Venezuela Closes Border After U.S. Strike; Brazil Activates Contingency Plans
New U.S. “Home Country Rule” Poised to Lengthen Visa Queues for Brazilians
Brazil Reaches New High in Repatriations as 3,000 Citizens Return from the U.S.
Latest News
Europe’s New ETIAS Will Apply to Brazilians From Late 2026
From late 2026 Brazilians will have to secure online pre-authorisation (ETIAS) before flying to or transiting the Schengen Area. Although quick for most applicants, manual reviews can take up to 30 days, so corporate travellers should apply well in advance.
Storms and Staffing Crunch Trigger 192 Flight Delays at São Paulo–Guarulhos
Torrential rain and an understaffed ATC night shift caused 192 delays and two cancellations at São Paulo–Guarulhos on 3 January. With wide-ranging knock-on effects for international connections, corporate travellers should expect schedule volatility through the first week of the year.
Brazil repatriates record 3,000 citizens from the United States; latest charter with 124 arrivals lands in Belo Horizonte
A charter flight carrying 124 deported Brazilians arrived in Belo Horizonte on 31 December, pushing 2025 repatriations under the “Aqui é Brasil” programme past 3,000—nearly twice the 2024 figure. The returns follow tougher U.S. removal policies and require extensive reception logistics coordinated by five federal ministries. The flow strains local social services but also creates a pool of labour that Brazilian employers could tap if reintegration schemes scale up. Mobility teams should watch for potential reciprocal entry measures aimed at U.S. visitors.
U.S. ‘Home Country Rule’ set to lengthen visa queues for Brazilians in 2026
From 2026, Brazilians seeking U.S. visas must apply only in Brazil under the new “Home Country Rule,” ending the practice of booking faster appointments in third-country consulates. With São Paulo and Rio queues already exceeding eight months, officials expect a 20-30 % spike in local demand. The change could disrupt business travel and project timelines, so companies are urged to initiate renewals a year in advance and monitor possible interview-waiver expansions.
Canada warns travellers about crime risks and visa delays in Brazil in new January 2026 advisory
Canada’s 2 January 2026 advisory urges caution for travellers to Brazil, citing rising urban crime, border violence and slow e-visa processing. The notice may raise insurance costs and dampen Canadian tourist demand just weeks before Carnival. Brazil’s government says extra police patrols and additional e-visa staff will mitigate the risks and delays.