We are illegal immigrants

March 16 in Brazil ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C

After Asunción we travelled northwards through Paraguay to the border town of Bella Vista, and then it's neighbour Bela Vista in Brazil.

The logistics of the journey were tricky since buses only go as far as 100km from the border, so I searched and searched until I found a taxi driver who would take us. I did find a number at the last stop of the bus, and through WhatsApp, I texted him and set things up. Turns out he actually lives 100km to the East. So he charged us $6 more 🤔. Total price $100.

At the border, we sail through because it's completely unmanned at 530pm. That's a problem because in Brazil you need to show you left Paraguay before you get the stamp to enter. So we went back to Paraguay at 8 am and got those stamps in our passports. Next, Brazilian immigration, except there isn't any. So the Paraguay border tells us just go to Bonito International Airport, where we are headed anyway.

After a bus ride of 3 hours we arrive, and ask about the airport. "There isn't one," comes the reply. So reception calls immigration and they say go to Campo Grande International Airport., where we plan to be in 5 days' time.

I checked out the airport online, and there are no international flights, so does it have immigration? Seems unlikely, and my hunch is correct. So, 6 days after entering Brazil, we still haven't found any immigration post, and this is risky because airlines are supposed to check visas/ visa free entry stamps. So, at the airport, we ask the federal police what to do. "I'll fine you, and you have to leave the country, give me all passports and wait over there." He closes his office door and dissappear for a long time, but eventually returns smiling. "Sign here and here." Basically, we have to sign that we entered clandestinely , and we agree to pay a $20 fine, and that we will self deport in 60 days. Oh, and no fine for the children.

So, in a very roundabout way, we can stay in Brazil for 60 days quite legally even though we entered illegally.

Note: When we left Brazil, the police did check that we had paid our fines.Read more