019, Bolsonaro pledged to eliminate visa requirements for US citizens within 100 days of office and followed through, making it very easy to Americans to visit beautiful Brazil.
When it comes to tourism, I’m all about lowering barriers to entry. While every country has a sovereign right to protect its borders, penalizing those who want to come to your country with a return ticket to spend money never made much sense to me.
Back in 2019 I figured that while the US would likely not be making a reciprocal change to its own visa policy for Brazilians, change starts one country at a time. I applauded Brazilians for no longer punishing themselves for issues of pride (reciprocity). I still respect that. As Tourism Minister Alvaro Antonio argued:
These countries have low immigration risk, are good for tourists, good in spending and don’t have consular problems. Our aim is to grow tourism and thereby create jobs and income for Brazil.
But under the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil is poised to resume visa requirements for US citizens (and citizens of Australia, Canada, and Japan). Per Reuters:
A diplomatic source said the 2019 decision to lift visa requirements had weakened Brazil’s ability to negotiate with those countries.
I predicted this last June:
Brazilian government studies showed only a minimum impact to tourism, but I feel that totally ignores an elephant in the room called COVID-19.
CONCLUSION
It appears the Itamaraty (Brazil’s Foreign Ministry) is preparing to reintroduce visa requirements for US citizens. Hopefully, e-visas will be available because the old process of visiting embassies or consulates was among the worst in the world for developed nations. I remain firmly against barriers to entry like visas when levied on a reciprocity basis. And yes, I’d like to make it easier for Brazilians to visit the USA as well.
Will visa requirements impact your decision to visit Brazil?
(H/T: Mestre das Milhas)
In before the politicos go on a field day with this in the comments.
We have bigger problems. This isn’t one of them
Is Brazil a developed nation? Asking for a friend.
Lol wanted Lula to lose just so you wouldn’t have to get a visa once every couple years. Checks out.
As I said, self-serving but I hate visas, especially when they are imposed merely based upon reciprocity.
Then why not campaign for the US to remove this requirement for Brazilians? And while you’re on persuade your government to to treat every visitor as though they are a potential terrorist?
There is no country in the world more hostile to visitors than the US, I’d like to see reciprocity on that.
If you dont like it, hassle your congressman not the Brazilians – they’re only replicating your behavior
It’s not Congress that sets the Brazilian visa policy.
As Brazilian, I saw a little ridiculous ask for visa for citizens of developed countries. It is an E-Visa anyway, very simple..
But when I try to renew my sixth US VISA, with more than fifteen trips to the US in the last 10 years and I see so much bureaucracy by the American embassy, with a year of waiting for an interview, making me lose the marriage of a great friend in NY, I really think that a reciprocity politics is necessary …
With his politics to kiss Trump’s ass, Corrupt and crazy Bolsonaro eliminated the visa for Americans, but tourism did not increase and the only thing Brazil won were more taxes for his steel.
Maybe tourism didn’t increase because of the pandemic?!
But to be clear, it’s terrible what the USA puts people through. I’m ashamed.
Lula is a criminal. This will be more money in the pot for him to leach off of.
Bolsonaro is a criminal, who flees to Florida so as not to deliver the presidency to Lula and even plan a blow in January. The brazilian Congress, Senate and Courts invaded and destroyed by hordes of barbarous “Bolsonaristas”. And the USA give it protection.
I imagine if it were the reverse case, an American refugee in Brazil tries a coup d’etat in the US….
Bolsonaro even tried to bring three million dollars to the US in jewels that were given as a tip by Arabs.
And the thief judge who condemned Lula, who was subsequently considered innocent, won the position as Bolsonaro Justice Minister.
I am not a fan of Lula, but compared to Bolsonaro, he is a great head of state. At least he is a normal person, not a absolut crazy religious criminal.
I wasn’t comparing Lula to Bolsonaro. I was simply stating that Lula is corrupt.
You’re an idiot. Enjoy the tax increases and upcoming recession in Brazil, you deserve them.
Recession? Not again, thank you. Enough with Bolsonaro, who came to power in Brazil with a GDP of $1,920.06B and cowardly fled to Florida four years later with a GDP of $1,658.60B.
By far the most inept President of Brazil in history.
You’re an idiot AND a liar. Brazil’s GDP increased since 2019, despite covid.
The most inept President of Brazil in history just got back and you’ll see the results soon.
Sorry I meant replicating US requirements, they don’t replicate US behavior at immigration – nobody does, not since the end of the Soviet Union.
You’ll be treated a whole lot better by Brazilian immigration than what the unfortunate Brazilians can expect from US immigration.
What about Mexico? Mexico required Brazilians to get a visa before visiting last year. Yet Mexico is exempt?
If your congressman is powerless to assist here I wouldn’t bother voting for him next time
Matthew I really enjoy reading your blog and your thoughtful answers to the commenters of all persuasions – even myself. And it’s clear you are ready to stand up for a cause, choosing the most important cause of the day come what may. Looking at your trip reports from the Ukraine, our niggles about visas and lines at immigration seem insignificant.
