Travel to Brazil via Brasília, the federal capital, along with other cities throughout the country is on its way to becoming even easier and safer for Brazilian and international travelers alike.
At the end of July, the installation of electronic gates at Brasília’s International Airport (Juscelino Kubitschek) for reading e-passports began, so visitors will no longer have to endure the routine clearance process when going through immigration. The new system will significantly help to shorten lines and expedite the process of entering the country.
The electronic gate system, which has been successful in Portugal, the United Kingdom and Australia, has proven to be quite effective. Passengers must first present their e-passports to an electronic reader, which conducts a quick personal data enquiry and then validates the information stored in the chip.
Next, the equipment compares the e-passport photograph with the passenger’s face, using a facial biometrics analysis. After checking and confirming the passenger’s identity, the gate opens automatically. An immigration official is also available at the gate, should there be an error with the system or incorrect information.
This electronic system, which will initially be used for the Brasília-Lisbon (Portugal) route, is still in the testing phase.
In this first stage, electronic gates will only be available for Brazilian and Portuguese nationals with diplomatic or official e-passports. Other travelers from countries that have signed international immigration agreements with Brazil are expected to be able to use the system by the end of 2011. The Brazilian Government estimates that all residents will have e-passports by 2014.
If the process succeeds during the testing phase, it will be included in security procedures at all major Brazilian airports during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.
This will be an important procedure in speeding up the entry of tourists coming to Brazil for these events during this time. Roughly 600,000 visitors are expected during the 2014 World Cup and another 380,000 visitors for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Visit www.braziltour.com.