Brazil’s new National Identity Card, known as the CIN (Carteira de Identidade Nacional), has been formally recognised as a valid travel document for entry into eight South American countries under a new Mercosur agreement, marking a significant step toward easier regional mobility across the continent.
What the Agreement Covers
The agreement applies to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It was reached at a Mercosur justice and interior ministers’ meeting in Paraguay and formalises the CIN as a recognised travel document in its own right for Brazilian citizens travelling to those countries.
Brazilian citizens already had the right to enter most of those countries for tourism using an identity document, but the new arrangement specifically recognises the CIN format, which is designed to meet international standards. Officials have said the measure is expected to come into effect in August 2026, pending the completion of remaining administrative steps in each country. Travellers should note that not every country is expected to implement the change at the same pace.
What the CIN Is
The CIN replaces the older state-based RG (Registro Geral) identity system, which varied across Brazil’s 26 states and the Federal District. The new card uses the CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Fisicas) tax number as a single national identifier, creating a unified credential linked to biometric data including fingerprints and a facial photograph.
The card includes a QR code and a machine-readable zone (MRZ), features designed to comply with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These features are intended to speed up identity checks at border posts and airports.
The card is available in both physical and digital formats. The digital version can be accessed through the Gov.br app, but authorities recommend carrying the physical card for international travel, as digital copies may not be accepted at all border crossings.
Rollout and Deadlines
More than 52 million CINs have already been issued across Brazil. First-time issuance is free of charge. The Ministry of Management and Innovation (MGI) has set a deadline of 31 December 2026 for citizens who rely on social-security or labour benefits to complete mandatory biometric enrolment. Citizens who have already registered biometric data with the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), hold a national driving licence or have a passport have until January 2028.
Integration tests with the National Civil Aviation Agency‘s Embarque Mais Seguro programme are scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, which would allow domestic airports to accept the CIN QR code at automatic boarding gates.
The CIN also shares a common biometric database with the Brazilian passport, driving licence and voter registry. A citizen who completes the biometric capture once can later renew a passport or request a cross-border travel card without repeat in-person appointments.
Advice for Travellers
Older identity cards may still be accepted in some cases, but officials have warned that damaged or out-of-date documents can cause problems at border posts. Travellers are advised to check the latest entry requirements with the destination country and their airline before departure.
The change is part of a broader push within Mercosur to reduce barriers to short-haul regional travel. Brazil signed a separate digital identity interoperability agreement with Uruguay in 2025, allowing more than 77 million Brazilians to access around 300 Uruguayan government services using their high-assurance Gov.br account. Industry observers expect Argentina and Paraguay to join that interoperability framework in 2026, creating what would effectively be a Mercosur digital identity zone.
Broader Context
The CIN agreement comes as Mercosur enters a period of increased international engagement. The bloc signed a landmark free trade agreement with the European Union in Asuncion, Paraguay, on 17 January 2026, after more than 25 years of negotiations. The deal, which entered provisional application from 1 May 2026, covers a combined market of more than 700 million people and is the largest free trade zone in the world by population.
