On Wednesday (March 19), the full Senate overturned a decree issued by the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) that would have required visas for tourists from the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada as of April 10 this year. As a result, the measure will now go through the Chamber of Deputies and represents a significant change in the visa policy adopted by Brazil.
Why was the visa requirement for tourists dropped?
Senator Carlos Portinho (PL-RJ) said that waiving the visa requirement for these countries corrected a serious flaw in the country's visa policy, which was based exclusively on the principle of reciprocity. According to him, this principle is not mandatory under the Migration Law (Law 13.445/2017) and that the bureaucratic process required to obtain a visa prevented the country from receiving essential foreign currency for sectors such as food, lodging and transportation.
In addition, Portinho pointed out that the waiver is in line with the constitutional principles of efficiency and economy. Thus, the resumption of the visa requirement would create a bureaucracy that would harm tourism and negatively affect states and municipalities. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) also supported the measure, emphasizing that the suspension of the decree is crucial to avoid the loss of billions of reais injected into the economy through tourism. He also pointed out that the revenue generated by the digital issuance of visas - currently US$ 80.90 (around R$ 458.30) - is not part of the Union's General Budget and remains at the discretion of Itamaraty.
Context and differences on visa requirements
It is worth remembering that the visa exemption for foreigners was suspended during the government of former president Jair Bolsonaro in 2019. However, Lula's government adopted the principle of reciprocity and tried to resume this requirement, since the United States, Canada and Australia also require visas from Brazilians. Initially, the new rule was supposed to come into force on October 1, 2023, but after criticism and problems in serving tourists, the deadline was postponed.
Although the majority of senators are in favor of suspending the decree, some congressional leaders have come out against the measure. For example, Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (PT-AP) argues that the withdrawal of the visa demonstrates submission to foreign interests, while Senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) argues that the charge - of approximately US$ 87 for a visa valid for 10 years - would not represent an obstacle for tourists who can afford it. In addition, Senator Fabiano Contarato (PT-ES) criticized the proposal, highlighting the difficulties faced by Brazilians in obtaining a US visa and describing the process as humiliating.
Impacts on tourism and the economy
With the overturning of the decree, Brazil has resumed its visa-free policy for tourists from the USA, Japan, Australia and Canada. This change could increase the flow of visitors and contribute significantly to the economy, especially in the food, accommodation and transportation sectors. In addition, the decision eliminates the need for a bureaucratic process, making it easier for tourists to enter and stay.
Embratur data shows that visa exemptions have been key to keeping the country competitive on the global stage, which reinforces the importance of measures that encourage tourism and generate foreign exchange.
Conclusion
In summary, the Senate's decision to suspend the visa requirement for tourists from the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada marks an important step forward for the Brazilian tourism sector. This measure not only simplifies the process of entering the country, but also protects economic interests by stimulating the flow of tourists and avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.
Update: This post is an update of previous article on "The Brazilian visa requirement: what to expect in 2025".
