Arriving at the Airport: What to Expect at Immigration

International arrivals follow the same broad sequence almost everywhere: immigration, then baggage, then customs. In Brasil, the first step is run by the Federal Police (Polícia Federal), which handles migration control. The last step is run by the Receita Federal, the federal revenue service, which handles customs. Knowing who does what makes the hall less confusing.

This guide walks through the order of things and what to have ready. Procedures and technology at each airport differ, so treat it as an outline, and check the official pages before you fly.

Before you board

The smoothest arrivals are prepared before departure:

• Visa. As a US citizen, you need a visitor visa or the appropriate temporary visa. See Visa types for Americans. Airlines may check this before letting you board.
• Passport. It should be valid for your whole intended stay, per the consulates.
• Pre-registration, where offered. The gov.br service for migration pre-registration (pré-cadastro migratório) lets travelers fill in data online before arriving at certain control points. Whether it is available for your airport, and how long a submission stays valid, is stated on that service page. Check the official page.
• Customs declaration, if needed. If you will carry goods above the allowance, the Receita lets you prepare the electronic traveler goods declaration (e-DBV) in advance. See Customs basics.

Step one: immigration

After you leave the aircraft, follow the signs for arrivals and passport control. There are usually separate lines for Brazilian citizens and residents and for foreign visitors. Join the right one.

At the booth, the officer checks your passport and your right to enter. The Federal Police describe a passport, the entry and exit card, and a visa where required as the basic documents for a foreigner's entry. The Federal Police page on the entry and exit card explains how that card works today. Check the official page for whether a paper card is issued at your airport.

The officer may also ask questions, and may ask for supporting documents. Federal and consular sources list items such as:

• Proof of where you will stay.
• A return or onward ticket.
• Proof that you can support yourself during the stay.
• The purpose of your trip, and your itinerary.

Most visitors are asked very little. Still, have these ready on paper or offline on your phone, so a question takes thirty seconds instead of five minutes of searching for signal.

How to answer

Answer the question you are asked, briefly and truthfully. If you are visiting, say so, and say how long. If you are on a temporary visa, say which kind and why you came. Your answer should match your ticket, your lodging and your visa. If the officer speaks Portuguese and you do not, a polite "Desculpe, não falo bem português" is fine. See Survival Portuguese.

Do not joke about your bags, your plans or your status. Do not volunteer long stories. And keep your documents in your hand, not in a backpack at the bottom of the overhead bin.

Step two: baggage

After the booth, collect your checked bags. If a bag is missing, report it at the airline's desk in the baggage hall before you leave the secure area. Get a written reference number.

Step three: customs

With your bags, you pass through customs. The Receita Federal describes two paths:

• Nothing to declare ("Nada a Declarar"), if your goods are within the allowance and none of them need to be declared.
• Goods to declare ("Bens a Declarar"), if you carry goods above the allowance, goods subject to controls, or cash above the stated limit.

Choose honestly. The Receita states that a false declaration can result in a fine. Bags may be selected for inspection on either path. The details of what counts toward the allowance are in Customs basics and Electronics limits and declaring devices.

If something goes wrong

If an officer has a concern, stay calm and polite. Ask what document they need, and offer it. If you are held for further questions, you may ask to contact your airline or your country's consulate. Do not argue at the booth; it never helps.

Arrival checklist

• Passport and visa, easy to reach.
• Lodging address, written down.
• Return or onward ticket, offline.
• A rough budget and how you will pay for the stay.
• Pre-registration done, if your airport offers it.
• e-DBV prepared, if you have goods to declare.
• Phone charged, with your key documents saved offline.

The full list of papers is in Documents to carry when you land.