Brazilian passport

Brazilian Passport

Front cover of a contemporary Brazilian biometric passport introduced in 2015.

Sample identification page of the new ("blue") Brazilian Passport. All data, including the holder's picture, are laser-printed. Notice the two-dimensional biometric barcode and the machine-readable code printed in the lower part. The protective plastic sheet covering this page is holographic and there are over 20 other advanced security features.
Issued by  Brazil
Valid in All countries with which Brazil maintains diplomatic relations
Type of document Passport
Purpose Identification
Eligibility requirements Brazilian citizenship
Expiration 1 year after issuance for children up to the age of 1; 2 years for children at the age of 2; 3 years for children at the age of 3; 4 years for children at the age of 4; 10 years for all other applicants (aged 5 and above)

The Brazilian Passport is the official document for foreign travel issued by the federal government, through the Federal Police.

A new model was officially introduced in July 2015 that complies with both Mercosul and ICAO standards, and bring a new biometric cryptography method, and replaces the last model, from 2010. The new passport also has a new due date of 10 years.

As a rule, Brazilian passports are valid for ten years (five years, on 2010 model) from the date of issue. They cannot be renewed: a new passport must be obtained when the previous one has expired or a minimum validity period is required by the country to be visited.

Brazilian passports can be ordered by mail for a duration of 3 years at the Brazilian consulate that has jurisdiction over the person's residence in a foreign country. The instructions say that whether applying for a "new" passport or a "renewal", the same application is used.[1]

Brazilian citizens do not need a passport when traveling to most other South American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay). For these countries, they may use just their domestic identification cards.

In December 2014, the Federal Police Department extended the validity of the document, from five to ten years.[2]

The "green" (old) and "blue" (new) models

The newest model for Brazilian passports, introduced in December 2006, follows the standard established by the Mercosul countries concerning cover color (dark blue for common passports) and the printing of the name Mercosul (Portuguese) or Mercosur (Spanish) on the upper portion of the cover, with the country name below it. The new passport model was first issued to Brazilian citizens for travel outside the country in 2007 and by May 2010 was the sole model being issued.[3]

The previous, "old" model has a dark-green cover and is not machine-readable. It does not have the name Mercosul printed on its cover, either. The even older model (also green) that was used until the 1970s, following that time's diplomatic tradition, had the inside pages printed only in Portuguese and French; the more recent "green" model has text in Portuguese, French and English. The latest, "blue" model is in four languages: Portuguese, French, English and Spanish, but the page with the holder's identification data is in Portuguese and English only, and the cover only in Portuguese.

Older passports (the "green" model) were produced either by Casa da Moeda do Brasil, the government's official mint, or by the American Bank Note Company. New passports (the "blue" model) are made solely by Casa da Moeda.

The "blue" passport's features

The current Brazilian passport is machine-readable, complying with the ICAO Document 9303 standard. When the passport is first issued, the holder's fingerprints, signature and photograph are digitally acquired and stored in a database, but only the holder's digital picture is coded in the physical passport, in a two-dimensional barcode. The latter, as well as the holder's personal identification data and his or her picture are directly laser-printed on the passport; only the holder's signature is handwritten in the traditional way. (Since the old "green" model was designed in the 1970s, before computer technology became widely available, the holder's data are typewritten or even handwritten on it.) At 8.5 x 12.5 cm (3.35 x 5.31 inches), the new passport model is 1 cm (0.39 inch) shorter in height than its predecessor.

Passports issued before November 2010 do not contain an RFID chip, but do contain about 20 advanced security features, including a security band embedded within the paper pulp, sewing threads and watermarks with a red fluorescence under ultraviolet light, latent images, optically-variable ink, laser perforations and a holographic plastic film protecting the holder's data page.[4]

In November 2010, the Brazilian passport began being issued with an RFID chip. , , ,

Passport message

Passports of many countries contain a message, nominally from the official or office in charge of passport issuance (e.g., Secretary of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs), addressed to authorities of other countries. The message identifies the bearer as a citizen of the issuing country, requests free passage through the other country, and requests further that, when necessary, aid and protection be afforded as per international laws.

In Brazilian passports, there is no highlight to the message whatsoever, nor is it referred to as a message from Brazilian authorities. It is printed on the back of the front cover, as well as three other information blocks. It is in Portuguese, French, English and Spanish. The message is:

In Portuguese:

Roga-se às autoridades estrangeiras que prestem ao titular deste passaporte auxílio e assistência em caso de necessidade.

in French:

Les autorités des Etats étrangers sont priées de bien vouloir prêter au titulaire de ce passeport aide et assistance au besoin.

in English:

Foreign authorities are requested to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.

and in Spanish:

Se ruega a las autoridades extranjeras que presten al titular de este pasaporte auxilio y asistencia en caso de necesidad.

Visa requirements map

Countries and territories with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entries for holders of regular Brazilian passports
  Brazil
  Passport not required. Travel with a Brazilian identity card
  Visa free
  Visa issued upon arrival with a fee
  eVisa

Visa requirements for Brazilian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Brazil. In 2016, Brazilian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 156 countries and territories, ranking the Brazilian passport 18th in the world and the first in South America according to the Visa Restrictions Index.

Issuing process

Passport applications are now made exclusively through the Internet, on the Federal Police Department's Web site. One fills the necessary information in an on-line form and must print the application form and the bank document for paying the required fee. If the new-model passport is going be issued (the site will inform if it is available at the chosen city and post), an appointment must be previously scheduled; this is also done on-line.

At the scheduled time (or at any time during the passport issuing post's working hours, for the old model), the applicant goes to the chosen Federal Police post with the required documents (no photograph needed for the new model, since the photo is taken digitally on the spot) and the passport will be ready at most six working days later (usually less). There is no fast-track system under ordinary circumstances.

The applicant's physical presence at the post is required for both applying for and picking up the passport, even if the old-model version will be issued. Special cases where the applicant is unable to go in person for relevant reasons (such as health issues) must be arranged with the authorities on a case-by-case basis.

As of July 2015, the passport issuing fee is R$257.00. Passports issued from May 2010 up to June 2015, the issuing fee was R$156.07 (BRL) and R$89.71 for the oldest model (pre 2010). The fee can be paid at any Brazilian bank, including Internet and home banking, with a document that is issued during the on-line application process and can be printed for payment. The fee is doubled if there is a previously issued passport and it is not produced when applying for a new one, but in practice this is rarely enforced.

Normally required documents for adult persons are listed below. Actual requirements are subject to change and there are special cases. Applicants should always check the Federal Police Web site for the latest information. Special requirements apply for minors (under 18 years of age).

For all applicants:

If applicable:

Special passports

Other types of Brazilian passports are issued with different colors,[5] but all will incorporate the new design and security features:

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.brazilsf.org/other_brazilian_passport.htm
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Passaporte azul está implantado em todo o Brasil; saiba como tirar". Folha Online. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "Get to know the new Brazilian passport" (PDF) (in Portuguese and English). Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2008-12-15.
  5. ↑ "Portal do SERPRO - Novo passaporte será emitido a partir de janeiro" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2008-12-15.
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