Health Alert: August 27, 2020
Location: Brazil
Event: Extension of Brazil Travel Restrictions on Land and Sea Borders
Effective August 26, Brazil extended the restrictions on entry of foreigners by land (unless for transit) and sea, through at least September 24. The entry of foreign visitors traveling by air is currently permitted.
The August 26 decree changes previous requirements and now stipulates that foreign travelers entering Brazil by air, for a short stay of up to 90 days, must present proof of purchase of health insurance, in English or Portuguese, that is valid in Brazil for the entire period of the trip with minimum coverage of 30,000 Brazilian reais to an airline agent prior to boarding. Failure to provide this could result in the denial of entry by Brazilian authorities.
Commercial flights between the United States and Brazil continue to operate on a regular basis and have been increasing in frequency. As flights are subject to change, please contact airlines directly for the most current schedule information. While Brazil has opened its border to visitors traveling by air, U.S. citizens considering international travel should be aware that Brazil remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel) and continues to experience high daily case numbers of COVID-19. The U.S. Mission in Brazil continues to encourage U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States to make commercial flight arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
Foreigners who are in a land border country and need to cross the border to take a flight back to their country of residence may enter Brazil with authorization from the Federal Police and must follow the below steps:
- The foreigner must obtain an official note from the embassy or consulate of the country of citizenship (U.S. citizens should reach out to the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for assistance)
- When crossing the border, the air tickets for the flight to the home country must be presented to the immigration official; and
- After approval of the request, the foreigner must go directly to the airport after crossing the land border.
Those in the following categories are exempt from the provisions in this decree:
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- Brazilian citizens, born or naturalized
- Permanent residents of Brazil
- National Immigration Registry Card Holders (Registro Nacional Migratório – RNM)
- Foreign professionals employed by a non-governmental aid organization recognized by the Brazilian government
- Foreign officials, such as diplomats, accredited by the Brazilian government
- Spouse, domestic partner, son or daughter, father or mother, or caregiver of a Brazilian citizen
- Any person whose entrance into Brazil is deemed by the government to be in the public interest
- Travelers in transit in one of the following categories:
- Cargo delivery
- Passengers required to disembark for aircraft refueling or repairs
- Flight crews
Actions to Take:
- Review the entire August 26 Brazilian government announcement (in Portuguese).
- See the State Department’s Level 4 Travel Advisory for Brazil
- If you have questions, visit the U.S. Embassy website on COVID-19 or contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General closest to you.
- Follow the U.S. Mission to Brazil on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and Messages from the U.S. Embassy.
