COVID-19 Information

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Last updated: 12/14/2020

Country-Specific Information:

  • Brazil continues to experience high daily case numbers of COVID-19 with varying degrees of incidence throughout the country.  Brazil remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel) due to COVID-19.  Grocery stores are currently well-stocked and services are expected to continue to increase.  U.S.-Brazil commercial flight routes continue to run and frequency of flights has recently increased.
  • The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? YES
    • Effective December 11, Brazil extended the restrictions on entry of foreigners by land (unless for transit) and sea, through at least December 18.  The entry of foreign visitors traveling by air for a short stay of up to 90 days is currently permitted. 
    • 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.
    • Foreigners who are in a land border country and need to cross the border to embark on 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 Embassy or consulate 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 upon crossing the land border.
    • Those in the following categories are exempt from the provisions in this decree:
      • 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 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
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? NO
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? YES
  • Information regarding visa extensions for residents and/or tourists:
    • Effective November 3, 2020, the government of Brazil has suspended the March 16, 2020 regulations that automatically extended the length of stay for permanent residents and legal visitors in Brazil during the COVID-19 crisis.  Please note that a tourist visa (electronic or paper) is not required for U.S. citizens to travel to Brazil for the purposes of tourism, business, transit, and artistic and athletic activities, for stays of up to 90 days. According to the new decree, the period between March 16, 2020 and November 3, 2020 will be disregarded when assessing whether a visitor’s stay exceeded the allowable length.
    • Regarding the Brazilian immigration process, immigration documents that expired after March 16, 2020 will be accepted if the immigrant has remained in Brazil and seeks regularization before March 16, 2021.
    • For up to date information on Brazilian immigration and visa issues, please contact the Brazilian federal police.

Movement Restrictions:

  • Is a curfew in place? NO 
    • There is no national curfew in place.  However some local jurisdictions have and may enact movement restrictions.  U.S. citizens should adhere to local laws and regulations at all times, including COVID-19 related restriction orders. 
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? NO 

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? NO 
    • The Brazilian government recommends those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to self-quarantine for 15 days.   

COVID-19 Testing:

  • Brazil is a very large country with varying medical resources, both private and public, throughout the country.  In the private healthcare system, there are many private labs that perform COVID-19 testing.  Prices vary but COVID-19 tests typically run between $60 and $100.  Both PCR and serology tests are available.  Turn-around time varies with demand, but usually is around one to three days.  Laboratory work generally requires a doctor’s order.  
  • In the public healthcare system, each Brazilian state has its own COVID-19 testing plan so it is best to contact local/state authorities for more information.  Typically, a COVID-19 test is ordered by an Emergency Room physician and then sent to a public lab.  Turnaround time is much slower (can take up to seven days) but typically free.  Some states do free-of-charge drive through testing but this tends to be arranged ahead of time via appointment.  There is also information on testing sites and procedures available through the official app of the Ministry of Health.  

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating? YES 
  • Is public transportation operating? YES 
    • Some state and local governments may limit public transportation and its frequency depending on local conditions. 
    • Several state and local governments across Brazil have issued decrees that require the use of facial coverings (masks) to combat the spread of COVID-19.  U.S. citizens should adhere to local laws and regulations at all times, including COVID-19 related mask policies.  

Fines for Non-Compliance:

  • Several state and local governments across Brazil have issued decrees that require the use of facial coverings (masks) to combat the spread of COVID-19.  Failure to do so could result in fines or possible arrest.  U.S. citizens should adhere to local laws and regulations at all times, including COVID-19 related mask policies. 

Consular Operations:

  • American Citizen Services: In response to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, at this time only emergency American Citizen Services are available at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia and Consulates General in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, and Recife, as well as the Consular Agencies in Manaus, Salvador, and Fortaleza. To schedule an emergency appointment for time sensitive or urgent cases, email the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (see contact information below).  Note that U.S. Consular Agencies do not issue same-day emergency passports. The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas: The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil have suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments.  We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.  For information about visa services at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, please visit usembassy.gov.  The MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.  If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-br/niv,  

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By | 28 March, 2020 | Topics: Alert, Health Issues, Security & Emergency Messages, U.S. Citizen Services | Tags:

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