Late on 6 December Australia’s Smartraveller service quietly elevated Brazil to “Level 2 – Exercise a High Degree of Caution,” one notch below “Re-consider Your Need to Travel.” The bulletin cites rising violent crime in major cities, methanol-tainted alcohol in beach resorts, political protests ahead of 2026 municipal elections and a spike in dengue and measles cases.
Although advisories are not legal travel bans, they have immediate consequences for global-mobility programmes. Many Australian insurers automatically load premiums or pare back medical-evacuation benefits when a destination turns “amber.” Companies sending fly-in project crews to Brazil’s mining states or São Paulo’s financial district should expect longer underwriting times and higher costs.
![Australia Upgrades Travel Advisory for Brazil, Triggers Extra Compliance Steps for Corporate Travellers]()
The notice also reminds travellers that Brazil reinstated its electronic visit-visa (e-Visa) for Australians, Canadians and U.S. nationals on 10 April 2025. Applications must be submitted online before departure; visas are not issued on arrival. Passports need at least six months’ validity, and dual nationals must exit and enter on a Brazilian passport—males aged 18-45 can still be called for military reserve service.
Mobility managers should refresh risk assessments, verify that health insurance covers dengue treatment, and circulate the e-Visa link well ahead of departure. Firms with large Australian expat populations—especially in mining and oil & gas—may need to audit local clinics to ensure they meet evacuation-insurance standards or maintain an on-call medical-assistance contract.
Although advisories are not legal travel bans, they have immediate consequences for global-mobility programmes. Many Australian insurers automatically load premiums or pare back medical-evacuation benefits when a destination turns “amber.” Companies sending fly-in project crews to Brazil’s mining states or São Paulo’s financial district should expect longer underwriting times and higher costs.
The notice also reminds travellers that Brazil reinstated its electronic visit-visa (e-Visa) for Australians, Canadians and U.S. nationals on 10 April 2025. Applications must be submitted online before departure; visas are not issued on arrival. Passports need at least six months’ validity, and dual nationals must exit and enter on a Brazilian passport—males aged 18-45 can still be called for military reserve service.
Mobility managers should refresh risk assessments, verify that health insurance covers dengue treatment, and circulate the e-Visa link well ahead of departure. Firms with large Australian expat populations—especially in mining and oil & gas—may need to audit local clinics to ensure they meet evacuation-insurance standards or maintain an on-call medical-assistance contract.
