Brazil's Minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia, speaking at the São Paulo Industrial Federation (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo) (Fiesp), said he was in favor of eliminating the visa requirement for US tourists.

Mares Guia said the visa and a mandatory payment of US$ 100 was holding back the development of tourism in Brazil.

The Minister suggested that the visa could be issued when the US tourist arrives in Brazil, rather than beforehand (which would reduce red tape), and that the US$ 100 tax could be eliminated.

Spokespersons at the ministry said the proposed changes had gotten a favorable reception in Congress where a bill dealing with the subject is expected to be voted on by the end of March.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Relations says it is against eliminating the visa requirement based on the principle of reciprocity. In South America, only Brazil and Paraguay require US tourists to have visas, and only Brazil charges the US$100 tax.

ABr

Comments (9)

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written by Guest, March 02, 2006

Finally, a sign of some pragmatic behavior coming from Brazilian legislators. Why they would voluntarily shun tourist dollars for the sake of baseless pride, one will never know. My bet, though, is that the measure won't pass. Let's hope I'm wrong.

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Finally
written by Guest, March 02, 2006

I reckon Brazil should scrap visa requirements not only for Americans, but also to all other nationalities. The nation was founded by immigrants and alliens after all. Everyone who wishes should be able to come here and and enjoy such vast and diverse country.

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That would be nice !
written by Guest, March 02, 2006

Here here, I'm all for it !!!

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With my luck...
written by Guest, March 02, 2006

My having just received a new $100/five-year visa virtually guarantees this will pass.

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It the exchange rate stupid!
written by Guest, March 02, 2006

Today the exchange rate is $1 = R2.10, the real has gotten so strong that dropping the visa fee is not going to make too much of a difference. I don't need a visa but I've been forced to cut back on my trips as the $ buys so much less than it did before.

Sure, eliminating the visa fee (and the great inconvienience) will encourage more tourism from the US but maybe Brasil should realise that it's the strong real that is driving away visitors.

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Dollar, Tourism, & Reciprocity
written by Guest, March 03, 2006

The debt heavy dollar is going to brake it's back in the near future. Those days of a powerful green-back are over. This is a new world order, with emerging economies of strength. Our trade deficit is another major factor why the US economy is tanking.

Dropping the fee will not increase tourism from the USA. With the strengthening Real, visitors will consider other destinations of value. Going from 3R to 2R for 1USD in a year, is a significant depriciation of approx. 33%.

Brasil is not "driving away" any persons. If the argument's foundation is based on the dollar, our own economy is at fault...not theirs. We should applaud their tenacity and success in it's advances to becoming a better nation. Valeu.

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Small Changes Can Move Mountains
written by Guest, March 03, 2006

This could free up law enforcement workers time towards work on improved security. Why, for them, it trades time looking at paper to time looking at people. If someone has a passport, it is basically an indication of trust and resource - and even to a greater extent now with the US asking more from their own passports, the Brazilians should move to trust the passport and entrance stamp / electronic or otherwise. vamo la!

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Retaliation
written by Guest, March 03, 2006

I hope this pass,it's about time to end this stupid retaliation. Brasil is progressing finally
Joao

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written by Guest, March 16, 2006

I average two trips per year to Brazil and just a year ago received a 5-year visa. We would welcome this change and trust that the US would recriprocate by not requiring Brazilians to have a US visa. The departure tax must go by the wayside as well. Regarding another Guest comment: anyone who thinks the US economy is "tanking" is either living in a cave or hasn't read the financial section of a major newspaper in three years. The value of the dollar has strengthened against most major currencies and the value of the Real is being artificially manipulated by Brazilian Government and Banking regulators to attract capital. This fact, along with government corruption and usurious interest rates for businesses and consumers is stifling the growth of their economy even though it is holding down inflation.

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