IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Brazilian government has established new identity cards for foreigner nationals – the National Migration Registration Portfolio (CRNM) and the Provisional Document of the National Migration Registry (DPRNM). The cards will replace Foreign Identity Cards (RNEs), which will remain valid until their listed expiration dates.

What does the change mean? The CRNM is the new form of identification for foreign nationals who hold a temporary visa or a residence permit as well as for border residents. Refugee applicants will receive the DPRNM as identification without paying a government fee. Both the CRNM and the DPRNM will include the Brazilian tax ID, or CPF, number.

  • Implementation time frame: The issuance of CRNMs will begin Nov. 20. DPRNMs will be issued starting Oct. 1.
  • Impact on processing times: The introduction of new versions of ID cards for foreign nationals will result in longer processing times and may cause delays as Federal Police stations update their systems to accommodate the new cards.
    • In Sao Paulo, the Federal Police have temporarily suspended appointments for foreign national identification, but the station announced that it will return to normal scheduling later in October.
    • In Rio de Janeiro, the Federal Police have suspended appointments for identity cards and have not said when scheduling will resume.
  • Visas/permits affected: Identity cards for foreign nationals.
  • Business impact: Business schedules and start dates may be affected by delays to the issuance of IDs for foreign employees. 
  • Next steps: The government has not released information on whether applicants should continue to submit the CPF number for registration and/or residence permit applications.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should make sure foreign employees are aware of the upcoming changes to Brazilian ID cards and of potential delays until the system is normalized across Federal Police stations. Authorities are expected to adapt to the changes sometime in October, but employers should expect delays during this transition period. BAL and Deloitte will continue to monitor the change and inform clients when more information is made available.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.