Dear Members,


The American Society of São Paulo is cooperating with the São Paulo US Consulate. to get important messaging across to our members.


Should you have any questions regarding any of the information below, please contact the embassy or consular staff through their official channels which can be found at the bottom of this page.


Thank you.

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Effective December 6, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel and CDC attestation form, which is provided and collected by the airlines.  Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.   Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions. 

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in Brazil have resumed limited appointments for some routine passport, citizenship, and notarial services as local conditions allow.  In accordance with COVID-19 health precautions, appointments for passport, citizenship, and notarial services remain limited. Emergency and time sensitive services continue to have priority, and we may not be able to attend to all routine requests at this time.  Each applicant requires their own appointment. To request an appointment, please contact your nearest embassy, consulate, or agency and detail the nature of your appointment request.

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All visitors to our offices age two and older must wear a mask.  Any applicant with symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, or fever must reschedule their interview.

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Last updated:  12/21/2021

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Country-Specific Information:

  • Brazil continues to experience high daily case numbers of COVID-19 throughout the country. On September 13, Brazil moved to a Level 3 Travel Advisory (Reconsider Travel) due to COVID-19. U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in Brazil due to crime, as some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

  • Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms are lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.   

  • Brazil requires proof of full vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test, and a completed Traveler’s Health Declaration (DSV) prior to boarding a Brazil-bound flight to enter.  Detailed information on Brazil’s entry requirements can be found under “Entry and Exit Requirements for Travel to Brazil.” 

COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Requirements for Travel to the United States

Effective December 6, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel and a signed attestation form at the time of boarding.  If you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant, you must also provide proof that you are fully vaccinated before boarding the flight.   

Requirements for Child Travelers:

  • All children under 2 years old do not need to provide results from a COVID-19 test.

  • Children 2 – 17 years old are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for non-U.S. citizens and nonimmigrants. However, they must take a COVID-19 viral test 3-5 days after arriving in the United States and self-isolate if the test result is positive or if they develop COVID-19 symptoms.

Humanitarian Exemptions to COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Requirements:

COVID-19 Testing in Brazil

  • Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Brazil? YES 

  • If so, are test results reliably available within one calendar day? YES but there is no guarantee that tests or results will be available to meet your departure timing requirements. 

  • Brazil is a very large, diverse country with varying medical resources, both private and public, throughout the country.  In the private healthcare system, there are many labs that perform COVID-19 testing.  Prices vary, but COVID-19 tests typically cost between $20 and $100.  PCR, serology-based antibody tests, and antigen tests are available. Turn-around time varies widely depending upon location.  Please verify turn-around time with your chosen lab before taking the test. Express results within 2-4 hours are available in many locations at an increased fee, including in the Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo and Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro. Testing is available in the private sector without a doctor’s prescription, but a prescription may be required for insurance payment. 

  • In the public healthcare system, each Brazilian state has its own COVID-19 testing plan. We recommend that you contact local/state authorities for more information. Typically, a COVID-19 test is ordered by an emergency room physician and then sent to a public lab. Turnaround time is much slower and can take up to seven days, but tests are generally free. Some states do free, drive-through testing, but this tends to be arranged ahead of time via appointment. There is also information on testing sites and procedures available through the official app of the Ministry of Health. 

Traveling to the United States with Expired U.S. Passports

  • U.S. citizens already outside the United States with a passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, may be able to use their expired passport to return directly to the United States until December 31, 2021. Exceptions apply. See details here. U.S. Citizens who do not qualify and are seeking to renew their passport should schedule an appointment for passport service at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General in Brazil. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Brazil:

  • Has the government of Brazil approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? YES.

  • Are vaccines available in Brazil for U.S. citizens to receive? YES, but only registered residents meeting eligibility requirements may receive vaccines. Vaccines are only available in the public Unified Health System (SUS). 

  • Which vaccines are available in Brazil? AstraZeneca/Oxford (Fiocruz), CoronaVac (Butantan), Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), and Pfizer (BioNTech). 

