Brazil’s Federal Police (PF) has escalated its long-running compliance campaign by publicly posting the names of foreign nationals fined for missing the 30-day post-arrival registration deadline. The list—spotted by immigration advisers on 13 December—details dozens of individuals and penalties that in some cases exceed R$7,000.
Under Brazil’s Migration Law, anyone entering on work, study or digital-nomad status must appear in person at a PF office within 30 days of first entry to provide biometrics and original documents. While fines for late registration are not new, public disclosure adds a reputational sting that could jeopardise future visa renewals and even employment prospects.
Multinational employers are already tightening internal controls. Global mobility managers are integrating PF reminders into HRIS dashboards, pre-booking registration slots and archiving boarding passes to prove compliance. Some firms are budgeting for expedited services in São Paulo, Rio and Belo Horizonte, where appointment slots can sell out weeks in advance.
![Federal Police publishes ‘name-and-shame’ list of late-registering foreigners, raising compliance stakes]()
For assignees and HR teams that prefer an end-to-end digital solution, VisaHQ’s Brazil portal can shoulder much of the administrative burden, from curating document checklists to securing coveted PF appointment slots—see https://www.visahq.com/brazil/ for details on how its concierge services keep travellers compliant and penalty-free.
Immigration counsel warn that unpaid fines block all subsequent immigration filings—from dependant permits to permanent-residence upgrades—and predict that the PF may extend the tactic to overstays and work-permit violations. With Brazil expecting record foreign arrivals ahead of COP-30 in 2026, the authorities’ message is clear: administrative non-compliance will now carry a public price tag as well as a financial one.
Employers are advised to audit existing assignee files immediately and ensure that new arrivals land with pre-scheduled PF appointments and clear instructions on required originals, including apostilled documents where applicable.
Under Brazil’s Migration Law, anyone entering on work, study or digital-nomad status must appear in person at a PF office within 30 days of first entry to provide biometrics and original documents. While fines for late registration are not new, public disclosure adds a reputational sting that could jeopardise future visa renewals and even employment prospects.
Multinational employers are already tightening internal controls. Global mobility managers are integrating PF reminders into HRIS dashboards, pre-booking registration slots and archiving boarding passes to prove compliance. Some firms are budgeting for expedited services in São Paulo, Rio and Belo Horizonte, where appointment slots can sell out weeks in advance.
For assignees and HR teams that prefer an end-to-end digital solution, VisaHQ’s Brazil portal can shoulder much of the administrative burden, from curating document checklists to securing coveted PF appointment slots—see https://www.visahq.com/brazil/ for details on how its concierge services keep travellers compliant and penalty-free.
Immigration counsel warn that unpaid fines block all subsequent immigration filings—from dependant permits to permanent-residence upgrades—and predict that the PF may extend the tactic to overstays and work-permit violations. With Brazil expecting record foreign arrivals ahead of COP-30 in 2026, the authorities’ message is clear: administrative non-compliance will now carry a public price tag as well as a financial one.
Employers are advised to audit existing assignee files immediately and ensure that new arrivals land with pre-scheduled PF appointments and clear instructions on required originals, including apostilled documents where applicable.
