Brazil – COVID-19: Travel Restrictions Extension, Limited Resumption of Visa Services

Brazil–Tvl Restrictions Ext, Resuming Some Visa Svcs

With travel restrictions on foreigners entering Brazil extended until June 22, Brazil’s immigration authorities are resuming visa processing services, including approving work visas for certain purposes and pending visa renewals for applicants already in Brazil.

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Although Brazil’s government has imposed travel restrictions for certain individuals coming to Brazil to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country, it is now planning on resuming some visa services.

The authorities on May 22 extended the restriction on foreigners entering the country until June 22.1  

Then on 4 June 4, Brazil’s immigration authorities published an information note2 on approving work visa applications in cases of public interest or for humanitarian reasons.

They also aim to start approving and publishing visa renewals and work visas that were submitted through the Ministry of Justice’s platform, for applicants already in Brazil with a business visa waiting for their work visa approval.  Furthermore, registration will be based on existing health-care protocols and according to the local procedures of each Federal Police unit.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Several assignments to/from Brazil might be affected by these extended travel restrictions and measures. For organizations with globally mobile employees, their options remain limited for normal cross-border working arrangements. 

Businesses should be aware that work visa renewals and approvals processing will be resuming.  This is a welcome development that signals a return to some semblance of normalcy and assignment/business travel planning opportunities for companies.

United States

On May 24, 2020, the U.S. administration issued a decree imposing a travel suspension for individuals who have been to Brazil within the 14 days preceding their intended entry into the United States, with some limited exceptions. The decision mentions the ongoing widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil as the reason for introducing the travel restriction. This measure came into effect on May 26, 2020, and will remain valid until further review by the U.S. President, Donald Trump.  (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-251 (27 May 2020).)

KPMG NOTE

While most of Brazil’s cities have quarantine policies in place, instead of a lockdown, the government is continually analyzing the situation with a view to relaxing isolation measures.  In São Paulo State and Rio de Janeiro State, for example, the authorities have just recently authorized some cities to re-open their local shops and shopping malls. 

FOOTNOTES

1  See the May 22 Brazilian government announcement, Portaria Nº 255 (in Portuguese) as published in the Diário Oficial da União, 22/05/2020, Edição:  97-C.  For prior coverage of travel restrictions, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-119, March 26, 2020.

2  Information Note n. 2/2020 (in Portuguese) Nota Informative: Entrada excepcional e permanência de imigrantes em território nacional, June 4.

*  Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services.  However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.   

 

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Brazil.

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