  • Brazil is vaccinating residents based on age, profession, medical history, and other factors. Vaccination eligibility varies by state. For information on local availability of COVID-19 vaccines, please see the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s website and also contact local health authorities. 

  • Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-authorized vaccines in the United States.

  • The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements for Travel to Brazil:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter Brazil? YES

    • For additional details on air, land, and sea travel restrictions, please review the entire December 8, 2021 Brazilian government announcement of current COVID-19 travel restrictions.

    • While Brazil’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements may change, the CDC recommends that U.S. citizens should not travel internationally until they are fully vaccinated.

  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? YES

  • The entry of foreign visitors traveling by air for a short stay of up to 90 days is currently permitted. All travelers to Brazil by air (Brazilians and foreigners) must present the following to the airline before boarding:

1 . Proof of COVID-19 vaccination status. 

  • Before boarding, travelers age 12 and over must present proof of their vaccination status (electronic or printed) to the airline responsible for their flight. 

  • The vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization or by relevant health authorities in the country where the vaccine was administered. 

  • Proof of vaccination may be in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, but proof of vaccination only in QR-code format or other coded language will not be accepted.

  • To be considered fully vaccinated, the traveler must have received the final dose of the vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding. 

  • While Brazil’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements may change, the CDC recommends that U.S. citizens should not travel internationally until they are fully vaccinated.

  • Proof of vaccination will be waived for travelers:

    • (I) with a health condition that contraindicates vaccination, certified by a medical report;

    • (II) not eligible for vaccination due to age, according to criteria defined by the Ministry of Health in the National Plan for the Operationalization of Vaccination against COVID-19 and published in the Ministry of Health website;

    • (III) due to humanitarian issues (as detailed in the December 20 portaria); or,

    • (IV) arriving from countries with low vaccination coverage published on the Ministry of Health website.

  • Unvaccinated travelers who are Brazilian citizens, legal residents, or those waived in categories I – IV (see above) will be allowed to enter but must complete a fourteen-day quarantine after reaching their final destination in Brazil at the address indicated on their DSV form. After the fifth day of quarantine, if the traveler is asymptomatic and has received a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result, the quarantine may be discontinued.

  • Brazilians and legal residents who left Brazil prior to December 14, 2021 are exempt from presenting proof of vaccination and from quarantining on return.

2. Negative COVID-19 test conforming to the following rules: 

  • The COVID-19 test must be a laboratory test (RT-PCR) for screening for infection by SARS-CoV-2, with a negative/non-reactive result, performed within 72 hours prior to the moment of boarding; or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 24 hours of boarding; 

  • The document must be presented in English, Portuguese, or Spanish; 

  • The test must be carried out in a laboratory recognized by the health authority of the country of departure; 

  • Children under the age of twelve who are traveling with a companion are exempt from presenting a COVID-19 test provided that all companions present the required negative/non-reactive COVID-19 tests. However, children aged two or over and less than twelve years old who are traveling unaccompanied must present proof of the negative/non-reactive COVID-19 test; 

  • Children under the age of two years are exempt from presenting a negative COVID-19 test; 

  • In the event of travel to Brazil with connections or stopovers where the traveler remains in a restricted area of the airport, the seventy-two hour period applies for prior to boarding the first flight of the trip.  However, if the traveler leaves the restricted area of the airport, and it is more than 72 hours after the RT-PCR test or more than 24 hours after the antigen test, the traveler must take a new COVID-19 test, RT-PCR or antigen, and present proof of a negative test result prior to boarding a plane to Brazil. 

3. Traveler’s Health Declaration (DSV): filled out (in print or digitally) no more than 24 hours prior to boarding agreeing, to sanitary measures that must be complied with during the traveler’s time in Brazil. Travelers of all ages must complete the form, including children under the age of two. The form can be obtained by e-mail upon completing the information requested at the ANVISA website. 

