The decision marks a reversal from 2019 when former President Jair Bolsonaro removed tourist visa requirements for citizens of these three countries, as well as Japan, without demanding reciprocal treatment for Brazilian tourists visiting the US, Australia, and Canada.

In September of last year, visas were waived for Brazilians traveling to Japan, following an agreement signed between President Lula and Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, during the G7 Summit held in the Japanese city of Hiroshima in the first half of 2023.

The reintroduction of the visa requirement aligns with Brazil’s historical diplomatic principle of reciprocity.

In the first five months of 2023, Brazil welcomed 2.97 million international tourists, marking a significant increase of 108 percent compared to the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Tourism, May stood out as a particularly successful month, with over 292.3 thousand visitors, representing a 44.5 percent surge compared to May 2022.

Among the top countries of origin for international tourists, Argentina took the lead with 1.24 million visitors, followed by the United States with 271.1 thousand, and Paraguay with 215.5 thousand. Combined, these three countries accounted for nearly half of all foreigners who visited Brazil.

The most popular destinations within Brazil included the states of Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo.

Minister of Tourism, Daniela Carneiro, attributed the impressive figures to recent political changes within the country. “We have achieved record numbers in international visitor arrivals, thanks to various government initiatives, including Brazil’s enhanced global engagement and our country’s renewed image focusing on sustainability and environmental preservation. This has established Brazil as a promising destination, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors from around the world,” Carneiro stated.

The economic impact of tourism also demonstrated growth. Foreign tourists spent a total of US$ 2.721 billion during the first five months, marking a 35.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

In May alone, tourists spent US$ 567 million, setting a record for the month in the historical data series. Last year, tourist expenditure in May amounted to US$ 373 million.

ABr

The ranking was based on data from the US State Department and reveals that the queue of applicants currently displays record highs in four of the five Brazilian cities where the document can be requested.

The longest waiting time is reported in São Paulo. Applicants seeking to schedule an appointment can get one in 615 days—almost 20 months. Next in line are the cities of Porto Alegre (507 days), Brasília (493), Rio de Janeiro (478), and Recife (449). According to AG Immigration, only Rio has had longer waiting lines. The numbers for all the others are record highs.

Only six other countries are slower: Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, Nepal, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. In Brazil, tourism and business visas account for more than 90 percent of all applications. In the case of work and study visas, the process is usually faster.

The first steps to have the document issued are filling out an online form and pay a $160 fee. Next, an interview must be scheduled at the embassy in Brasília or at the one of the four consulates—located in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Porto Alegre.

The tourist visa can be used for several visits to the US within ten years. The length of stay for each trip, however, is defined by the immigration team receiving the passenger after landing, and is usually less than six months.

With a tourist visa, travelers are not allowed to work or study in the country, and only short programs are allowed.

In a statement, the US embassy acknowledges the problem. “The waiting time for first-time tourist visas is longer than we would like, still as a result of the demand brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are working to increase the time available for appointments. We have hired new staff, we are working overtime, and the period for visa renewals with no interviews has been extended from 12 to 48 months.”

The embassy expects positive results before July vacations, but warns that the demand should still be high. “Brazil was the second highest visa processing country in the world in 2022. We currently interview an average of over 6 thousand visa applications every day, and should exceed 1 million visas processed by 2023.

“We recommend that people plan their trips in advance and that applicants check our website to see if they are eligible for visa renewal without the need for an interview, which is much faster.”

ABr

Upon boarding their flight, travelers must provide a print copy or scanned image of the e-visa to their carrier of choice. This can be done on a computer, cell phone or tablet.

The Ministry said the e-visa will cost USD 40 with a maximum 2-year validity. The new system goes into effect this Tuesday for travelers from Australia, on January 11, 2018 for ones from Japan, on January 18 for Canadians and on January 25 for citizens of the United States.

According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, these countries were first picks because in 2016, they accounted for 63.74% of tourist visa and for 58.15% of business visa applications for Brazil.

This Tuesday, the Ministry said that “the results will lead to further studies conducive to the addition of other nationalities.”

