Eastbay1K

Story

rrgg

It says no date is set for a vote on the bill. Anyone have guesses as to when is a likely date? (Will this happen prior to Carnaval?) I'm not familiar with how Congress works. Thank you.

Gaucho100K

Good move... ^ I hope this gets passes, it will bring more tourism to not only Brazil but also the entire South American region.

3544quebec

With 8 Brasilian visas in my Australian passport (at a total cost of about $US400) I'd love it to happen but I've been reading reports on this in the Brasilian press for the last 2 years.

Passing a commitee is astep in the right direction but who knows what the timeline will be on this.

The tourism industry and Tourism Ministry are supportive but the Mihistry responsible for external affairs seems to want to maintain the reciprocity system. Maybe it gets to pocket all the visa fees!

Jaimito Cartero

I certainly hope it passes. Or if not, then at least a 5 year visa requirement for the $150 or so I end up shelling out for a Brazilian visa, and then only getting a 90 day entry!

Eastbay1K

Then they should do something like Chile. Ok, stick it to every one that sticks it to them, but don't make it into a hassle. Just pay $100 upon arrival, and it is good for the life of your passport (whether you have 6 months left on it, or 10 years left). The ordeal of getting the visa (2 trips to the consul, or paying a service) plus the "90 day or 5 year lotto", plus needing to go within a short time after getting the visa, when you combine them all probably has a fair chilling effect. Making you simply pay $100 when you land, while annoying, keeps most of their revenue stream

3544quebec

Good for the life of your passport if you are lucky enough to be from the USA.If you are from Oz the Chilean reciprocity fee is only valid for 90 days.

Maybe if the fee was collected at the airport it would disappear into the coffers of the Policia Federal and the Ministry wouldn't see any of the money.

I do agree with you though - the hassle of passport photos, return tickets and 2 visits to the consulate would be nice to avoid.

david7021

I was one of the fortunate ones who got a 5 yr visas just before things changed. I think mine runs out in less than 2 yrs. Hope they change things before then. It is difficult for me to believe, however that the Brazilian Gov't will change anything unless the US changes its policy toward our Brazilian neighbors first. Seems like they (Brazilian Gov't) mirror our policy changes on this issue.

rrgg

No. Brazil initiated the fee, not the US. Brazil also initiated increases at least through 2002. See also:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...6&postcount=12
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=44

Viajero

Because Oz wil not grant 10 year visas but the US will. Reciprocity in action.

3544quebec

I realise the reasoning behind it but I'll still complain

I wonder if the bean counters actually sit down and work out the cost benefit of something like this though. I go to South America 3 times a year. I usually fly LAN and pass through Santiago. In the past 5 years I have spent 1 night in Chile. I avoid Chile because of the $US70 that is charged on entry. Chile loses maybe a couple of thousand dollars spending a year just from me.

Argentina (which also could charge Australians a reciprocity fee but doesn't) is always on my stopover list and I spend a few days in Buenos Aires if I'm passing through.

I think (but could be wrong) that far more Australians would be passing through Santiago on the way to another South American country than Chileans would be passing through Sydney on the way to another country. If a significant number of those Australians don't stay in Chile when they otherwise may have stayed for a few days the charging of the fee becomes counter-productive (at least financially)

I remember the one time I did stay in Santiago for a night in the last few years there was an Australian family 2 adults and 3 children who were staying in Chile for 1 night and were not too happy that they had to pay $US350 for the family to enter Chile. At least everyone going to Australia knows up front that they require a visa and what it costs - no nasty surprises at Sydney airport.

Viajero

Then you are avoiding Chile for the wrong reason, because it is not USD70, and the family of 5 you met a few years ago could not possibiliy have paid USD350. I suggest you recheck your information.

3544quebec

Well my information comes from being an Australian and paying it about a year ago. If you know it to have changed in the last 12 months it might be more helpful if you actualy posted the new charge.

The website of the Chilean consulate in Sydney quotes $US30, the Chilean Embassy in Canberra $US56 -I'm not sure whether that is up to date. Nevertheless it doesn't alter the arguement.

3544quebec

From the SCL airport website-

IMPUESTO DE RECIPROCIDAD
Todos aquellos pasajeros con pasaporte proveniente de Australia, Canad�, Estados Unidos y M�xico deber�n pagar un impuesto de reciprocidad antes de realizar su ingreso por Polic�a Internacional.


PA�S

VALOR
Australia
US$ 56
Canad�
US$ 132
Estados Unidos
US$ 100
M�xico
US$ 15

My apologies for exagerating my costs by $14 and the family only had to pay $US280 for their right to enter Chile for 1night -I'm sure that made them feel much happier

IAN-UK

.. and I guess with just a little gumption they could know up front about the requirement in Chile.