Yet it would be nice if one quiet day you would address the peculiar double-standard of the United States when it comes to immigration. On the one hand making airport-immigration an ordeal for everyone, discouraging all tourists and would-be migrants from third world countries. While at the same time tunnelling in a million or two illegals at the land border to work the farms or just drive down wages in general.
Not to be a pedant, but Brazil is the 7th most populated country, not the 5th.
1. China
2. India
3. USA
4. Indonesia
5. Pakistan
6. Nigeria
7. Brazil
I went to Brazil 3 times during COVID and I wouldn’t have done it if a Visa was needed. I got a Brazilian Visa once and it was a PITA. I hope they think long and hard about this.
I have two passports, and American and a Guatemalan. The only stamps in my Guatemalan passport are Brazilian. Even when I visit Guatemala, I use my American passport.
LOL…when I went to get my Brazilian visa 6 or 7 years ago the clerk said she needed proof that my company would provide funds for my trip so that I wouldn’t stay in Brazil permanently.
I just happened to be wearing a suit and tie and told her that I had zero interest in living in a favela and that there were MUCH better countries to be indigent in.
But the entire process was a hassle so…
Both Brazil and Argentina offer a great tourist opportunities for Americans who have spent enough time visiting Europe and don’t want to travel as far to Asia or Australia. Both countries could use the income to grow wages, boost jobs, and help the public. It’s easy money. Of course the socialist wants to make things harder for tourists and those with jobs in the tourist sector. The U.S. has a visa requirement because millions of poor Brazilians could buy a plane ticket to the U.S. and then remain as illegals. Very few poor Americans are interested in being illegals in Brazil. Wait times for a visa to the U.S. for middle class and rich tourists are ridiculous and it is an abusive process when millions pour through the border and remain but that’s not an excuse to put visa restrictions of Americans when it only hurts your country.
Bolsonaro was a good leader who encouraged citizens to defend themselves from violent attack by expanding gun rights so not only cops and criminals have guns. He deployed the Army to Rio and reduced violence in the favelas and lowered the crime rates on normal Brazilians who are not associated with gangs. He pushed lower taxes, less burdensome regulations on business, and recognized tourism is a great and underdeveloped asset. He was pro free speech and oppose gender propaganda in schools.
Just to note: it’s possible Lula didn’t win the election and Bolsonaro didn’t lose. It’s the same story about big cities with high socialist populations who stuff ballots. Socialist appointed judges of course say there was no fraud; they don’t even look at the evidence but say plaintiffs have no standing to sue. It’s just like in the U.S. with McConnell federalist judges who wanted Trump out of the way so we could return to neo con wars and open borders for cheap labor for the elite. Bolsonaro couldn’t put in his own judges but Trump proved to be a the opposite of a genius and appointed and hired nothing but rinos despite saying he would drain the swamp. Trump is mentally impaired.
Once in awhile I find myself wondering if the relative ease of international air travel around the globe has truly done the world any meaningful “net-good.” Has it contributed to reducing global conflicts, made us more tolerant and less nationalistic, and countless other parameters? I wonder what would happen if every country required a US-style visa process?
A new report from UK-based travel search engine momondo, based on a survey of over 7,300 adults from across the globe including the UK, has found a very strong link between the amount we travel and our tolerance for those from other countries and cultures – as well as how we see ourselves.
The Value of Traveling 2019: Opening Our World report found that six in 10 Brits (58%) who travel regularly say they trust those from other countries – however, the figure is significantly lower (37%) amongst those who do not go on holiday.
In general, 86% of Brits who travel frequently believe that travel has given them a more positive view about other cultures – compared to just 30% of infrequent travellers. Taking the idea even further, 62% of people who travel at least twice a year feel that if people travelled more, there would be more peace in the world – compared to just 26% of non-travellers.
It also reveals that those who travel more are more likely to consider themselves ‘citizens of the world’. Three quarters (73%) of those who travel regular say this about themselves – with the figure falling to 43% amongst those who do not travel.
https://www.traveldailymedia.com/new-study-reveals-strong-link-between-amount-we-travel-and-our-tolerance-of-other-cultures/
and on nationalism from the same study
Interestingly, the amount we travel appears to make no difference to how we feel regarding our national identity. The study found that 88% of UK residents who travel regularly consider themselves ‘citizens of the United Kingdom’ – the exact same figure as those who do not travel.
I would love to say “screw ’em, I won’t be going back,” but I love Brazil too much. I guess I’ll just have to get the visa because there’s no substitute for Brazil.
As for reciprocity, Brazil is silly to expect that. If Brazilians didn’t need a visa to visit the USA many people would overstay. Of course most wouldn’t, but many would, and the Lula administration should focus on fixing Brazil’s income disparities, not making policies that discourage tourism in order to stroke their ego.
Bolsonaro – like Trump won. And the same CIA election fraud team helped cheat both.