Dreaming of a trip to Rio de Janeiro? It's just got easier – and cheaper.
After months of pushing and promising, Brazil previously announced it will stop requiring visas for U.S. travelers beginning Monday, June 17, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Brazillian government is also nixing visa requirements for travelers from Canada, Japan, and Australia.
While it's gotten easier in recent years to get into Brazil thanks to the introduction of e-visas last year, those still were $44.24 for a two-year visa.
Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro, made removing the visa requirements a focal point of his new administration as he seeks to improve the South American country's tourism – and its relation with the U.S. The visa change was announced on the eve of Bolsonaro's first visit with President Donald Trump.
Despite its size and the everlasting image of the “Christ the Redeemer” statue, Brazilian tourism has never quite taken off. Just 6.6 million tourists visit Brazil each year – less than Mexico gets over a three-month period, according to tourism data.
Dropping the visa requirement for the U.S. and several other countries should boost those numbers. Brazil is aiming to reach 12 million visitors per year by 2022.
Bottom Line
Any time it gets easier to visit a foreign country, it's welcome news. While Brazil's recent e-visa system was a far cry better than the old, expensive applications, a visa-free visit is tough to beat if Brazil is in your plans.