Upon announcing its e-visa project last April, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry had said that a second phase could see visas made available for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India and China.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS from the Brazilian e-visa site:

Why should I use the online application system?

By applying online you do not have to visit the consulate. You can submit all the required documents, information and pay for visa fees from home or office. If your visa application is approved, we will forward the visa copy through email on your registered email ID. However if you wish to submit the application physically you can still visit your nearest Brazilian Consulate.

What is the difference between the eVisa and the Consular Visa?

The eVisa is a type of application done completely online, while the Consular Visa demands you to go to a Consulate in person.
The eVisa can be applied online through internet from your Desktop, Laptop or a Mobile phone, while in case of Consular Visa you cannot apply.
The eVisa will not be stamped on your passport, while the Consular Visa will be stamped.
You can apply for eVisa only if your intentions in Brazil are tourism or business, while in case of Consular Visa, application can be submitted according to your purpose of travel.
The eVisa is valid only for 02 years.
The Consular Visa has a large number of subcategories that vary according to your purpose of travel, while the eVisa has only one category.
Your stay in Brazil with eVisa is limited to 90 days per year.
eVisa is not an emergency visa, for an emergency visa applicants need to visit the nearest consulate.
The eVisa application is a facility provided exclusively for Australian, Canadian, American or Japanese citizens, while the Consular Visa can be applied by a wider range of nationalities.
Please note you may also apply for a Tourist or Business Visa at the Consulate / Embassy covering your jurisdiction.
How much does it cost to apply for a visa? What types of visa can I apply for?

The visa fees and service fees are 40 and 4.24 respectively including incidentals, if any. All charges are payable in US Dollars. You can apply for Online Tourist Visa.

Do children or infants need a visa?

Yes. All applicants, including children and infants must have a visa to enter Brazil. This also includes infants traveling on parents’ laps. We are unable to process visas for children endorsed on parent’s passports.

Are the visa fees same for infant, minor and adult?

Yes, the eVisa fee is the same for infant, minor or an adult.

I have dual nationality. How do I proceed?

You have to choose one of your nationalities and use the corresponding passport to apply. Make sure that the chosen nationality is applicable eVisa facility.

What is the procedure to apply for a Brazil visa online?

To apply for a Brazil visa online you must have a valid machine readable passport. You can start the application process

Click On www.vfsglobal.com/Brazil-eVisa/
Applicants need to register
Complete Visa Application Form
Upload mandatory document
Answer set of questions asked during the visa application process
Make online payment.
After your application is complete, we will contact you within an average of 5 working days with the results of your visa application.

How much time does it take for eVisa approval?

Provided all required documents are submitted correctly, visas are normally issued within 4 – 5 working days of your application. If your application exceeded five working days, please contact us.

The processing time of my eVisa was not respected and my travel date is coming up. How do I proceed?

If the processing time of your application exceeds five working days, you can contact our staff by clicking here.

What is meant by working days?

All days except weekends and public holidays in Brazil and Australia are considered as working days. Saturday and Sunday are considered as weekends in Brazil and Australia. For list of public holidays click here

What documents do I need to apply? Do all family members need to submit documents?

Every applicant requiring a visa will need to submit scan colored copies of their:

Passport information (bio page) /picture page(s)
A ICAO Standard photograph:
The photograph must be taken from the front, against white background.
The applicant’s face and shoulders must be centralized on the camera and he or she must be looking into the camera.
No reflections, shadows or glares are accepted in the picture.
The applicant shall provide neutral face and the eyes must be open and visible.
If you wear glasses, the lenses may not reflect the ambient light or the camera. Dark glasses or non-prescription glasses with tinted lenses, or thick frames, are not acceptable.
Headgear or hats are not acceptable, except when used for religious reasons. They cannot, however, prevent a perfect view of the face of the applicant.
Children can not appear with toys, pacifiers, or hands of people holding them.
The examples of photographs in the pattern required can be viewed here.
Additional documents

If the applicant is minor, based on date of birth and if the applicant is a minor, then the applicant will have to upload additional documents based on parent criteria. The applicant will select either parent one/parent two/legal guardian.

