What does the change mean? From June 1 to Sept. 18, nationals of the four countries may visit Brazil for tourist purposes without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

• Implementation time frame: June 1 to Sept. 18.
• Visas/permits affected: Visa exemption.
• Who is affected: Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan and the U.S.
• Impact on processing times: The waiver will temporarily eliminate visa processing for affected nationals.

Business impact: Business activities are not permitted on the visa waiver. Anyone intending to conduct business, work, study or engage in other nontourist activities must apply for an appropriate visa at a Brazilian consulate.

Background: The government announced in January that visas would be temporarily lifted for the four countries to promote tourism before and during the Olympic Games. Eligible nationals will not need to apply for a visitor visa at a consulate and will instead have their passports stamped upon arrival. Individuals competing in the Olympics are not eligible for the visa waiver.

BAL Analysis: Travelers are reminded that the visa exemption should only be used by individuals who are traveling to Brazil for tourist purposes, not for business or other activities, and that it is valid for the period stamped in their passport and cannot be renewed.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in Brazil. For additional information, please contact brazil@balglobal.com.

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Founded in 1980, Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) provides comprehensive global immigration services from seven offices across the U.S. and from offices in Geneva, London, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. BAL manages global visa matters and customized application approaches for work permits, business visas, and residence permits in more than 100 countries. With a single cost center for worldwide operations, BAL offers centralized management with regional and local support for the complete spectrum of global immigration matters.