The objective is to de-bureaucratize visa concessions and to increase the flow of foreign tourists into the Country

The Committee on Tourism and Sports approved the Bill 3059/08 this Wednesday (12) that authorized the emission of tourist visas to foreigners via the internet. The possibility is not in the Foreigner Statute (Law 6.815/80). The proposal was approved in substitutive form and was presented by rapporteur, Deputy Marcelo Teixeira (PMDB-CE).

Documents
According to the approved text, the electronic visa form must be filled out up to at least 15 days before the date of travel to Brazil. The form is available on the responsible institution’s internet page (Ministry of Foreign Relations)

The documents required within the form will have to be presented by electronic means, with the requirement of proof only if Brazilian authorities demand such. The original text of the PL 3059 demanded that all data sent by internet was brought to Brazil as means of proof. The rapporteur decided to withdraw this demand because “it would go against the objective of making it easier to obtain a visa”.

The electronic visa or the visa obtained at the embassy will only be valid once the fees charged by the Brazilian government are paid.

Government Analysis
For the proposal, the government must analyze the visa requests in up to eight days in order to allow time for receipt of the form. In case of an urgent trip, the foreigner may ask the government for the Rites of Samarian Concession, to be defined in regulation with Executive Branch.

The approval of the visa must be communicated to the traveler at least seven days before leaving for Brazil. If the deadlines are not obeyed, those responsible for the delay will be held responsible under the laws 8.112/90 (Unique Legal Regime for public civil servants of the Union) and 9.784 (that regulates the administrative federal process).

The substitution still establishes that a foreigner that supplies false information during the visa request process can suffer foreseen sanctions under the Foreigner’s Statute such as a fine, prison and even deportation.

Procedure
The project is completed and will be reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship

Reporting- Janary Júnior
Editing- Regina Céli Assumpção
Translation - Grupo Solucion-SP Language/Patrick Richard Swan