If the applicant selects both parents, one and parent two, then he will have to upload the bio page and the photo of both the parents and authorization letter signed by both parents. If the applicant selects either one of the parents or a legal guardian, then he will have to upload any valid document that demonstrate why only one parent or one legal guardian is authorizing and not both along with bio page and photo. . The user will have to upload the authorization letter once he is prompted to upload documents after he selects the parent or a legal guardian. These are the documents the parent 1/parent 2/legal guardian has to upload

Minor Authorization Form signed by both parents / legal guardian.
Parent 1 / legal guardian 1, passport bio page
Parent 2 / legal guardian 1, passport bio page
Photo of Parent 1 / legal guardian 1
Photo of Parent 2 / legal guardian 2
If only 1 parent, supporting docs for why only 1 parent (e.g. authorization form for parent 2 stating parent 1 , death certificate, birth certificate, single parent custody legal document etc.)
You can download the authorization letter here.

How will I receive my eVisa?

All visas are sent by email, to the email address given at the time of registration.

What if I lose my eVisa?

If you lose your eVisa, you can reprint it by accessing it from your e-mail.

I did not pay attention and provided the wrong e-mail address while I filled out my eVisa form. How do I proceed?

If you provide an incorrect e-mail address, you will not receive a Log-in link. Thus, your data will not be properly recorded and you have to apply once again.

I am not receiving e-mails concerning to my eVisa, although I provided the correct e-mail address while filling my eVisa form. How do I proceed?

If you are not receiving e-mails properly, you can contact one of our staffs by clicking here.

I made a family eVisa application. All the eVisa were approved, except for mine. What should my family do?

Although there is the possibility of applying as a family, the analysis of each application is done separately. If your eVisa was denied, you have to apply for the Consular Visa (but the rest of your family can travel on the eVisa).

I was requested to provide additional documents, but I am having trouble while submitting them and the time for submission is almost expiring. How do I proceed?

If you are having trouble to submit additional documents, you have to contact our staff by clicking here.

I was requested to provide additional documents but I will not be able to submit it within 30 days. What will happen to my application and visa fees?

If you do not submit the additional documents within 30 days, your eVisa will be denied and you will have to start a new application. No visa fees would be refunded.

Which passport or travel document holders are eligible to apply for eVisa?

Only regular passport holders are eligible to apply for eVisa. Diplomatic / Service / Official / temporary passport holders or travel documents holders are not eligible for eVisa. Any application received other than regular passport holders may be rejected and their visa fees would not be refunded.

Is there a minimum browser requirement?

Yes, the eVisa can be applied through Internet Explorer 10, Google Chrome 43, Firefox 38, Opera 29, Safari 9.

Will I definitely get a visa if I apply online? If I get a visa, am I guaranteed entry in Brazil?

The decision to grant entry visas for Brazil is entirely at the discretion of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) – VFS Global cannot guarantee that your visa application will be approved. The granting of a visa does not guarantee entry in Brazil; the final decision is made by immigration officers at the point of entry.

My eVisa was denied. Can I ask for the refund of the fees?

The Visa fees as levied to the applicants are non-refundable under any circumstances whatsoever.

I did not pay attention and paid the fee twice. Can I ask for a refund?

The Visa fees as levied to the applicants are non-refundable under any circumstances whatsoever. Except under circumstances wherein we have received duplicate payment for the same application.

If my visa application is rejected, can I apply again?

Yes, you can reapply using the Online service or at the nearest consulate if your visa is rejected.

I was requested to provide additional documents, will my family application be on pause until I provide the additional documents?

No, only your application will be on pause till additional documents are not received. The family applications will be processed.

How can I contact VFS Global?

If you have any questions, please contact us through our e-mail address or helpline. Please note that all communications & correspondences would be in English Language only.

How can I provide my feedback for the services rendered?

VFS Global welcomes your feedback. Please use our FeedBack section to send us your comments.

Why was my visa application rejected?

Unfortunately, the Brazil Immigration authorities do not give reasons for rejecting visa applications, so we cannot provide specific reasons why your application was unsuccessful.

