São Paulo – Not only did the new coronavirus pandemic usher in stricter health protocols, it has also made for tighter national borders. Brazil restricted entry of non-nationals to contain the spread of Covid-19 in a ruling published in the Federal Gazette on May 22 and extended on June 20. On June 30, a new ruling came out with provisions allowing exceptions.
Inter-Ministerial Ruling 340/2020 was signed by ministers André Mendonça of Justice and Public Safety and Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas of Infrastructure; as well as interim Health minister Eduardo Pazuello and chief of staff Braga Netto. Foreigners are allowed to fly into the country to engage in artistic, sporting or business activities, provided that they do not stay long nor intend to take up residence. As of the closing of this story, the Ministry of Justice would not inform ANBA about what is the longest stay allowed.
Exception is also made to foreigners with temporary visas for purposes of research, studies including academic extension courses, work, investment, family reunions, or sporting or artistic activities. When it comes to professional activities, the Ministry of Justice told ANBA that applicants must produce contracts with a set duration.
Temporary visas for family reunion purposes expire in one year’s time. These temporary residence visas are governed by Inter-Ministerial Ruling 12 of June 14, 2018, available on the government’s Immigration Portal. Temp visa applications must be submitted to the relevant consular authority alongside proof of kinship. Immigrants with temporary visas are required to register with the Federal Police within 90 days of arriving in Brazil.
Foreigners are only allowed to enter Brazil by air, via the international airports of Guarulhos, in São Paulo; Galeão, in Rio de Janeiro; Viracopos, in Campinas; and Juscelino Kubitschek, in Brasília (pictured). The Ministry of Justice also said travelers are required to provide Covid-19 symptom-free attestation from a local physician or health authority.
Exceptions in place since the May 22 ruling and maintained in the June 20 and 30 rulings include entry of Brazilian citizens, born or naturalized; of immigrants with definitive resident status in Brazil; and of foreign professionals working for international organizations. Exceptions formerly in place also include foreign spouses, companions, offspring, parents or guardians; persons authorized by the Brazilian government on the basis of public interests or humanitarian reasons; or National Migrant Registration bearers.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum