It was required by the airlines I flew with to Brazil for my first visit, and my permanent visit ( I used the return for a family funeral, the airline credited the unused portion of permanent stay ticket for the funeral) I called the airlines to work out the bereavement flight. The first attendant I spoke with was Brasilaria, I explained my situation and status of current processed documents for Permanent Residence a note from the Federal Police, it's the "White Paper"?, the one that covers all things until final processing, and she began to tell me of her 10 year marriage to a American and I needed to buy a 3 way Ticket (lol) after let's say her name was Mrs. Yada Yada BlahBlahBlah(smh) she was so proud of living in Atlanta the cess pool of Georgia (lol) I was born in Georgia so I can call Atlanta a cess pool, her marriage to a Northe Americano/North American Gringo yada,yada ( I get jabs in when I can/ rotfl) . I explained my status as she became "The Honey Badger" and we all know the "The Honey Badger " Don't Care" (see the youtube video) . I happen to have a Federal Police Officer as a neighbor ( my wife's girlfriends roommate ) and the luck of a higher power he works at the Airport (lucky boy I be) he gave my wife the rules "White Paper" travel permitted no necessary 3 way ticket, the ticket Mrs. Yada was requiring me to purchase from Brazil to US return to Brazil return to US, the conversation lasted 20 minutes (it was toll free) frustration I am trying to go to my mom's funeral. I hung up I should have gotten her real name, her new name Mrs. Misinformation (lol) we know how the phone called ended . I called the next day talked to a American Agent, she processed the refunderlying from the Original Round Trip ticket for Permanente Residence , booked the flight and apologized for the misinformation, I paid the full fare and recieved a refund after my return to Beautiful Belem. That's my story. To add fuel to this fire, it is my understanding "One must Show Onward Travel from Brazil, Customs does not care, yet you must show you are leaving Brasil by dogsled, bus or air to anywhere, yet one must exit Brazil and have proof of return airfare or a ticket showing that she will leave Brasil to go somewhere. I have read of people with a oneway ticket purchasing bus passage to another country off the Internet and that serves as proof you will leave Brasil. I recommend your friend purchase a ticket over the web(bus,train or airfare to a different country, be able to email the receipt and itenary in case the airlines or customs ask and your friend should be good to visit.....and travel as desired.