  • Entry to Brazil across land borders is authorized, and travelers will be required to meet the same entry requirements as those entering by air. 

  • Travel by sea exclusively along the Brazilian coast is authorized; however, sea entry from other countries remains prohibited, with limited exceptions described in the December 8 Brazilian government announcement. 

  • Note: Travelers who test persistently positive for COVID-19 can enter Brazil but must present the following to the airline before boarding:

    • Two COVID-19 RT-PCR tests at least 14 days apart, the most recent performed within 72 hours prior to the moment of boarding; 

    • One COVID-19 antigen test with a negative or non-reactive result dated after the last RT-PCR test; and 

    • A medical certificate stating the traveler is asymptomatic and able to travel, including the specific date of travel. The certificate must be in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. 

  • Note: Flight crews are exempt from the COVID-19 test requirement provided they adhere to the following guidelines:

    • While in Brazil, minimized social contact and enhanced self-isolation when traveling between the airport and the hotel.  When necessary – the air operator must provide transportation between the aircraft and the individual accommodations of the crew in an exclusive vehicle and ensure that hygiene measures are applied and that physical distance is ensured from the origin to the destination;

    • While in Brazil, minimized social contact and enhanced self-isolation while staying in the accommodation.  The crew must remain in their residence or  hotel room.  In the latter case, the following must be observed:

      • Hotel room will be occupied by only one crew member;

      • Hotel room will be cleaned before and after occupation;

      • The crew will not use the hotel’s common facilities;

      • The crew will have meals in their room;

      • If hotel room service is not available, the crew will request a “to go” meal.

    • Health care and self-monitoring.  The crew must:

      • Regularly monitor symptoms, including fever and other symptoms associated with COVID-19;

      • Avoid contact with the public and other crew members;

      • Stay in the hotel room, except to seek medical attention or to perform activities considered essential;

      • Wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, or use alcohol gel.

  • While Brazil no longer requires proof of health insurance to enter the country, the U.S. Department of State continues to recommend that all travelers purchase insurance before departing the United States or verify that their existing health insurance will cover them while abroad. The U.S. government does not provide health insurance for U.S. citizens overseas and does not pay medical bills.

  • Travelers to Brazil arriving from or passing through the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Namibia,  and the Republic of Zimbabwe within the last 14 days are temporarily prohibited entry and will not be permitted to embark on flights to Brazil.  Some exceptions apply; please review details on exceptions and related quarantine requirements  in Article 6 and 7 of Brazil’s Dec. 8 decree.  

  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? YES

  • Information regarding visa extensions for residents and/or tourists:

  • Immigration and visas for Brazil are administered by the Brazilian Federal Police.  

  • Effective November 3, 2020, the government of Brazil has suspended the March 16, 2020 regulations that automatically extended the length of stay for permanent residents and legal visitors in Brazil during the COVID-19 crisis.  Please note that a tourist visa (electronic or paper) is not required for U.S. citizens to travel to Brazil for the purposes of tourism, business, transit, and artistic and athletic activities, for stays of up to 90 days. According to the new decree, the period between March 16, 2020 and November 3, 2020 will be disregarded when assessing whether a visitor’s stay exceeded the allowable length.

  • Regarding the Brazilian immigration process, immigration documents that expired after March 16, 2020 will be accepted if the immigrant has remained in Brazil and sought to normalize their immigration status before March 16, 2021. 

  • For up to date information on Brazilian immigration and visa issues, please contact the Brazilian Federal Police.

  • To read Brazil’s COVID-19 entry requirements and regulations, please review the entire December 20 Brazilian government announcement.

Movement Restrictions:

  • Is a curfew in place?  NO, there is no federally mandated curfew; however some local jurisdictions have and may enact movement restrictions which may include vaccination requirements.  U.S. citizens should review local requirements prior to travel and adhere to local laws and regulations at all times, including COVID-19 related restriction orders.  

