ARGENTINA VIA BRAZIL,180 DAY RULE

09/23/23    I am thinking of flying into Foz de Iguazu,then immediately proceeding into Argentina,via the land border, subsequently,reentering Brazil at a later date, return to the USA during the spring.
However,I have only 17 days remaining, regarding the 180 day rule,(Brazil)could I possibly face an issue w brazilian immigration on arrival?Will I be asked for proof that I'm proceeding immediately into Argentina?
   

    -@boombop4477

Probably not, since you haven't overstayed yet.  You may be denied re-entry into Brazil when you try to return, though.  If you re-enter without going through Passport Control (which at least in the past was sometimes possible at Foz), you'll almost certainly be fined for your overstay when you eventually do return to the US in the Spring.

You should also be aware that if your return travel plans involve travel to a destination in Brasil from the airport on the Brazilian side of Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) You could be subject to a customs/immigration inspection during which you might have to show your documents. That airport is considered a frontier entry/exit, thus the same federal police procedures that normally apply to international flights can apply to domestic flights. This might complicate your life, given your visa situation.

   09/24/23  You should also be aware that if your return travel plans involve travel to a destination in Brasil from the airport on the Brazilian side of Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) You could be subject to a customs/immigration inspection during which you might have to show your documents. That airport is considered a frontier entry/exit, thus the same federal police procedures that normally apply to international flights can apply to domestic flights. This might complicate your life, given your visa situation.   

    -@jonesio

Good point!  The last time I flew out of Foz there was a 100% Customs inspection and x-ray of all luggage.  There wasn't a formal Passport Control, but all travelers had to provide ID to the Customs officers and that was passports for foreigners, so it's probably a distinction without much of a difference.

@boombop4477 Well I guess I am the Guinea Pig for this question. I went to Miami for my FBI Background Check fingerprints and with two days left on my 180 day VISA, I was stopped at Customs coming back to Brazil. I had planned on going to the Federal Police to get my Permanent Residency Visa by Spouse and had ALL my documents. Unfortunately that was not enough. They did not think the two days left on my Visa was enough to change my status. My Brazilian wife who was still in Brazil negotiated on my behalf, but it took almost two hours, making me miss my connecting flight from Sao Paulo to Jericoacoara. In the end it was believed that a high ranking official in Brasilia on Easter Weekend had eventually okayed my return (that's how serious it was). All my immediate family is in Brazil, so I would have had no place to go if they had kept me out.

A parting note: Just because you see or are told via official or expert advisors that you may have a chance, remember it is the Agents at the Customs Office who have the final say. Just because you think technically the rules are on your side that 6ft. 250lb. customs agent at the gate who disagrees with you has the final say.

Roddie in Retirement

Thanks people,won't reenter Brazil until Nov,if denied,I ll just stay in Argentina,but in Nov, should have 45 days available.Last time on the border bus,I was the only one whom got off,to play it legal,ersatz open border.

Though getting caught must be NOT a nice experience.