The European Commission’s eighth Visa Suspension Mechanism (VSM) report, released 19 December, singled out Brazil for “moderate risk” status amid rising asylum claims by Brazilians in Spain and Portugal and sluggish progress on readmission agreements. While Brussels praised Brazil’s new digital criminal-record certificates and tighter passport controls, it warned that visa-free travel could be suspended if remedial steps are not taken.
Key recommendations include submitting an action plan by March 2026 detailing how Brasília will curb irregular overstays and connect its API/PNR data feeds to EU databases. Although an actual suspension is considered unlikely, EU consulates are expected to increase document checks and question business travellers more aggressively.
![EU puts Brazil on notice in visa-free compliance report, demands action plan by March 2026]()
For multinational employers the report is a wake-up call: refusal rates for Brazilian short-term business visas (Schengen C) could edge higher next year, inflating lead times and travel-planning complexity. Companies are advised to track Schengen entry stamps, ensure employees carry invitation letters and prepare for possible pilot schemes requiring pre-travel ETIAS approval sooner than scheduled.
Brazil’s National Immigration Council meets in January to map out compliance measures, including closer cooperation with Europol and public-information campaigns discouraging unfounded asylum applications.
Key recommendations include submitting an action plan by March 2026 detailing how Brasília will curb irregular overstays and connect its API/PNR data feeds to EU databases. Although an actual suspension is considered unlikely, EU consulates are expected to increase document checks and question business travellers more aggressively.
For multinational employers the report is a wake-up call: refusal rates for Brazilian short-term business visas (Schengen C) could edge higher next year, inflating lead times and travel-planning complexity. Companies are advised to track Schengen entry stamps, ensure employees carry invitation letters and prepare for possible pilot schemes requiring pre-travel ETIAS approval sooner than scheduled.
Brazil’s National Immigration Council meets in January to map out compliance measures, including closer cooperation with Europol and public-information campaigns discouraging unfounded asylum applications.
Source: VisaHQ Global Mobility News
