Brazil Extends Ban on Foreigners’ Entry for Another 30 Days

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – For the next thirty days, the government has restricted the entry into Brazil, by land, sea or air, of foreigners of any nationality; however, there are exceptions. The announcement was made in an extra edition of the Federal Gazette, on Tuesday night, June 30th, and extends the restrictive measures in force since late March.

According to the text, the government made the decision based on advice by the National Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). The measure may be further extended, if so indicated by the health agency. The restrictions are due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has already killed almost 60,000 people in the country.

The ordinance, signed by the Presidential Chief of Staff Braga Netto, Minister of Justice André Mendonça, Minister of Infrastructure Tarcísio de Freitas, and Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello, lists several exceptions to the ban, such as foreigners who have “a visitor visa granted for a short stay, with no intention of establishing residence,” or those for whom the visa was waived “for the purpose of performing artistic, sports or business activities”.

The rule will also not apply to naturalized Brazilians, immigrants with permanent residence, passengers in international transit (if they do not leave the international area of the airport) or to foreign spouses, children, parents or partners of Brazilians or permanent residents.

The text also provides that “cross-border traffic of residents in twinned cities is not prohibited, upon submission of a border resident’s document or other supporting document.” But in a separate paragraph, it stresses that the permission will not apply to towns straddling the border with Venezuela.