Brazil has scrapped the patchwork of country-specific humanitarian visas it had used since 2017 and replaced them with one unified mechanism meant to cover any future displacement crisis. Inter-ministerial Ordinance 60/2025, published in the Diário Oficial and in force since 1 January 2026, was unveiled publicly on 6–7 January by the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs. The rule revokes the special programmes that previously channelled Afghans, Haitians, Syrians and others to Brazil and instead empowers the two ministries to issue joint acts—at any time—naming the nationalities (and the precise circumstances) that qualify for protection. Until the first list is released, Brazilian consulates have been told not to assume eligibility for any group, creating a temporary pause in new humanitarian-visa filings.
The new framework imports lessons from the Afghan airlift of 2022, when NGOs struggled to house thousands of evacuees who arrived within weeks. Henceforth, every applicant must present a “hosting commitment” issued by a non-governmental organisation that has a formal cooperation agreement with the federal government and can prove accommodation capacity and integration support. Visa fees remain waived for principals and dependants, while residence rights mirror the previous regime: beneficiaries must register with the Federal Police within 90 days and may then apply for a two-year temporary permit that allows study and work, with a pathway to indefinite stay.
Navigating these revised rules can be complex, but VisaHQ offers end-to-end support: through its Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/), the platform monitors regulatory changes, pre-screens applicants and coordinates with accredited NGOs, helping travellers and employers assemble compliant submissions quickly and efficiently.
![Brazil Overhauls Humanitarian Immigration: Single Framework Replaces Ad-Hoc Afghan and Haitian Schemes]()
Corporate mobility managers should note two immediate implications. First, eligibility is no longer tied automatically to nationality—HR teams cannot assume that employees or contractors from crisis-hit countries will qualify. Second, the hosting-commitment requirement lengthens lead times and adds a third party to the document chain. Companies that routinely relocate staff out of unstable regions should line up vetted NGO partners in advance and budget several extra weeks for case preparation.
Longer term, the ordinance brings Brazil closer to the EU model of “temporary protection” and could make the country a more predictable refuge for future displacement events—provided the ministries issue the promised joint acts transparently and with reasonable frequency. Until then, practitioners are advising clients to explore alternative pathways, such as the expanded visitor visa for short-term technical work or the digital-nomad visa, when humanitarian status is uncertain.
For assignees already in Brazil on the repealed Afghan or Haitian visas, a grandfather clause ensures continuity: anyone who entered on or before 31 December 2025 may apply for residence regardless of status, preventing a sudden loss of legality or work rights.
The new framework imports lessons from the Afghan airlift of 2022, when NGOs struggled to house thousands of evacuees who arrived within weeks. Henceforth, every applicant must present a “hosting commitment” issued by a non-governmental organisation that has a formal cooperation agreement with the federal government and can prove accommodation capacity and integration support. Visa fees remain waived for principals and dependants, while residence rights mirror the previous regime: beneficiaries must register with the Federal Police within 90 days and may then apply for a two-year temporary permit that allows study and work, with a pathway to indefinite stay.
Navigating these revised rules can be complex, but VisaHQ offers end-to-end support: through its Brazil portal (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/), the platform monitors regulatory changes, pre-screens applicants and coordinates with accredited NGOs, helping travellers and employers assemble compliant submissions quickly and efficiently.
Corporate mobility managers should note two immediate implications. First, eligibility is no longer tied automatically to nationality—HR teams cannot assume that employees or contractors from crisis-hit countries will qualify. Second, the hosting-commitment requirement lengthens lead times and adds a third party to the document chain. Companies that routinely relocate staff out of unstable regions should line up vetted NGO partners in advance and budget several extra weeks for case preparation.
Longer term, the ordinance brings Brazil closer to the EU model of “temporary protection” and could make the country a more predictable refuge for future displacement events—provided the ministries issue the promised joint acts transparently and with reasonable frequency. Until then, practitioners are advising clients to explore alternative pathways, such as the expanded visitor visa for short-term technical work or the digital-nomad visa, when humanitarian status is uncertain.
For assignees already in Brazil on the repealed Afghan or Haitian visas, a grandfather clause ensures continuity: anyone who entered on or before 31 December 2025 may apply for residence regardless of status, preventing a sudden loss of legality or work rights.
