President Obama was in Orlando this week, and while many may be waiting for the State of the Union Address, many of us here in South Florida already have Big News from the White House as the President revealed his plan to provide big incentives for foreigners to visit the United States.

Especially for foreigners in Brazil to visit Florida. 

We've been monitoring the growing interest of Brazil in Florida investment for a while now, including the problem of current visa laws on allowing Brazilians with money to spend in our economy being stymied by the long wait imposed by both the State Department and Homeland Security for visitors to get their non-immigrant visa processed. 

Right now, it can take months for Brazilians to get visas allowing them to enter Florida.  The President promised that this would change for the better this week.

Specifically, the procedures are being changed so some folk can get their interview requirements waived (they have to be really low-risk) and the process is being overhauled so Brazilians can get their interviews done within 3 weeks after their non-immigrant visa application has been accepted. 

You can read the full text of President Obama's speech here.  It includes details on his Executive Order that will impliment this visa application changes, and a pretty funny joke about the size of the President's ears. 

If you want to really get all the details, the Executive Order Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness is also available for download online.

Why is this such a Big Deal for South Florida?

Florida needs the infusion of foreign investment - from tourist dollars to foreign investment in real estate - in order to dig itself out of this bad economic mess.  Brazil, in particular, has found Florida and especially Miami and South Florida to be very desirable for investment.

Brazilians have been flocking to the Miami area in the past few years to take advantage of our lower prices and our marketplace, where their Brazil Reals can buy so much more here than they can at home. 

Now, with the Visa Hurdle lifted, Brazilians should be coming here more often (good for them) and investing in our community (good for us).