On October 2, 2026, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil suspended consular services, citing unspecified security concerns. No reopening date has been announced. For employers with Brazilian national employees or hires, the practical effect is uncertainty around visa interviews and travel.
Who may be affected
- Employees who need a visa stamp to return to the U.S. (H-1B, L-1, O-1, and others)
- New hires and transferees awaiting initial visa interviews
- Dependents with scheduled consular appointments
- Green card applicants in consular processing
What employers and Brazilian employees should do now
- Identify exposure. Review which employees are in Brazil, planning travel there, or have interviews scheduled.
- Reconsider non-essential travel. If a visa stamp is required to return to the U.S., a trip to Brazil could leave an employee stranded.
- Check validity dates. Confirm visa expiration dates and I-94 validity for anyone who may need to travel.
- Build in buffer time. Delay start dates or project assignments where an interview may be canceled.
- Monitor official channels. Appointment cancellations and rescheduling instructions will come from the embassy and consulates, not from employers or counsel.
Meltzer Hellrung Perspective
The timing of this decision looks awfully suspicious with regard to the presidential election in Brazil. The situation may resolve with the outcome of the presidential election.
This situation is evolving, and we will update this post as official guidance is released. If your company has employees who may be affected, the attorneys at Meltzer Hellrung LLC are available to review your exposure and help you plan.
