US tourists: what is the new strategy for staying more than 90 days?

2POSTS

6 years ago

For several years we have been part-time ex-pats, staying six months out of the year on our tourist visas. Approaching the 90 day mark we would fly out of country and upon our return would get our visa extended for another 90 days.

But the abolition of the tourist visa status for US citizens, meant I suppose to encourage tourism, seems to be working against our usual plan.

With the change can you still leave and expect to be able to re-enter Brazil? And more importantly receive a 90 day extension? (By the new rules EU citizens must wait 90 days before re-entry, but not sure about USA citizens.)

The only instructions I can find online makes no mention of the old leave/re-enter strategy. Is it a thing of the past?

Instead all I can see online is the rote instruction that one has to go to the Federal Police and apply for a 90 day extension. This seems like a nightmare, but is it the only way to over-stay?

We had plans to stay in Sao Paulo for six months, but that looks difficult at best. Is there any US citizen without permanent visa status reading this who has encountered this problem and better, solved it?

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abthree Brazil Expert

6505POSTS

6 years ago

Good news -- you don't have to leave the country, if you don't want to. The "new strategy" is the same as the old strategy: go to the local Polícia Federal office a couple of weeks before your 90 days are up, and request an extension. As US citizens, you're still entitled to be in Brazil for 180 out of every 365 days. Not sure why you think it sounds like a "nightmare" -- most people who have done it describe a pretty straightforward process, and cheaper than flying in and out.

EU citizens, unless their countries had prior agreements with Brazil that preempt the current EU agreement, are on a 90/180 day plan, which explains why they have to leave after 90 days. it still comes out to 180 in 365, but they're required to break it up.

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oldbroom Member

2POSTS

6 years ago

Thanks so much Abthree! Very useful.

The reason I said "nightmare" is that it's my understanding that here in SP you have to go to the PF in Lapa, which I've heard is a memorable experience for its slow lines.

That's why I wondered about the airport, flying back in you might be able to get the extension from the Federal Police upon reentry.

Thank you.

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abthree Brazil Expert

6505POSTS

6 years ago

Sure thing!

I don't know Polícia Federal practices in São Paulo well enough to advise you with certainty, but most of the complaints about the Lapa office on threads here have related to applying for permanent residency, which is a much more complicated process.
Some people have reported success in requesting extensions at airport offices; might be worth an Uber ride to check out.

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Texanbrazil ViP

2744POSTS

6 years ago

oldbroom wrote:
Thanks so much Abthree! Very useful.

The reason I said "nightmare" is that it's my understanding that here in SP you have to go to the PF in Lapa, which I've heard is a memorable experience for its slow lines.

That's why I wondered about the airport, flying back in you might be able to get the extension from the Federal Police upon reentry.

Thank you.

I would not risk waiting as trying to extend on re-entry. May not even be able to board a flight.
As abthree stated go to airport now and ask. They have experienced agents and can help.

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