Brazil Opens Public Consultation on First National Migration, Refugee and Statelessness Plan
Government Programme ‘Aqui é Brasil’ Welcomes 68 Deportees Returned from the United States
Belém inaugurates ‘Casa do Trabalhador’ with dedicated immigration desk for foreign nationals
Latest News
Nation-Wide Task-Force Offers Free Portuguese Exams to Refugees and Migrants
On 19 June a consortium of universities ran a free, same-day Portuguese-proficiency exam for 2,400 refugees and migrants in 16 states. The certificate accelerates naturalisation and labour-market access, while corporate sponsors gain tax incentives for supporting integration. The model is expected to expand to interior regions next year.
Police bust extortion ring preying on international passengers at São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport
A police sweep at Guarulhos Airport dismantled an extortion gang targeting newly arrived passengers. The action should improve traveller security but highlights the need for companies to reinforce safe-transport protocols for staff flying into Brazil’s main gateway.
Amazon-Focused Seminar Explores ‘Decolonising Borders’ and Climate-Driven Migration
An intercultural seminar in Belém on 19 June spotlighted climate-induced migration and educational inclusion in the Amazon. Organised by UEPA and UNHCR partners, the event produced draft guidelines urging recognition of foreign school records and deeper consideration of environmental displacement in national policy. Companies with operations in northern Brazil should monitor emerging education-support initiatives.
Federal Police Seize 5.5 Tonnes of Cannabis at Paraná–Argentina Border Crossing
Brazilian Federal Police confiscated 5.5 tonnes of cannabis at the Paraná–Argentina border on 19 June, intensifying inspections under the national anti-smuggling strategy. While targeted at organised crime, the crackdown is causing longer wait times for legitimate cross-border traffic; exporters are advised to review routing and documentation procedures.
Visa waiver sparks 75 % jump in Chinese arrivals as Brazil records historic high
Arrival data released on 18 June show 15,380 Chinese visitors entered Brazil in May 2026, a 75 % year-on-year surge and the highest monthly figure ever recorded. The spike follows Brazil’s unilateral visa-free policy for Chinese citizens introduced on 11 May. The waiver eliminates lengthy visa lead-times, but capacity constraints and 90-day stay limits still apply. The trend is significant for airports, hotels and corporates that depend on Chinese travel flows.
Chinese Visitor Surge Sets New Record One Month After Brazil’s Visa-Free Policy
Federal Police figures show Chinese arrivals jumped 75 % in May—just three weeks after Brazil introduced visa-free entry for Chinese citizens. The boom follows a government roadshow in Shanghai and is fuelling new air routes and Mandarin-friendly upgrades at major airports. For Brazilian businesses, the surge presents immediate opportunities in tourism, retail and investment promotion.
Visa waiver drives 75 % jump in Chinese arrivals to Brazil
Brazil recorded an unprecedented 15,380 Chinese visitors in May 2026, the first full month after Beijing was granted visa-free entry for short stays. The 75 % year-on-year jump signals strong pent-up demand and could inject hundreds of millions of reais into Brazil’s tourism and MICE economy. Companies should brace for higher Chinese travel volumes and keep an eye on whether the waiver is extended beyond its 31 December expiry.
Portugal ends ‘tourist-to-student’ workaround: Brazilians must secure study visa before travel
Legislation approved in Lisbon on 18 June makes a pre-travel study visa mandatory and ends Portugal’s practice of regularising students who entered as tourists. Brazilians—by far the largest group affected—must now apply at Portuguese consulates before departure, extending lead-times and costs for education-related mobility. Existing in-country applicants may benefit from transitional rules.
Portugal Closes ‘Tourist-to-Student’ Loophole, Forcing Brazilians to Secure Study Visas in Advance
Portugal has ended its flexible post-arrival regularisation route: from September, Brazilian and other foreign students must hold a study visa before boarding. The change tightens immigration controls, lengthens lead-times and obliges universities and employers to front-load compliance planning.
EU’s ETIAS countdown: what Brazilian travellers need to know before the October launch
The EU confirmed that its long-awaited ETIAS pre-travel authorisation will start in late 2026. From that point, Brazilians—currently visa-exempt—must secure the €20 online permit before boarding flights to Schengen states. The approval lasts three years, covers trips of up to 90/180 days and will be enforced after a six-month transition. Corporates need to integrate the new step into booking workflows and alert travellers to passport-validity links.
‘Aqui é Brasil’ programme welcomes deported Brazilians on humanitarian charter from USA
Brazilian authorities received another deportation flight from the United States on 18 June under the ‘Aqui é Brasil’ humanitarian programme. The multi-agency response delivers documentation, health care and onward travel to vulnerable returnees, reflecting rising deportation volumes from the US and the need for coordinated reintegration support.
Brazil Coordinates Humanitarian Reception for Deportees on US Charter Flight
MDHC coordinated a humanitarian welcome for a US deportation flight that repatriated dozens of Brazilians on 18 June. Under the ‘Aqui é Brasil’ protocol, returnees receive medical checks, legal guidance and transport home, highlighting the growing compliance risks facing Brazilians whose US status lapses.
Brazil mounts humanitarian reception for deportees on US charter flight
On 18 June a US charter flight with Brazilian deportees arrived in Confins, where the federal ‘Aqui é Brasil’ operation provided shelter, medical screening and onward-travel assistance. The multi-ministry protocol, run with IOM support, aims to protect returnees’ rights and ease reintegration. The episode highlights ongoing US-Brazil coordination on removals and the importance of corporate contingency planning for migrant employees.
41 kg of drugs, fake passports seized at São Paulo-Guarulhos in one-day enforcement blitz
Federal Police officers at Guarulhos airport made five arrests on 18 June, seizing 41 kg of narcotics and catching two travellers with fake or third-party passports. The operation reflects stepped-up border-control measures ahead of Brazil’s peak winter-holiday travel season and signals potential delays for legitimate passengers.
Espírito Santo Funds Researcher Mobility Under ‘Mobility Confap Italy 2026’ Call
Fapes joined the federal Mobility Confap Italy 2026 initiative, offering funding for Espírito Santo-based researchers to conduct projects at top Italian universities. The grants simplify visa sponsorship and encourage corporate R&D teams to leverage academic partnerships in the EU.
Passport suspensions imposed in 9th phase of Operation Compliance Zero
Brazil’s Federal Police, backed by a Supreme Court order, froze passports of suspects during its latest anti-corruption sweep on 18 June. The case highlights how judicial travel bans are becoming a standard risk factor in Brazilian executive mobility planning.
Festuris Gramado 2026 opens free registration, promises AI-centric edition
Registration for Festuris Gramado 2026 went live on 18 June, giving Brazilian travel professionals free access to Latin America’s flagship tourism trade fair (12-15 November). The edition will focus on AI and digital transformation while facilitating B2B meetings worth an estimated R$ 400 million. Early sign-up is advised due to limited hotel capacity in the Serra Gaúcha resort town.
Legal Pitfalls for Brazilian Executives on Overseas Assignment Highlighted in New Advisory
A 18 June _Estado de Minas_ analysis outlines how Brazilian executives posted abroad can inadvertently face double taxation and pension gaps if assignment contracts lack clear jurisdiction, tax-equalisation and repatriation clauses—prompting companies to tighten mobility governance.
PF and Customs seize undeclared foreign goods at Cascavel airport
Customs and Federal Police officers intercepted a suitcase of undeclared imported goods at Cascavel/PR on 18 June, underscoring Brazil’s expanded enforcement beyond major international hubs. Travellers and shippers should expect closer scrutiny and ensure compliance with duty-free allowances.