TORONTO – Brazil’s visa waiver plan is now in effect, exempting travellers from Canada, the U.S., Australia and Japan from visa requirements.

Effective as of June 1, the waiver program is expected to attract more than the originally planned number of tourists – from 300,000 to 500,000 people – during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

According to the Joint Ordinance No. 216, published in December 2015, citizens of these four countries are guaranteed visa free entry between June 1 and Sept. 18, with a limited stay of 90 days from the date of first entry in the country. The exemption is directed towards international visitors who come to Brazil exclusively for tourism purposes. Visitors do not need to prove they have tickets to attend any Olympics event.

Embratur, the Brazilian Tourism Board, recently welcomed 11 members of the Canadian travel trade in early May to learn about the preparations for the Olympic Games. Major Canadian tour operators had the opportunity to participate in a professional development travel tour program and met with the Discover Brazil Committee in Rio de Janeiro.

“Embratur has made a strong effort to share the news about the visa waiver measure, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in these four countries. We believe in consistent returns,” said José Antonio Parente, Embratur’s interim president.