Brazilian Visa for aircraft crew: what you need to know!

For crew members of foreign aircraft operating flights to Brazil, a type of visa called “Brazilian visa for aircraft crew” was granted. The visa was used to guarantee legal entry into the country and the performance of duties on board aircraft.

However, there have been some changes regarding the visa. Check out these changes in this text!

If you are a foreigner and need legal support in Brazil, consult our specialized team by clicking here.

What is the Brazilian visa for an aircraft crew?

As explained before, the visa was reformulated in Brazil, but you will now understand how it operated and what changes were made in current times.

The Brazilian visa for aircraft crew is a type of visa granted to crew members of foreign aircraft that will operate flights to Brazil. Therefore, this visa is issued by the Brazilian Consulate in the crew member’s country of origin and allows them to enter Brazil to work as a member of an aircraft crew.

To obtain this visa, the crew member must present certain documents, such as a valid passport, the flight qualification certificate, and the airline’s letter of introduction. Furthermore, it’s important that the crew member does not have a criminal record in Brazil or other countries.

The crew visa is valid for 90 days and can be extended for a further 90 days.

Why does it exist differently?

The Brazilian visa for aircraft crew existed differently because the nature of the work of an aircraft crew is different from that of other types of foreign workers. Aircraft crew members, such as pilots and flight attendants, do not stay in Brazil for long periods and are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during the flight.

Therefore, these professionals had access to a specific visa that facilitated their entry into the country to perform this role.

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What were the changes?

With the visa reformulation, airline workers receive a kind of special entry, organized by the airlines themselves. Therefore, they do not need to stamp their passport like other travelers every time they enter Brazil.

However, they need to check with the company whether the authorization is up to date and correct, to avoid problems with Brazilian immigration.

Which aircraft crew members should obtain this visa?

All crew members of foreign aircraft that will operate flights to Brazil must obtain a Brazilian aircraft crew visa. This includes pilots, co-pilots, and flight attendants. In other words, with the changes, everyone must have special entry authorization released and aligned with the responsible company or company for which you work.

This includes other members of the onboard team, as well as aircraft mechanics and other professionals involved in the maintenance and repair of foreign aircraft in Brazil.

These professionals need a Brazilian aircraft crew visa to enter Brazil and work on international flights, both passenger and cargo flights. The crew visa allows these professionals to enter and leave Brazil several times during the validity of the visa, according to the needs of the airline and the flight itinerary.

In fact, without a valid crew visa, these professionals were not allowed to work on board foreign aircraft on Brazilian soil. Therefore, airlines and crew members need to be aware of crew visa requirements to avoid immigration issues and ensure compliance with Brazilian laws.

Currently, attention should be focused on special authorization.

Does this visa apply to crews of any type of aircraft?

The Brazilian visa for aircraft crew applies to all types of aircraft, whether passenger, cargo, military transport, or others. Any foreign aircraft crew intending to operate flights to Brazil must obtain a crew visa, regardless of the type of aircraft they are operating.

This includes crews on large commercial aircraft, such as passenger planes and freighters, as well as crews on smaller aircraft, such as business jets and tourist aircraft.

In fact, all crew members, including pilots, co-pilots, flight attendants, aircraft mechanics and other professionals, must obtain a crew visa to work on board these aircraft on international flights to Brazil.

In other words, all airlines must provide special entry to their crew.

It’s worth mentioning that, in the old ways, the requirements for obtaining a crew visa may vary according to the nationality of the crew member, the type of aircraft, and the nature of the flight. Therefore, you must check in advance what the specific requirements are for each case and ensure that all necessary documents and certifications are in order before traveling to Brazil.

What are the requirements to obtain this visa?

As I explained, the crew’s authorization to enter and work in Brazilian territory has changed. You must submit the request directly to the company you work for and they will provide the documentation and requirements for your entry into the country.

However, this decision is not final and if you move and return your visa, you can base yourself on the following information:

The requirements for obtaining a Brazilian aircraft crew visa may vary depending on the applicant’s country of origin and the type of flight in question. However, in general, the following documents and requirements are required:

• Valid passport: the applicant’s passport must be valid for at least six months from the scheduled date of entry into Brazil;
• Letter of introduction from the airline: the airline that will operate flights to Brazil must provide a letter of introduction to the applicant, confirming their role in the aircraft crew;
  Valid crew license: the applicant must hold a valid crew license issued by the civil aviation authorities of their country of origin;
• Medical certificate: the applicant for the Brazilian visa for aircraft crew must present a medical certificate proving that he or she is in good health to perform his/her role on board an aircraft;
• Criminal record certificate: the applicant must provide a criminal record certificate issued by the authorities of their country of origin. In other words, confirming that you do not have a criminal record;
• Return air ticket: the applicant must present a return air ticket or proof of reservation that confirms the date of departure from Brazil;
• Visa fees: the applicant must pay the visa fees required by the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy in the country of origin.