How can I track the status of my visa application?

You can track your application by going to, and clicking on “track your application”. We will send you an email once your visa application has been approved or rejected, or if any additional information is required.

Do I have to submit my passport for stamping before I travel?

No. You will receive an electronic visa, which does not require to be stamped on your passport ahead of travel. All visa copies are sent by email. You should print a copy of your eVisa and carry it with you when you travel to Brazil.

My passport is expiring soon – can I still get a visa?

All visitors need to have a valid passport for at least 01 month from the date of application. If your passport validity is less than 01 month, you will have to renew or apply for a fresh your passport before you can apply for an eVisa.

Can I apply for a Brazil visa if my passport has a single name?

Passports with single name will not be accepted, applicants need to have minimum two names in their passport to apply for a Brazil visa.

What is the validity of a visitor’s visa?

The validity of visitor’s visa depends on the nationality of applicants. Generally it is 02 years from the date of issue or till the passport expiry date, whichever is earlier.

My visa was printed incorrectly. What should I do?

If your visa was printed incorrectly, you will have to apply for a fresh visa again as visas once issued cannot be corrected.

Will the visitor’s visa be Multiple Entry or Single Entry visa?

Usually a visitor’s visa is for Multiple Entry, but it is at the sole discretion of MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) whether to grant a Multiple Entry or a Single Entry visa. Visitor’s visa issued through this service is a Multiple Entry Visa.

If I don’t have a Credit / Debit card, can I use someone else’s Credit / Debit card to make visa fees payment?

It is not mandated that the Credit / Debit card needs to be in the name of the person who is applying for a visa.

I have made payment but I have not received any confirmation or email from your end?

There could be multiple reasons for not receiving a confirmation for the payment.

The payment was not successful
The internet connection was lost during the transaction
Your card is not a 3D secure card

Request you to kindly check your bank statement to confirm that the payment was successful. If the payment was successful you can contact us with a scanned copy of your bank statement. Else you may try making the payment again, using a different browser or using a different card.

Despite the seeming abundance of riches for travelers, Brazil has a tourism problem. Because while you may have heard about the Amazon or the stunning beaches of Rio de Janeiro, you have probably also heard that Brazil has high crime rates, was affected by the outbreak of the Zika virus and that its politicians have concocted the largest graft scheme in Latin American history.

Most likely you’ve never visited Brazil. Only 6.6 million foreigners did last year, when the country hosted the Olympics, according to the Ministry of Tourism. That’s about half the number that go to the tiny city-state of Singapore – and this in a continent-sized country that the World Economic Forum ranks Number 1 in natural resources and Number 8 in cultural resources.

“The highest gap between potential in tourism in the world and what’s been realized so far is Brazil,” said Vinicius Lummertz, the president of Embratur, Brazil’s tourism board.

“We have (everything) from Xingu (an indigenous reserve) and Indians to Oktoberfest in Santa Catarina” – not to mention having hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Measures to Boost Tourism

In the face of a deep and protracted recession, the government is now hoping to change all that with several measures that aim to nearly double the number of foreign visitors in the next five years. But hoteliers, travel bloggers and others who work in tourism say there are many obstacles to still overcome.

The government’s plans include the introduction of a new law that would allow 100 percent foreign ownership of airlines, with the aim of increasing flight routes and driving down the cost of travel. Another plank will allow Americans, Canadians, Japanese and Australians – all of whom need visas to visit Brazil – to apply for visas online, instead of at a consulate.

Cheaper flights and a smoother visa procedures will address some tourist complaints about Brazil, but Alison McGowan says the plan ignores the most glaring problem: Nobody knows how great Brazil is in the first place.

“People don’t even get as far as (applying for a visa),” said McGowan, the CEO of hiddenpousadasbrazil.com, a guide to inns, boutique hotels and B&B’s in Brazil. “They haven’t got people wanting to go to Brazil yet.”

McGowan and other tourism professionals say the government lacks a coherent campaign to promote Brazil abroad – the real country, not just the clichés of Carnaval and soccer great Pelé. Part of the government’s plan is to beef up Embratur. Officials there said they hoped that would lead to a doubling of investment in promotion.

