Starting from January 10, 2024, Brazil will reinstate visas for Canadian travelers.
The application process includes submitting a valid passport, a completed application form, a passport-style photo, flight confirmation, and a printed bank statement reflecting transactions for the last 30 days with a minimum balance of US$2,000 for travel, VisaGuide.World reports.
According to local media, business travelers must provide additional information in their applications, such as job titles, job descriptions, monthly salaries, and details about the nature of their business and intended activities during their stay in Brazil.
The move was made in response to the refusal of countries such as Canada, Australia, the United States, and Japan to reciprocate the removal of entry visas for Brazilian citizens. The authorities claim they are harmonizing visa policies with those of countries that did not facilitate entry for Brazilian citizens during the initial visa-free period.
In June 2019, Brazil temporarily lifted visa requirements for Canadians, including those from the US, Japan, and Australia, to boost tourism.
Moreover, for travelers from Canada, the USA, and Australia, a visa to Brazil costs USD 80.90 per person. The visa is valid for five years for Canadians and Australians, while Americans get a ten-year validity. Brazil has enlisted the services of VFS Global, a Dubai-based technology company specializing in government and diplomatic solutions, to launch an electronic visa application platform.
In March 2023, Brazil said it would reinstate entry visa requirements for US, Japanese, Australian, and Canadian citizens, reversing a unilateral 2019 decision to streamline tourism.
The decision, aligned with the Foreigners Act, reflects Brazil’s adherence to the reciprocity principle, necessitating visas for countries that don’t extend visa-free privileges to citizens.
Despite the prior 2019 initiative to boost tourism, tourist arrivals from the US last year remained below 2018 levels. Japanese visitor numbers dropped by 4.5 percent in 2019, with only 17,000 tourists in Brazil in 2022.
As of December 2023, the VisaGuide Passport Index places the Brazilian passport at the 48th position globally. This ranking grants Brazilian citizens visa-free access to 134 countries, but holders of a Brazilian passport must obtain a visa in advance for the remaining nations.
Based on the same source, a valid passport with at least six months validity beyond the departure date is necessary for visa-free journeys, along with the mandatory purchase of travel health insurance.