Brazilian passport

The front cover of a contemporary Brazilian passport, adopted in December 2006, with its dark-blue cover The front cover of the Brazilian biometric passport, adopted in December 2010 Sample identification page of 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. The Brazilian passport is the official document for foreign travel issued by the Brazilian government, through the Brazilian Federal Police. It is unclear from the references so far whether Brazilian citizens need a current or expired passport in order to re-enter Brasil. A new model was officially introduced in December 2006 that complies with both Mercosul and ICAO standards, but as of February 2009, the previous model, three decades old, is still being issued at some places. So, in practice there are two models. As a rule, Brazilian passports are valid for five years 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. However, 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 other Mercosul countries (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), as well as to Bolivia, Colombia, Peru or Chile. For these countries, they may use just their domestic identification cards, issued by federal governments. Contents 1 The "green" (old) and "blue" (new) models 1.1 The "blue" passport's features 2 Issuing process 3 Special passports 4 Gallery of historic images 5 See also 6 References 7 External links 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 gradually introduced to the Federal Police's several issuing posts throughout the country. 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. As of February 2009, old-model passports have not yet been completely phased out. They are still issued at minor Federal Police issuing posts in smaller or more remote cities throughout the country, and at most diplomatic missions abroad, where the necessary digital equipment and information systems for acquiring and processing the holder's biometric and other data have not yet been implemented. Under certain circumstances, old-model passports are issued even at posts where the new systems have been implemented, in cases such as extreme emergencies that require an overnight issue with no time for the usual processing by the digital system and its additional security checks and procedures. Thus, for the time being, both models are issued at the same time in different places and circumstances, and both are going to be seen at international border crossings and points of entry at least for some more years. Old green passports have the same legal recognition as new-model ones and will be valid until the expiration date printed or stamped on them. 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. This passport currently does not contain an RFID chip, but it does 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.2 It was announced by the Brazilian Federal Police that, starting in November 2010, the Brazilian passport will now be issued with an RFID chip. [1], [2], [3], [4] 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 February 2009, the passport issuing fee is R$ 156.07 (BRL) for the new model, and R$ 89.71 for the old model. 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: state-issued ID card or other officially recognised form of identification; voter registration certificate, with proof of having voted in the latest elections or legally justified the absence (voting is compulsory in Brazil); Federal Revenue Secretariat (income tax) registration certificate (known as "CPF", will be waived if the number already appears on the ID document, which is common); receipt of payment of the passport fee; application form printed from the on-line page. If applicable: military service, conscription or waiver certificate (for males 18 through 45 years old); previous passport, if any (regardless of validity); two 5 × 7-cm photographs (for the old-model passport only); marriage certificate; judicial name change authorisation or sentence; naturalisation certificate. Special passports Other types of Brazilian passports are issued with different colors3, but all will incorporate the new design and security features: Red: diplomatic passport Green: official passport (for officers on duty for the Brazilian government, but without diplomatic immunity) Brown: laissez-passer for foreigners to travel to Brazil under special circumstances Yellow: for holders of refugee status in Brazil Light blue: passport for emergency repatriation of Brazilians Gallery of historic images Old (dark green) version of the Brazilian passport, in use since the late 1970s and still issued at minor Federal Police posts, with the same legal value. Sample identification page of old-model ("green") Brazilian passport. This model's original design in the 1970s predated widespread computer technology, so data are either typewritten or stamped, there is no machine-readable code, and an ordinary photograph is glued to the page. A plain adhesive plastic sheet protects the page. Even older model, issued until the 1970s See also Andean passport Visa requirements for Brazilian citizens References ^ http://www.brazilsf.org/other_brazilian_passport.htm ^ "Get to know the new Brazilian passport" (in Portuguese/English) (PDF). Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations. 2007-05-31. http://www.abe.mre.gov.br/apoio/Novo%20Passaporte.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-15.  ^ "Portal do SERPRO - Novo passaporte será emitido a partir de janeiro" (in Portuguese). http://www.serpro.gov.br/noticias-antigas/noticias-2005-1/20050506_11. Retrieved 2008-12-15.  External links Get to know the new Brazilian passport - Brazilian Foreign Relations Ministry Chip deixará passaporte brasileiro mais seguro e caro a partir de novembro v · d · ePassports (gallery) By continent Africa Algeria · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cameroon · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · DR Congo · Rep. 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