Last year, Embratur had a US$ 16 million budget – which the agency said was much less than what other South American countries spend. McGowan and others said Brazil is particularly bad at reaching modern global travelers who research trips and make reservations online. McGowan called the country’s main tourism portal for foreigners, visitbrasil.com, “a disgrace.”

Lummertz, the president of Embratur, says the government’s plan will help promote Brazil abroad. But he says that the nation’s tourist blues go beyond that. Latin America’s largest nation is still struggling to overcome decades of isolation and remains the most closed of the so-called BRICS economies, he says.

This has certain repercussions for tourism: High import taxes and other hangovers from isolation make the country expensive for travelers and reduce the quality of goods and services. Few Brazilians speak English – partly because they are unlikely to come across global travelers here.

It’s impossible, of course, to gloss over Brazil’s real problems. It has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Rio’s bay is polluted. And Zika is indeed a risk. But the government and Embratur need a counter-narrative for tourists.

“What is the world capital of pickpockets? It’s Barcelona,” said Ricardo Freire, who founded the Brazilian travel blog viajenaviagem.com. “But (the residents) don’t tell you not to come there.”

The drawbacks of Brazil also need to be put in context. Tourists are not likely to be visiting tough urban neighborhoods where most of the crime happens, notes Emmanuel Rengade, the owner of the luxury, ecological hotels Pousada Picinguaba and Fazenda Catucaba. In the countryside, Rengade says he doesn’t even lock his door.

As for Zika, a mosquito-borne disease that has been linked to a rare birth defect. Cases this year have fallen dramatically, and the government earlier this month declared the emergency over.

Rio’s bay might be polluted, but the country has more unspoiled nature to visit than any one person could hope to see in a lifetime. And contrary to Brazil’s messy image, Ben Feetham says: “Everything seems to work.”

Feetham, who is a reviewer for i-escape.com, a site that curates a selection of boutique hotels and inns, honeymooned in Brazil in April and said he had none of the usual stress about airport transfers or bus connections.

All of the fuss over reputation and promotion ignores the No. 1 thing tourists like best about Brazil in surveys: the people, known for being easygoing and welcoming.

“Anybody who goes to Brazil comes back loving it,” said Pauline Frommer, the co-publisher of the Frommer’s guidebooks and frommers.com. “The key is getting people there.”

DW

The country is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. It has sandy beaches and beautiful flat-topped mountains. The dance and music of samba was developed there. And the country has many towns built by the Portuguese during colonial times.

But, Brazil has a tourism problem. The Ministry of Tourism says only 6.6 million foreigners visited Brazil last year. That is about half the number that go to the small, island state of Singapore.

Vinicius Lummertz is the president of Brazil’s tourism board, Embratur. He says, “The highest gap between potential in tourism in the world and what’s been realized so far is in Brazil.”

The government is now proposing measures aimed at nearly doubling the number of foreign visitors to Brazil in the next five years. The government plan includes a law to permit 100 percent foreign ownership of airlines. The goal is to increase the number of flight routes and lower the cost of travel.

The government also will permit citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia to apply for visas online, instead of at a consulate, or diplomatic office. The government hopes less costly air travel and an easier visa process will deal with some criticisms about Brazil from tourists.

But some tourism professionals say the government does not yet have a clear plan to persuade people to come to Brazil. They add that Brazil is not doing a good job reaching modern global travelers who research trips and make reservations online.

Government officials hope to double their investment in tourism promotion efforts. Last year, the tourism board had a US$ 16 million budget. The agency said that was much less than the amounts spent by other South American countries.

Lummertz says the government’s plan will help promote Brazil to other countries. But he adds that the nation is still struggling to overcome many years of isolation. He says Brazil remains one of the most closed economies among large developing nations.

Those issues also have affected tourism. For example, high import taxes make the country costly for travelers to visit. The taxes also reduce the quality of goods and services available.

