The Brazilian authorities published a new note (or “ordinance”) in the country’s official gazette on May 14, 2021, updating the travel restrictions for foreign nationals arriving in Brazil.1 The new SARS-CoV-2 variant in India, and the current high number of infections in the country, led to an update regarding travel restrictions such that all flights from Indian territory entering Brazil are prohibited.
Moreover, the latest ordinance continues to require that foreign nationals and Brazilian nationals entering the country have a negative RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and a health declaration to be filled in according to the model provided by the Brazilian health authorities. Both documents must be issued up to 72 hours before the flight date and presented before boarding.
The same type of restriction has already been applied to travelers from the United Kingdom and South Africa.2 A 14-day quarantine period must be observed by all individuals who recently arrived from these countries.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The travel restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a profound impact on both professional and personal travel. Companies worldwide have had to cancel or postpone business trips and assignments, taking account of the updates to Brazil’s travel ban list.
The new ordinance affects all travelers planning to fly to Brazil from India and continues to impose travel restrictions on all flights from the United Kingdom and South Africa.
More Details
In addition to the latest flight restrictions from the above-mentioned countries, arrivals via land or ports in Brazil continue to only be allowed for certain authorized groups, such as:
- Brazilian nationals;
- Foreigners with valid Brazilian ID cards;
- Cargo transportation workers.
Also, the updated ordinance continues to indicate the possibility that the Brazilian authorities could restrict travelers not complying with the adopted measures, forcing them to leave Brazilian territory.
KPMG NOTE
The authorities are constantly updating the rules in response to the changing pandemic situation. Travelers seeking to enter Brazil should regularly check the latest information made available by the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate about entry into 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 May 14, Portaria N° 653/2021 (in Portuguese) as published in the Diário Oficial da União, 14/05/2021, Edição: 90-B.
2 For prior coverage of travel restrictions, see the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2021-094 (March 25, 2021), 2021-047 (February 5, 2021), 2021-025 (January 15, 2021), 2021-007 (January 5, 2021), 2020-501 (December 22, 2020), 2020-469 (November 25, 2020), 2020-425 (October 9, 2020), 2020-417 (October 1, 2020), 2020-389 (September 4, 2020), 2020-348 (August 7, 2020), 2020-312 (July 10, 2020), 2020-284 (June 17, 2020), and 2020-119 (March 26, 2020).
* 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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