Brazil to reinstate visas for US, Canadian and Australian citizens
SAO PAULO — SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil will reimpose visa requirements on Thursday for U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens, ending the open entry policy for these nationalities after six years.
The United States Embassy in Brasilia announced on Monday that Americans can still apply for visas electronically when visiting Brazil from April 10 onwards.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, had eliminated the visa requirements in 2019 to promote tourism. This move contradicted Brazil’s traditional visa policy based on reciprocity and equality.
In March 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reinstated visa requirements for Americans, Canadians, and Australians, citing reciprocity as Brazilians still needed visas for those countries.
The decision to maintain visa exemptions for the three countries was initially supported by Brazil’s Senate but faced opposition in the lower house following Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Brazilian goods. The bill is currently pending a final vote.
Recently, Brazil’s Congress approved a reciprocity bill to empower the government to impose retaliatory tariffs on countries that hinder Brazilian exports. The bill awaits approval from President Lula.