Brazil has other problems, too. It has one of the highest murder rates in the world. And the disease Zika which is carried by mosquitos and has been linked to birth defects is also a risk.

But Brazilian business owners say these issues must be put in context.

Emmanuel Rengade is a hotel owner. He says tourists are not likely to visit areas where most of the crime happens. He also points out that the number of Zika cases this year has fallen. The government recently said the Zika emergency had ended.

And, they say, discussions about Brazil’s problems ignore the one thing tourists like best about Brazil.

Surveys show that tourists love the people, who are known for being carefree and welcoming. Pauline Frommer is another tourism professional. She says that “anybody who goes to Brazil comes back loving it.”

VoA

These employees are helping to process extraordinary numbers of visa applications until permanent staff members arrive. The Department will double consular staffing in Brazil over the course of 2012, adding 50 new officer positions.

With the help of additional personnel, US Mission Brazil has reduced the average wait time for visa interview appointments in Brazil to less than 50 days.

While the Department always puts security first, visitors to the United States make critical contributions to economic growth and job creation.

That is why shortening visa interview wait times is also a priority – to encourage even greater numbers of Brazilians to visit the United States, a premier destination for travelers from around the world.

In a communiqué to the press the Stated Department stated that the United States and Brazil, “the two largest economies and the two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere, share one of the most important trade and economic relationships in the world.”

According to the American Department of Commerce, more than 1.2 million Brazilians visited the United States in 2010, contributing nearly US$ 6 billion to the U.S. economy. By 2016, the United States could host a record 2.8 million Brazilian visitors.

The United States is also experiencing unprecedented growth in demand for US visas in China, where consular officers processed more than one million applications during fiscal year 2011, a 34 percent increase over 2010.

The average wait for visa interview appointments in China is now less than ten days. The American government is promising that the  US Missions to Brazil and China “will continue to reduce visa interview wait times to the greatest extent possible by adding staff and eliminating inefficiencies wherever possible.”

More information about wait times for visa interviews and processing can be found online at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html  

Nowadays Brazilians are submitted to a serious check of their economic background in order to guarantee they won’t try to stay illegally in the US once their visa expires.

They also have to pay a US$ 140 fee to get the document. Brazil in retaliation charges the same amount and gives American citizens similar hard time to grant a Brazilian visa.

300,000 Brazilians apply for a Brazilian visa every year. Only China, India and Mexico have more applications. Ninety five percent of these applicants get their visa approved.

This is not enough, however, to make Brazil exempt of the visa requirement. Shannon says Brazil still have to improve in this area. According to him, the country is still 2% shy of a threshold created by Washington: (He doesn’t mention, however, that the 5% rejected are subject to not-always-objective criteria that might be changed in order to pass this artificial barrier.)

“Reaching 97% approval is a prerequisite for a country to be included in the visa waiver program,” said Shannon. “There is great interest in granting Brazilian such status, especially among Americans connected with the tourism industry.”

The Yankee diplomat stressed that receiving Brazilian travelers in the US creates job for Americans. Last year alone Brazilians spent US$ 785 million in Florida, for example. But he doesn’t know when the new policy might become a reality: “I cannot give dates but I can say that we’re seriously studying the issue.”

In his interview, Shannon also mentioned the new prominent role of Brazil in the world. Questioned about the harm the release of the WikiLeaks could bring to the ties between Brasília and Washington, the ambassador dismissed the whole imbroglio as not serious enough to affect the relation between the two countries.

New WikiLeaks’ revelations just released this Friday show that U.S. diplomats in 2005 wrote their bosses in Washington that the then newly-appointed chief of staff, Dilma Rousseff, had organized three bank robberies.

The same documents also allege that Rousseff planned the legendary theft of Adhemar’s safe. This in reference to a terrorist group that on July of 1969 stole in Rio de Janeiro the vault of former governor of São Paulo, Adhemar de Barros.

Shannon’s reaction: “The U.S. government has no information to confirm these allegations. Au contraire, we have with the president-elect a long and positive relationship, which began in 1992 with an exchange program and continued during her tenures as Minister of Mines and Energy and as chief of staff of the Presidency.”

