03/27/23. @ExpatUSATravels. No Permanent Visas were issued after November 2017; all visas issued after that date are Temporary Visas in the VITEM series. Permanent Visas (VIPER) issued before that date continue to be valid, and holders of those visas over age 60 had CIEs ( often misnamed "RNE"s, the predecessor of the CRNM) with "Indeterminada" in the "Validade" space. However regardless of that, under the current law those cards now must be renewed and replaced with CRNMs nine years after their issue dates. So during the next several years, all the old "indeterminada" CIEs will be retired, and replaced with CRNMs.
CRNMs for people over 60 show "Indeterminado" for "Validade", at least for those in Brazil based on Family Unification. I don't know how that will work for holders of VITEM XIV visas -- Retirement and Digital Nomad -- or other residence visas in the VITEM series. When the first of the new Retirement Visas is processed for renewal, that will tell us a lot. (Corrected from original response.)
CRNMs of residents who entered Brazil on Tourist Visas/Visa Waivers and upgraded their status through an Authorization of Residency from the Polícia Federal should expect the same renewal term as holders of the corresponding visa.
In dealing with airline agents at check-in:
-- A traveler with unexpired CRNM (or CIE for a VIPER holder) and an unexpired visa should be able to board a plane for Brazil with no problem (a VIPER holder has a never-expiring visa, so should hold onto the old passport that contains the visa, just in case).
A traveler with an unexpired CRNM/CIE and an expired visa should be able to board a plane for Brazil with no problem, and should have no problem at Passport Control in Brazil, as a legal resident of Brazil.
-- A traveler with an expired CRNM/CIE and an unexpired visa should STILL be able to board a plane for Brazil with no problem. They may need to convince the agent at Passport Control that they plan to renew their status ASAP.
-- A traveler with an expired CRNM/CIE and an expired visa, or no visa, is going to have a problem boarding a plane, and a problem at Immigration in Brazil. My advice between now and October 1 would be for that person to enter Brazil on a visa waiver as a tourist, and regularize his/her status with the PF ASAP after arrival.
If for some reason that's not possible before visa waivers are halted on October 1, the person should contact the nearest Brazilian Consulate to obtain a new visa, preferably the one corresponding to their old resident status.