[ 2014-02-06 ]

Madam Irene Vida Gala

No World Cup ticket, No visa - Brazilian Ambassador
With less than four months to go for the 2014
World Cup in Brazil, football fans have begun
their preparations towards the big event.

While Brazil is ready to welcome the football
world to its country with open hands, the message
has also been drummed home around the world: No
World Cup tickets, no entry visas!

Irrespective of all the preparations football fans
make towards this trip, considered as ‘ a
pilgrimage to world football’s Mecca’, one
cannot be granted a visa if tickets to matches
have not been purchased.

Not only will visa applicants be required to
provide proof of the purchased tickets (the
confirmation slips issued online), they will also
be required to provide confirmation slips of their
air tickets and accommodation bookings to qualify
for the free visas to be issued during the World
Cup period.

The Brazil Ambasador to Ghana, Madam Irene Vida
Gala, in an exclusive interview with the Daily
Graphic yesterday, stressed that while her outfit
was anticipating a huge application for visas for
the World Cup from particularly Ghanaians, the
decision which was applicable at Brazil’s
embassies and consulates everywhere would be to
issue visas for free to those who have purchased
match tickets from football’s world governing
body, FIFA, online.

“ It is a requirement because we want to be sure
people are actually going to watch the games and
the tickets are sold online only by FIFA. Neither
the tour operators nor the Ghana Football
Association (G.FA) are selling the tickets. It can
only be purchased online at the FIFA website and
no blank confirmation slips will be accepted,”
Madam Gala stressed.

She said apart from the match tickets, it was also
necessary to request for the air tickets and
accommodation bookings because it was not worth it
issuing free visas which would not be used and
also prevent inconveniences for those who will go
without prior accommodation bookings.

“ We don’t want anyone to go and be stranded
in Brazil.Things are not that simple and it is
important that we are assured that those applying
are ready for the cost involved,” Madam Gala
emphasised.

The ambassador who was excited about the impending
event, said the added - bonus for those who had
purchased the World Cup tickets would be to
acquire also for free,visas for their spouses and
children.

“The World Cup is also a big family event and we
want to encourage families times out, so once
there is proof that one spouse has purchased the
tickets, and with the air tickets and
accommodation bookings, the spouse and children
who intend to go on the trip will be issued with
free visas.” she explained.

The other category of people who will be issued
with free visas and who will not need to show
proof of World Cup ticket purchased are those who
have official accreditation from FIFA, in this
case, media men and others who have specific roles
to play. This, however, is also subject to
confirmation from the football world governing
body.

“At this point, we will not be giving any
special dispensation to anyone if they do not meet
the stated requirements.Apart from the President
of a participating country who wil not need a
ticket to be at the stadium for a match, everyone
will be required to attend with a match ticket.

For those who want to go to Brazil at all cost
during the World Cup period but who do not fall
into any of the categories above, all hope is not
lost, they can also apply for the tourist visa but
will have to show proof of financial ability to
take care of oneself in Brazil in addition to
presenting the confirmation slip for air ticket
and accommodation bookings as well as pay the fee
for the visa.

Source - Daily Graphic

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