INTRODUCTION:
International migrants, refugees, and stateless persons (MIRA) are more susceptible to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and constitute a priority group in tuberculosis infection (TBI) control strategies¹. Preventive Tuberculosis Treatment (TPT), although fundamental, has its effectiveness limited by barriers that hinder follow-up and compromise the care cascade².

OBJECTIVES:
To analyze the time along the care cascade among international migrants, refugees, and stateless persons and to identify possible structural and operational barriers to care.

METHODS:
This is a prospective cohort study conducted in five Brazilian cities: Boa Vista (RR), Belém (PA), Brasília (DF), Ribeirão Preto (SP), and Foz do Iguaçu (PR). The MIRA population was screened using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and, in positive cases, underwent chest radiography. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, including calculation of mean, minimum, and maximum values, using Jamovi software (version 2.6.26), considering the interval between TST administration and treatment initiation.

RESULTS:
A total of 910 migrants were screened across the study sites, of whom 137 (15.1%) tested positive for TBI. Among these, 55 (40.2%) were from Boa Vista, 46 (33.6%) from Belém, 17 (12.4%) from Foz do Iguaçu, 11 (8.0%) from Brasília, and 8 (5.8%) from Ribeirão Preto. Regarding the time along the care cascade, the mean was 32.2 days in Boa Vista (Min: 1; Max: 92), 120 days in Belém (Min: 30; Max: 264), 15.7 days in Foz do Iguaçu (Min: 3; Max: 62), 53.3 days in Brasília (Min: 3; Max: 384), and 95.8 days in Ribeirão Preto (Min: 57; Max: 154).

CONCLUSIONS:
The time along the care cascade was found to be prolonged, particularly in Belém and Ribeirão Preto, highlighting operational challenges in managing the interval between TST administration and treatment initiation, as well as the need for targeted interventions to improve this process.