US increases visas issued to Brazilians by 62%.
The percentage refers to visas issued in March of this year compared to the same period last year; a total of 115.269 entry permits were granted to the country.
Brazil Agency - Visas granted in March of this year to Brazilians wanting to enter the United States increased by 62% compared to March 2011. The figures were released today (5) by the United States Embassy. In total, visas were granted to 115.269 Brazilians.
The consulate in Rio de Janeiro recorded the largest increase in the number of visas granted in March compared to the previous year, with an increase of 103%, followed by Brasília (69%), São Paulo (52%) and Recife (14%).
From January to March of this year, the American embassy and consulates in Brazil have already granted 56% more visas compared to the same period last year.
In January, U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order to increase visa processing capacity at U.S. consulates in Brazil and China by 40% in 2012, among other measures to boost tourism.
According to data from the United States government, non-immigrant visa applications have increased by 230% in the last five years. In 2010 alone, the Consulate General in São Paulo issued more than 319 visas – more than any other US consular section in the world.