United States – Travel from Brazil Suspended Starting May 26 Due to COVID-19
US – Travel from Brazil Suspended Starting May 26
On May 24, 2020, the U.S. administration issued a proclamation 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 proclamation cites ongoing widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil as justification for introducing the travel suspension. This suspension goes into effect on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 11:59pm EDT.
On May 24, 2020, the U.S. administration issued a proclamation 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 proclamation cites ongoing widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil as justification for introducing the travel suspension. This suspension goes into effect on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 11:59pm EDT, and will remain in effect until terminated by President Trump.
WHY THIS MATTERS
As the U.S. government continues to evaluate its strategy to contain and address the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation surrounding inbound travel to the United States continues to be fluid and highly discretionary.
The newly-introduced travel suspension for Brazil will have considerable impact on U.S.-Brazil globally-mobile employees and their multinational employers, and could delay, if not prevent, cross-border transfers of such employees covered under the scope of the new rules. Thus, it is imperative that employers establish that their employees can continue to travel to the U.S., and plan for any travel delays or cancellations for employees impacted by the travel suspension for Brazil. This travel suspension will also affect employees who have planned to travel and renew their visas abroad at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Brazil.
In light of the evolving travel restrictions, it is further important for U.S. non-immigrant visa holders to re-evaluate the necessity of their international trips, even to countries not currently impacted by a travel ban. Individuals may be unable to re-enter the United States should the administration unexpectedly adopt additional measures to its travel suspension policies. Given the fluidity of the circumstances, it may be prudent to remain in the U.S. and avoid international travel where possible.
Background
The United States introduced a travel suspension from Brazil to the U.S. on May 24, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.1 In the issued proclamation, the Trump administration cites ongoing widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil as the reasoning behind the travel suspension. Specifically, it states that as of May 23, 2020, the World Health Organization reported that Brazil had 310,087 confirmed cases, the third highest number of confirmed cases in the world behind the United States and Russia.2
The travel suspension for Brazil bars entry into the U.S. for any travelers who have been physically present in the Federative Republic of Brazil within the 14 days preceding their intended entry into the United States. This travel suspension adds to the existing U.S. travel restrictions in place for the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land borders3, as well as the travel suspension for those who have been physically present in the European Union’s Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, People’s Republic of China, or Iran within the 14 days prior to their intended U.S. entry.4
Mirroring the list of excepted travelers from the other travel suspensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, spouses, children, siblings, parents of U.S. citizens and legal residents, government employees, crew-members, members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their relatives, along with foreign government representatives will not be subject to the suspension. The flow of commerce between the U.S. and Brazil will also not be impacted by the travel suspension.
The proclamation suspending travel from Brazil is scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 11:59pm EDT, and will remain in effect until terminated by President Trump. Further, it does not apply to those aboard flights scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 26, 2020.
KPMG NOTE
Our office is tracking these matters closely. We will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert posted on any important developments as and when they occur.
In circumstances where international travel is unavoidable, we strongly advise that travelers closely monitor the measures in place restricting inbound travel to their destination country and to the United States, in order to help ensure that there are no disruptions in the traveler’s plans or their subsequent ability to return to the United States.5
FOOTNOTES
1 To review the Presidential Proclamation issued on May 24, 2020. See this Factsheet on the website of the Embassy of the United States in Brazil for additional details on the Presidential Proclamation.
2 To see the World Health Organization’s report on confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, click here.
3 For information on the land border restrictions between the United States, Canada, and Mexico due to the COVID-19 pandemic, read our previous GMS Flash Alert 2020-240 (May 21, 2020).
4 For information on the travel restriction from European countries to the United States, read the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2020-059 (March 15, 2020) and 2020-055 (March 12, 2020). To review the Presidential Proclamation issued on March 11, 2020, restricting entry of travelers from the European Union’s Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, People’s Republic of China, and Iran.
5 In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, various countries internationally have imposed their own inbound travel restrictions. For more information on the inbound travel restrictions for U.S. citizens and those traveling from the United States, visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for the relevant destination country. Information on the measures Brazil has taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including information on inbound travel restrictions, can be found on the webpage of the Embassy of the United States in Brazil.
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* 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 Canada.
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