Brazil Visa Waiver Program in Effect

June 1, 2016, marked the beginning of a visa waiver program for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan. The World Tourism Organization estimates the program may result in as much as a 20 percent increase in flow between these countries and Brazil.

According to the Joint Ordinance No. 216, citizens of these four countries are guaranteed visa-free entry between June 1 and September 18, 2016, with a limited stay of 90 days. The exemption is directed toward international visitors who come to Brazil exclusively for tourism purposes, but the visitor does not need to have tickets for Olympic events.

The Brazilian Tourism Board (Embratur) has taken many actions abroad to highlight the invitation to international travelers to visit Brazil in 2016 and enjoy the postcard-perfect scenery in Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian cities.

"Embratur has made a strong effort to share the news about the visa waiver measure, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in these four countries. We believe in consistent returns," said José Antonio Parente, Embratur's interim president. According to Parante, in Japan, the recent interest generated by the local press after visit from the Embratur technical team to Tokyo has generated record sales of tickets for the Olympic Games. "The major Japanese travel agencies have already released almost all the sale of their tour packages," said Parente.

In Los Angeles, Embratur recently promoted the Brazil Seminar, training 90 tourism professionals. Travel agents received information on the visa waiver program for American citizens during the Olympic Games and information about major destinations in Brazil, such as Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, Manaus, Salvador and Pantanal.

For more information, about the Brazil Olympics and visiting Brazil, please visit www.brasil2016.gov.br/en and www.rio2016.com/en.