When I went to Brazil in 2003, I was surprised that I needed a visa. Americans rarely need access in Latin American countries. Brazil taught me a lesson in diplomacy: reciprocity.
The idea is simple: if a country demands that your citizens get a visa to enter their country, then you reciprocate and require that their citizens do the same to enter your country.
At first glance, this principle seems just, logical, and fair. However, it's short-sighted, self-defeating, and stupid.
A few African countries adopt the same policies as a few countries across the globe.
The idea of reciprocity is that countries want to be treated as equals and have equal respect. The thinking goes, "If you humiliate our citizens with a tedious and expensive visa process, we'll humiliate yours."
However, whether you like it or not, not all countries are equal--and everyone knows it. Italians are not dying to go to Chad, but Chadians are dying to go to Italy.
When a poor country makes it hard for citizens of a rich country to visit their country, the biggest loser is the impoverished country. It loses:
- Income from tourism
- Business opportunities
- Trade
- Jobs
As a result, their economy doesn't take off, which means the rich countries will continue to make it hard for their citizens to visit since they're not peers.
They only gain pride when they tell the rich guys, "We don't need you. Go fuck yourselves."
In June 2013, Senegal instituted a $50 visa. The economy plummeted. They had just shot themselves in the foot. Two years later, they got rid of the visa.
Some countries are slow to realize that they aren't as unique as they think.
I haven't returned to Brazil for 15 years, partly because of their visa. But you may need to go. Here's a guest post on how you do it.
Guest Post by Paulina Rochin
Before you set foot on the sands of Brazil, you need to have your Brazil visa online application form started.
Tourist Visa Exemptions
Some people don't need to submit a Brazil visa online application form. All they need is their passport, and they will be allowed passage into its borders.
Fifty countries can enter Brazil's borders without a visa, including citizens from France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, to name a few of the 42 countries that don't need a visa.
Surprisingly, people from the United States of America are not granted free passage into Brazil without a visa.
Aside from the 42 visa-free countries, everyone else has to have their Brazil visa online application form processed and approved before they can be allowed by border control to enter after their documents are screened, along with the all-important visa.
However, those exempted from having a tourist visa must stay for less than 90 days.
Business Visa For Brazil
In addition to the 42 countries that don't need a tourist visa, 50 countries do not need a business visa. Those countries include Andorra, Bahamas, Barbados, Guatemala, Guyana, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Namibia, Panama, and Venezuela.
Venezuela is a particular case because they are exempted from a business visa if the estimated length of stay does not go beyond 60 days. Beyond that, a business visa will be required, which can be started by using the Brazil visa online application form.
Aside from Venezuela, every other country, exempted or not, is allowed up to 90 days.
Brazil E-visa
E-visa, as its name suggests, is an electronic visa form. The advantage of the E-visa is that after five-day processing, the visa can be sent straight to the applicant's e-mail address. Hence, waiting for the actual visa to arrive is no longer necessary.
Among all the types of visas, this could be considered one of the most powerful because this alone can cover multiple types of visas. Aside from the two mentioned above, it can also cover the following:
- Seminar or conferences – this can easily be confused with a business visa, but this specifies which conference the person is going to rather than a general business visa. In addition, conferences are not limited to business summits.
- Voluntary Services – used by altruistic individuals, usually used by non-governmental organizations whose only aim is to help those in need, provided that they stay no more than 90 days in the country.
- Sports Activities – we have heard of the Olympics where, during that period, athletes were given an exemption to enter the country. However, it is not limited to significant events. It could include sports camps or even sports companies aiming to promote their brand.
- Short Medical Treatment – which should be self-explanatory; however, it has the same limitation that all the others have – no more than 90 days.
- Scientific and Research Activities – although both go hand in hand, there are times when research does not mean science. Science is merely for studying a specific niche or field, but research encompasses even science.
- Cultural Activities are for people who aim to share their culture with the country or immerse themselves in theirs.
These are just some of the activities that the E-visa covers.
Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for an E-visa. Today, only people from the United States of America, Australia, Japan, and Canada are eligible, which could be their way of compensating for these countries not being suitable for an exemption.
Visas are powerful, especially in this day and age. They give you permission to set foot in a country provided that you stay within your visa's limitations. Whether your aim is a little R&R, business meetings, or helping those in need in Brazil, the country will always welcome you with the best it can offer.
Paulina Rochin wrote this guest post.