Additionally, some countries have bilateral agreements with Brazil that may affect the requirements for obtaining a crew visa.

Therefore, you need to check in advance what the specific requirements are for each case and ensure that all necessary documents and certifications are in order. In other words, prepare well before traveling to Brazil.

What are the restrictions on products and luggage that the crew can bring and enter Brazil?

The restrictions on products and baggage that crew can bring and enter Brazil are similar to the restrictions applicable to passengers entering the country. Some of the most common restrictions include:

• Maximum amount of liquids: Crew are subject to the same liquid restrictions as passengers. Liquids such as drinks, perfumes, creams, lotions, and other items must be transported in containers of up to 100ml and placed in transparent, sealed plastic bags. Each passenger or crew member can carry a maximum of 1 liter of liquids;
• Food and plant restrictions: the entry of food and plants into Brazil is restricted in order to prevent the spread of diseases and pests. In fact, foods and plants must be checked and comply with Brazilian phytosanitary regulations;
• Restrictions on products of animal origin: the entry of products of animal origin into Brazil is restricted, due to the risk of disease transmission. The crew must declare all animal products they are bringing into the country. Furthermore, check whether they comply with Brazilian health regulations;
• Restrictions on controlled products: the entry of controlled products into Brazil is restricted and requires prior authorization from the competent authorities. The crew must declare all controlled products they are bringing into the country and check that they have the necessary authorization.

What rights does the visa give the crew?

The Brazilian visa for aircraft crew confers certain rights and benefits to crew who come to Brazil to work on international flights. Some of the main rights and benefits include:

• Permission to work on international flights: with the crew visa, crew members are permitted to work on international flights that have Brazil as their destination or starting point;
• Tax exemption: the crew is exempt from taxes on salaries and other income related to work carried out in Brazil;
• Facilities for entering and leaving the country: the crew has access to special facilities for entering and leaving Brazil, including exclusive immigration queues and preferential service at airports;
• Possibility of obtaining long-term visas: crew who intend to stay in Brazil for longer periods can request the granting of long-term visas, such as a work visa or a residence visa;
  Access to consular services: the crew can access consular services in their country of origin or in other countries represented by their embassies or consulates in Brazil.

How to apply for and obtain a visa?

If you maintain the form of request via the employing company: forward requests and information directly to the company;

But if the visa is returned: requesting and obtaining a Brazilian visa for the aircraft crew must follow the steps below:

• Gather the necessary documentation: To apply for a crew visa, you need to present certain documents, such as a valid passport, an employment certificate issued by the airline, and a completed visa application form. Depending on the applicant’s country of origin, other documents may be required;
• Schedule an interview: An interview is mandatory to apply for a crew visa. The applicant must schedule an interview at the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy in their country of origin. During the interview, the applicant must provide information about the job, the airline, and the stay in Brazil;
• Pay the visa fee: Before the interview, the applicant must pay the visa fee, which may vary according to the country of origin and the type of visa requested;
• Wait for the application to be analyzed: After the interview, the visa application will be analyzed by the Brazilian consular authorities. Processing time may vary, but generally takes a few days to a few weeks;
• Remove the visa: If the visa is approved, the applicant must return to the Consulate or Embassy to remove the visa from their passport. In some cases, the visa may be sent by post or electronically.

You must remember that each country may have specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a crew visa for Brazil. It’s recommended that the applicant check the updated information on the website of the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy in their country of origin before starting the application process.

Brazilian visa for aircraft crew and current changes: what you need to know

In summary, the Brazilian visa for aircraft crew was a type of visa granted to crew members of foreign aircraft that would operate flights to Brazil. To obtain it, you needed to present documents such as a valid passport, flight qualification certificate, and a letter of introduction from the airline.

However, changes have now occurred and today airline workers can enter Brazil without having their passport stamped, taking advantage of a special type of entry, organized by the airlines themselves.