Originally Posted by TravellingChris

Why does the Lula government keep extending the deadline? Is it because the visa requirement is going to be disastrous for tourism to Brazil, from countries that are among the main source of revenue-generating visitors to the country? The government's own projections almost certainly show this.

The issue isn't a visa requirement per se. I don't think most people would have a problem if it were something akin to a simple tourist tax paid upon arrival or just prior. The problem is that few Americans, Canadians or Australians want to submit anything as invasive as their banking information to a foreign government simply to enjoy two weeks in, say, Rio. (The bank statement requirement makes zero sense given that Americans, Canadians and Australian tourists, according to the Brazilian government's own data, are highly unlikely to seek paid work in Brazil, claim government benefits or demand asylum in the country.) Even the upcoming e-authorizations for the UK and Schengen--to which Americans, Canadians and Australians will eventually be subject--will be far less invasive and less hassle than the planned Brazilian requirement.