Brazil’s new electronic visa program for American clients heading to the country officially launched in late January.
The entire visa process to tourists coming from the U.S., Canada, Australia and Japan can now be done online, and concluded within an estimated 72 hours. The announcement was made on November 8 during a conference organized by the BTW Brazil DMC at the Consulate-General of Brazil in Los Angeles.
Brazil began issuing e-visas to clients from Australia in November. The system officially expanded to citizens from the U.S., Canada and Japan in January.
And tour operator Avanti Destinations is already reporting that the introduction of the electronic visas for American clients going to Brazil has spurred growth in the number of independent travelers booking travel to Brazil. In fact, Avanti Destinations’ Brazil bookings have doubled from this time last year.
“As soon as the news about e-visa came out, we saw a spike in bookings to Brazil, and it has continued,” said Harry Dalgaard, Avanti’s president and CEO, in a written release. “Our most popular Brazilian destinations have always been Rio [de Janeiro] and Iguassu Falls, but there are a growing number of bookings for Sao Paulo, the Amazon, and especially the smaller beach towns like Buzios and Paraty, which is a lovely, preserved colonial gem.”
Previously, travelers heading to Brazil had to make an appointment at their nearest Brazilian consulate. A valid passport, an extra photo, an application, and copy of a round-trip ticket were all required to apply for said visa.
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