Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

Subscribe via RSS ↗ · 5 entries shown

Country All countriesAQAntarcticaAUAustraliaBRBrazilCACanadaCNChina (Mainland)EGEgyptFRFranceDEGermanyHKHong KongIEIrelandITItalyJPJapanMXMexicoMAMoroccoNLNetherlandsNZNew ZealandPTPortugalSGSingaporeZASouth AfricaKRSouth KoreaESSpainAEUnited Arab EmiratesGBUnited KingdomUSUnited States
Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
In force 1 Jul 2024
In force Residency

Polícia Federal migration-processing substantially digitalised

Polícia Federal's online migration-services platform was substantially expanded through 2024 — online RNM (residence card) renewal applications, digital appointment booking, and integrated document submission. Physical attendance required only for biometrics. Materially reduces the historic in-person-queuing friction.

Who it affects: All non-Brazilian residents and applicants interacting with Polícia Federal for RNM issuance.

Polícia Federal — Migração ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jul 2024
In force Residency

Digital RNM card / CRNM-Digital rollout

Polícia Federal began issuing the digital RNM card (CRNM-Digital) alongside the physical card from mid-2024 — allowing residents to present identification via a government-verified mobile application. Material for everyday interactions with banks, airlines, and service providers; some legacy systems continue to require the physical card.

Who it affects: New and renewing foreign residents in Brazil.

Polícia Federal — Migração ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Residency

Ukrainian and Afghan humanitarian visa programmes continue

The humanitarian-reception programmes for Ukrainian (since 2022) and Afghan (since 2021) nationals remain in force through 2024–2025. Simplified consular processing, automatic residence-visa eligibility, and accelerated RNM issuance. Approximately 150,000 Ukrainians and 30,000 Afghans have been admitted under these programmes.

Who it affects: Ukrainian and Afghan nationals seeking humanitarian reception in Brazil.

Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública — Migrações ↗ · Itamaraty — Ministério das Relações Exteriores ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Oct 2023
In force Residency

Colombia joined MERCOSUL Residence Agreement as associate state

Colombia's accession to the MERCOSUL Residence Agreement as an associate state took effect from October 2023 — Colombian nationals now have access to the simplified MERCOSUL residence pathway (2-year initial residence with minimal documentation, convertible to permanent after 2 years).

Who it affects: Colombian nationals seeking Brazilian residence.

Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública — Migrações ↗ · Itamaraty — Ministério das Relações Exteriores ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Residency

Lula III administration inaugurated — stable migration policy

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was inaugurated on 1 January 2023, beginning the third non-consecutive Lula administration. Immigration policy has been largely stable — the Lei de Migração 2017 framework remains intact, with operational focus on processing capacity, digitalisation, and humanitarian reception (Ukrainian, Afghan refugees). No major legislative reform attempted in the first three years of the administration.

Who it affects: Broad migration-policy direction; no major structural reforms enacted to date.

Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública — Migrações ↗ · verified 2026-04-19