Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) kept its Smartraveller advice for Brazil at ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ on 26 October 2025, reiterating concerns over violent crime and a recent surge in methanol-related drink-spiking incidents. Although the guidance was last substantively amended on 7 October, the ‘still current’ date now reads 26 October, confirming that the cautionary notice remains active.
DFAT emphasises that visas must be obtained before arrival—Brazilian border posts will not issue them on the spot—and reminds travellers that entry rules can change without notice. For corporate mobility teams, this persistence of elevated-risk status means travellers should continue to register on DFAT’s SmartTraveller portal and carry an Australian passport that is valid for at least six months beyond intended departure.
Companies with fly-in/fly-out or project-based operations in Brazil should re-evaluate security briefings, particularly for staff transiting nightlife hubs such as Rio de Janeiro’s Lapa district, where adulterated liquor has been detected. Travel managers are also urged to communicate with local vendors about secure transport from airports and to arrange hotel pickups rather than using street taxis late at night.
Because DFAT’s advice dovetails with similar warnings from the UK, multinational firms can align their global travel-risk policies, ensuring consistent messaging to employees of different nationalities.
DFAT emphasises that visas must be obtained before arrival—Brazilian border posts will not issue them on the spot—and reminds travellers that entry rules can change without notice. For corporate mobility teams, this persistence of elevated-risk status means travellers should continue to register on DFAT’s SmartTraveller portal and carry an Australian passport that is valid for at least six months beyond intended departure.
Companies with fly-in/fly-out or project-based operations in Brazil should re-evaluate security briefings, particularly for staff transiting nightlife hubs such as Rio de Janeiro’s Lapa district, where adulterated liquor has been detected. Travel managers are also urged to communicate with local vendors about secure transport from airports and to arrange hotel pickups rather than using street taxis late at night.
Because DFAT’s advice dovetails with similar warnings from the UK, multinational firms can align their global travel-risk policies, ensuring consistent messaging to employees of different nationalities.