  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? NO; however, some local jurisdictions have and may enact movement restrictions, which may include vaccination requirements. U.S. citizens should review local requirements prior to travel and adhere to local laws and regulations at all times, including COVID-19 related restriction orders.  

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? NO 

    • The Brazilian government recommends those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to self-quarantine for 15 days.   

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating? YES 

  • Is public transportation operating? YES 

    • Some state and local governments may limit public transportation and its frequency depending on local conditions. 

Fines for Non-Compliance:

  • Several state and local governments across Brazil have issued decrees that require the use of facial coverings (masks) to combat the spread of COVID-19.  Failure to do so could result in fines or possible arrest.  U.S. citizens should adhere to local laws and regulations at all times, including COVID-19 related mask policies. 

Consular Operations:

  • American Citizen Services:

  • Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas:

    • The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil resumed routine nonimmigrant visa appointments on November 8, 2021. For additional information, see travel.state.gov. To schedule your visa appointment, please access the Visa Appointment Service.

    • The Immigrant Visa Unit is making every effort to schedule your immigrant visa case as soon as possible. Please do not contact the Immigrant Visa Unit to inquire about scheduling your interview. The staff will contact you directly. If you have been advised that your case file has been forwarded to the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro, please refer to our website for an overview of the application procedure and begin compiling the necessary supporting documents. You can collect the supporting documents that will be needed for your visa interview, but you may not schedule a medical appointment or immigrant visa interview without specific authorization from the Immigrant Visa Unit.  Please monitor our website for updates.

    • The MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased until September 30, 2023. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-br/niv.

Local Resources:

Stay up to date by checking these websites frequently:

U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil

COVID-19 Information

https://br.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information

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U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs

COVID-19 crisis page

https://travel.state.gov

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/

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U.S. Department of State - Brazil Country Page and Brazil Travel Advisory

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html

 

Brazilian Ministry of Health - Ministério da Saude

Coronavirus - COVID-19

https://coronavirus.saude.gov.br/


Stay in touch with the latest news on Twitter and Instagram: 
 

@USCitsBrazil

@embaixadaEUA

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@embaixadaeua

@consuladoeuasp

@consuladoeua.rio

@consuladoeua_nordeste

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US Embassy Brazil - Embaixada EUA Brasil

https://br.usembassy.gov/

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US Consulate - São Paulo - Consulado Geral EUA - São Paulo

https://br.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/saopaulo/

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US Consulate - Rio de Janeiro - Consulado Geral EUA - Rio de Janeiro

https://br.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/riodejaneiro/

 

US Consulate - Porto Alegre  - Consulado Geral EUA - Porto Alegre

https://br.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/u-s-consulate-general-porto-alegre/

 

US Consulate - Recife  - Consulado Geral EUA - Recife

https://br.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/recife/

 

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Please see emergency contact info for the Embassy and Consulates in Brazil: 
 
U.S. Embassy Brasilia 
Phone: +55 61 3312-7000 
After-Hours Emergencies: +55 61 3312-7400 
E-mail: BrasiliaACS@state.gov 
 
Embassy Branch Office in Belo Horizonte 
Telephone: +55 31 3338-4000 
E-mail:  BrasiliaACS@state.gov 
 
U.S. Consulate General Recife 
Phone: +55 81 3416-3050 
After-Hours Emergencies: +55 81 99916-9470
Email: RecifeACS@state.gov  
 
U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro 
Phone: +55 21 3823-2000 
After-Hours Emergencies: +55 21 3823-2029 
Email:  ACSRio@state.gov 
 
U.S. Consulate General São Paulo 
Phone: +55 11 3250-5000 
After-Hours Emergencies: +55 11 3250-5373 
E-mail: SaoPauloACS@state.gov  
 
U.S. Consulate General Porto Alegre 
Phone: +55 51 3345-6000 
After-Hours Emergencies: +55 51 3345-6000 
Email:  PortoalegreACS@state.gov