AI translation: Google Translate (original in Portuguese) –
With the new government of President Lula, Itamaraty revised the international reciprocity agreements and indicated that it will once again demand an entry visa for Canadian citizens, as of October 1, 2023. This is because “Brazil does not grant unilateral visa exemption for visit, without reciprocity,” said Itamaraty. A note on the official website of the Government of Brazil informs that “visit visa exemption for holders of Canadian passports is in effect until September 30, 2023. As of October 1, 2023, the requirement for visas from visit for citizens of Canada, United States, Australia and Japan”.
Brazil has reciprocity agreements with around 97 countries
The professor of International Relations at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, Vinícius Vieira, in an article published in the Brazilian newspaper G1, on March 14, 2023, suggests that “the return of the visa is right because giving up the visa requirement reduces Brazil’s bargaining power in external negotiations”.
The president of the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH), Manoel Linhares, points out that the visa exemption was an old demand from the sector and that the measure did not have time to impact tourism due to the restrictions of the pandemic. In 2017, the Ministry of Tourism even proposed visa exemption for the 4 countries, but Itamaraty was against it because it understood that, in exchange, Brazilians should have the same benefits.
Today, around 97 countries open their doors to Brazilian tourists, without the need for an entry visa in the passport, as they enjoy reciprocity. In some of them, you can even enter with just your RG, as is the case in countries belonging to Mercosur.
In general, the length of stay assigned varies from 90 to 180 days, depending on the country. Less bureaucracy means, of course, more travel. However, before packing your bags, do not forget to check all the travel rules with the official bodies of each country, because the prerequisites can change at any time. Also, it is important to check if there are other requirements for the entry of Brazilians, such as:
- Vaccines (Yellow Fever, COVID, among others)
- Passport validity (some countries require that the document be valid for a certain number of months after your expected date of return to Brazil)
- Round-trip tickets (can be requested as proof that you do not intend to stay in the territory beyond the permitted period)
- Proof of accommodation
- Insurance -international travel
- Maximum length of stay in the country, without a visa
- A minimum amount available in your current account (you may need to show that you have an amount proportional to the length of your stay) )
Most popular destinations in Brazil for Canadian tourists
According to data from the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism, Canada was the eighth largest source of international tourists to Brazil in 2019, with just over 218,000 Canadian visitors. This represented an increase of 4.7% over the previous year. Most Canadian tourists (68.7%) visited Brazil for leisure, while 17.3% traveled for business.
One of the most popular destinations for Canadian tourists in Brazil is Rio de Janeiro. Known for its iconic landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Hill and Copacabana beach, Rio offers visitors a mix of culture, history and nightlife. The city is also home to the world famous Carnival, which offers unforgettable experiences that keep many Canadians coming back to Rio for new experiences.
The coastal city of Salvador is another popular destination for Canadian tourists. Known for its Afro-Brazilian culture, Salvador has colorful architecture, lively music and delicious food. Visitors can explore the historic Pelourinho district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s street markets and festivals.
In recent years, Brazilian beach destinations have also become increasingly popular with Canadian tourists, and the reason is simple. The Brazilian coastline offers visitors the opportunity to explore beautiful beaches and picturesque seaside towns.
When planning your trip to Brazil, look for a Brazilian travel agent, who will be able to help you in choosing destinations, accommodation and ticket purchase.
