Australians face major travel disruption in South America

Travellers to South America could be stranded after one of the top tourist destinations imposed new visa restrictions on Australians after a bitter political feud.

Brazilian dancer Luiza Brunet dancing through street in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during annual Mardi Gras carnival.

Visitors to South America face major travel disruptions after Brazil imposed tourist visa restrictions on Australians for the first time in four years.

The new visa requirements leave anyone with travel booked later this year at risk of being turned away if permission to enter the Latin American country is not obtained by October 1.

Brazil’s foreign ministry said the visa requirements, which also apply to citizens of the United States, Canada and Japan, reversed a decision by the previous government of Jair Bolsonaro in 2019 aimed at boosting the tourism industry.

“Brazil does not grant unilateral exemption from visiting visas, without reciprocity, to other countries,” the ministry said, according to the Associated Press.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Aerial view of Christ and Botafogo Bay from high angle Supplied image for Herald Sun Out v In 22 May

Bolsonaro was ousted by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a bitter election last year, leading to mass protests and violence breaking out between supporters of the two camps after “Lula” took office on January 1.

“Another revocation by Lula. Less jobs and less stimulus of the hotel sector,” Bolsonaro said on Twitter.

Rio de Janeiro’s annual mardi gras festival is one of the top tourist events of the year.

The new foreign ministry said Bolsonaro’s “unilateral” decision broke with “the pattern of Brazilian migration policy, historically based on the principles of reciprocity and equal treatment”.

The ministry said it was in negotiations with the countries affected about a visa waiver program, but only if one is offered for Brazilians in return.

A diplomatic source told Reuters the 2019 decision to lift visa requirements had weakened Brazil’s ability to negotiate with Australia, the US, Canada and Japan.

Brazilians looking to enter Australia require a visa under the universal visa system, with the Department of Home Affairs recommending no flights or accommodation be booked before a visa is secured.

For Australians travelling to Brazil, it’s unclear what visa type will be offered after October 1. The general rules of Brazil’s Visitor Visas for countries that don’t currently have a waiver allow maximum stays of up to 90 days for tourism and transit.

Under the current visa waiver expiring on October 1, Australians with a valid passport can visit Brazil for up to 90 days with the possibility of extending up to 180 days.

The move was announced in March 17, 2019 ahead of an official visit by then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to visit political ally, former president Donald Trump, in the White House.