BRASÍLIA (BDCi) – Starting Wednesday (7), non-citizens going to Brazil for work, such as athletes and artists, will no longer be required to obtain a tourist or temporary visa.
President Dilma Rousseff approved the measure in hopes of boosting tourism, facilitating trade and giving flexibility to those who come from abroad.
Those who wish to opt for this service can bypass their local consulates and send their documents online to Brazilian authorities, saving them both time and money.
According to a World Tourism Organization study, this facilitation of visas could increase tourism by between 5 and 25%.
The expected 600,000 foreign World Cup attendees will be the first to benefit from the new option.
As a security measure, documents may be requested upon arrival into the country.
The new law grants automatic visas only to visiting citizens whose respective nations allow the same travel rights for Brazilians.
By: Diego Díaz Source: Yahoo Spain, La Nación Photo: US Passport Service Guide 9 May 2014
7:45 a.m. P.D.T.