Brazil – COVID-19: While Travel Restrictions Get Extended, Some Flexibility
Brazil–Travel Restrictions Extended, Some Flexibility
The Brazilian authorities are extending the restrictions on foreign nationals entering in Brazil for 30 more days. The extended restrictions will last until August 29. However, demonstrating some flexibility around the rules, foreign nationals with a granted Brazilian entry visa (i.e., work visa, student visa, etc.) can now enter Brazilian territory with no further restrictions since they fly into and arrive at determined locations. And, in limited circumstances, the Federal Police is accepting some urgent requests for visa registrations/application processing.
On July 29, the Brazilian authorities published a note in the country’s Official Gazette extending the restriction on foreign nationals entering Brazil for 30 more days.1 The extended restriction will last until August 29.
However, there is some flexibility as far as the rules go, and some exemptions are allowed, for example, the entry of foreign nationals who come for tourism purposes and short stays (90 days maximum). The traveler must present proof of medical insurance that covers the intended period of stay in Brazil.
Moreover, foreign nationals with a granted Brazilian entry visa (i.e., work visa, student visa, etc.) can now enter Brazilian territory with no further restrictions since they fly into and arrive at determined locations (see More Details section below).
By experience, we have noticed that the Federal Police is accepting some urgent requests for visa registrations 2 and they are including more time slots on their website for new applications, as part of a plan to gradually reassume their usual timeframes and activities.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Efforts to introduce greater flexibility regarding travel and visa/registration services demonstrate initial steps toward a re-opening of Brazil’s borders. Such evidence of flexibility will help benefit those companies that intend to get their international assignments or business travelers who may need to enter in Brazil back on track.
More Details
Entering through Specific Airports
No international flights are permitted into airports located in the following Brazilian states: Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraíba, Rondônia, Rio Grande do Sul, and Tocantins during this restriction.
Federal Police
Depending on the progression of the coronavirus in some cities in Brazil and the sanitary/health protocols of each jurisdiction, some specific Federal Police units might remain closed or attend only to urgent cases.
KPMG NOTE
Travelers seeking to enter Brazil should regularly check the latest information made available by the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate about entry and exit from the country and the restoration of passport and visa services.
The KPMG International member firm in Brazil continues to monitor the situation around travel and border restrictions and will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert apprised of any new developments.
FOOTNOTES
1 See the Brazilian government announcement of July 29, Portaria N° 01/2020 (in Portuguese) as published in the Diário Oficial da União, 29/07/2020, Edição: 144-A. For prior coverage of travel restrictions, see the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2020-312 (July 10, 2020), 2020-284 (June 17, 2020) and 2020-119 (March 26, 2020).
2 See (in Portuguese) the Federal Police news
* 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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