And he noted that American president Barack Obama has already shown interest in meeting Rousseff as soon as possible.

The Visa Waiver Program allows entry into the U.S. by foreign tourists from selected countries, for up to 90 days without having to obtain a tourist visa.

“We are looking at the possibility of extending the Visa Waiver program for Argentina, Brazil and Chile,” said Dow during the 42nd International Pow Wow, an international business conference taking place this week in Orlando, Florida.

In this annual travel conference, over 1,000 U.S. travel organizations meet with over 1,500 international buyers in order to create future business negotiations which, in turn, generates billions of dollars in future U.S. travel and tourism.

According to Dow, this extension could happen in the next 26 months, “Although there are still a lot of steps to be taken.”

Recently, the Obama administration announced the extension to include the country and citizens of Greece.

The Visa Waiver program now includes the majority of Western Europe, along with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore.

The program used to include Argentina and Uruguay, but both were excluded in 2002 and 2003 due to the economic crisis that happened in both countries in 2001.

Stephanie Iris Schendel writes for the  Santiago Times

Even though, a visa is presently not required, Brazilians do need to go for a small interview upon arrival at UK airports and many end up being refused entry in the country. In 2008 alone, 5,000 Brazilians have not been allowed into the UK following their interview upon landing at British airports. Back in 2006 this number was 11,000.
 
The controversy started two months ago, when Brazil was placed under a "suspect countries" list, due to the high number of illegal immigrants and other crimes. The newspaper article also informed that British government is demanding that Brazil should incorporate "mitigation mechanisms", such as hiring a British police officer at Guarulhos – São Paulo International Airport.
 
Such "international connection official" as the British police officer would be called, would provide training for airline companies regarding passports, ID cards, and frauds. The news bulletin also informed that the UK Government is requiring travel agencies to interview Brazilian tourists to the UK, and not to sell tickets to those who may not be a "genuine" visitor, businessmen, tourist or student. Such measure would be an attempt to prevent travel agencies in Brazil from facilitating the entrance of illegal immigrants into UK.
 
In a letter delivered by hand to Brazilian Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim at Itamaraty (Brazil Diplomatic Agency) and Justice Minister, Tarso Genro, British Ambassador Peter Collecott was adamant: "Unless we can work together in the next six months, there will be no other option other than introduce a visa requirement process for Brazil."
 
In a letter signed by David Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary Minister, and Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, the British government announced to be "seriously concerned" with the percentage of Brazilians staying in the UK longer than their permitted time or who have been working illegally.

The Visa Waiver Test, the politics responsible for evaluating countries based on immigration, criminality, terrorism, and other risks, recommended that Brazil should be under a "probatory stage". British Government also indicated that currently there are 150,000 illegal Brazilian immigrants in UK.
 
According to Agência Estado, Brazil has 4 million citizens living overseas, of which 1.5 million live in the United States, 400,000 in Paraguay, 400,000 in Japan, and the remaining in country members of the European community, Canada and Australia.
 
Edison Bernardo DeSouza is a journalist, having graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University in São Paulo, Brazil. He lived in the US and Canada for close to 10 years and participated in volunteering activities in social works agencies. DeSouza currently lives in São Paulo where he teaches English as a Second Language, and is pursuing further advancements in his career. He is particularly interested in economics and human rights articles.

Citizens of those countries can visit the United States for up to 90 days without having to get a visa, which can cost $100 and involve paperwork and visits to a U.S. consulate for an in-person interview.

The addition of the new countries makes a total of 39 now in the Visa Waiver Program. The expansion, which the president signed Friday, August 3, was included in Homeland Security legislation called Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

The Travel Industry Association, whose Discover America Partnership has worked to expand visa waiver, says adding the new countries will help to reverse a nearly 20% decline in overseas travel to the United States since 9/11.

The new visa policy information was given in Macau by Nevada's Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki, chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism. Krolicki and commission Director Tim Maland were in Macau as part of a tourism-building mission they are leading in China for a delegation of Nevada hotel, convention, travel and airline industry officials until Aug. 11.