A brief guide presented by our team of lawyers for all those who wish to immigrate to Brazil from UK. The entry conditions as well as some of the main steps that are generally handled pre- and post-arrival are described in this article.
Each relocation is different and an important factor that determines the immigration procedure is the reason for the relocation – be it for study, employment, or investment purposes. This is why we recommend that British nationals reach out to our English-speaking team of Brazilian lawyers who can help answer any questions according to one’s particular situation.
Brazil is a country that can deliver an important cultural change for expats from the United Kingdom. Those who relocate here without having previously visited the country, even if only for tourism purposes, will find that certain adjustments are in order in terms of food, entertainment and the general approach to life.
Those who need ongoing assistance in all aspects related to their move can rely on our law firm in Brazil for complete legal assistance.
Table of Contents
What are the entry conditions for British nationals in Brazil?
A British national who enters Brazil can stay in the country without a visa for a maximum period of 90 days. After this period, one is entitled to submit an application for a visa extension for up to 90 days in addition, and this extension application is submitted to the Brazilian Federal Police.
However, those who wish to remain in the country will need to apply for the VITEM visa suitable to their purpose of stay. The VIVIS visa is the visitor visa, which also has several purposes but has a limited duration, as mentioned. The Temporary visa VITEM is issued for lengthier stays in the country suitable for purposes such as studying, and are listed below by our attorneys in Brazil.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa requirement to move to Brazil from UK | Visa-free travel for up to 90 days |
|
Types of temporary residence permits |
Performers visa, Student visa, Work visa, Religious visa, Journalism visa |
|
Documents for temporary residence permits |
a valid passport, a completed application form, proof of financial means to support oneself during the stay, and a clean criminal record certificate |
| Approximate time needed to obtain a temporary stay permit | 2-3 months |
| Residence permits for investors who want to relocate to Brazil from UK |
Yes, a minimum investment of BRL 500,000 is required |
| Temporary residence permit duration |
2 years |
| Post-arrival registration with the authorities |
Registration with municipality |
| UK permit holders can bring dependents to Brazil |
Yes |
| Facilities for UK nationals married to a Brazilian citizen |
A foreigner who is married to a Brazilian citizen may apply for permanent residence to live in Brazil |
| Minimum lawful stay before applying for permanent residence | At least 4 years |
| Minimum time in the country before applying for citizenship |
4 years |
| Naturalization requirements |
4 years of PR, ability to communicate in Portuguese, no criminal conviction |
| Dual citizenship |
Allowed |
| UK benefits available in Brazil |
Social security benefits, healthcare, pension, and availability of double tax treaties |
| Taxation of UK income in Brazil | Tax relief is available due to double tax treaties |
British nationals who wish to immigrate to Brazil from UK will need to apply for a VITEM visa according to their proven purpose of stay. Brazil temporary visa holders can stay in the country for more than 90 days. If you hold a temporary visa, you must register with the local office of the Brazilian Federal Police within 90 days of arriving in Brazil. You will be issued a migration registration card and granted temporary residency (usually one to three years). The registration card can be renewed before it expires. If you are interested to relocate to Brazil on this visa type, the services of our attorneys are at your disposal.
What are the main types of visas for long-term stays or to immigrate to Brazil from UK?
The following types of VITEM visas are available to those who immigrate to Brazil from UK:
- Study: for various types of courses including primary, secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, research or study exchange purposes;
- Teaching and research: for British nationals who will engage in scientific cooperation, academic extension programmes and teaching;
- Family: reunification on the grounds of marriage or on the grounds of a stable union;
- Work: several types of visas are available in this category for employment, technology transfer or technical assistance;
- Other purposes: investment, artists, athletes, religious purposes, health purposes.
If you wish to immigrate to Brazil from UK our team of lawyers will help you apply for the right type of visa. Please keep in mind that the application will depend on the chosen VITEM option and will include specific documents, such as proof of an employment relationship of proof of admission with a recognized university or research centre.
Some of the mandatory documents are the following:
- Passport;
- Birth certificate;
- Photograph;
- Electronic visa application form;
- Proof of financial means;
- Criminal record – issued by the Metropolitan Police in the UK or another UK-based agency.
Work visa application in Brazil for UK nationals
UK nationals can obtain a work visa to work in Brazil. The process, however, can be complicated. Here are the general steps to apply for a work visa in Brazil:
- Find a Brazilian company that is willing to sponsor your work visa and obtain a work contract;
- Obtain a temporary visa to enter Brazil. Or in case of any ambiguity, interact with our immigration lawyers for assistance;
- Gather the required documents, including a valid passport, a criminal background check, a medical certificate, and a Brazilian work contract;
- Schedule an appointment to submit your documents in person at the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in UK;
- Attend the appointment and submit your documents;
- Wait for the processing of your visa application. The processing time varies, but it usually takes about two weeks;
- Once your work visa has been approved, you will need to travel to Brazil within 90 days of the date it was issued.
The requirements and procedures for obtaining a work visa in Brazil can change at any time, so it is recommended to check with the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in the UK for the most up-to-date information. Or you are always welcome to get in touch with our immigration attorneys in Brazil. They can assist you in relocating to Brazil from UK on a work visa.
Besides a work visa, if you are immigrating to Brazil from UK on any other visa, our lawyers can also guide you through its application procedure.
Does Brazil offer a family visa?
Yes, Brazil offers a family visa to UK nationals who have family members living in Brazil. The family visa allows the visa holder to live and work in Brazil for an extended period. To apply for a family visa in Brazil, the UK national must have a family member who is a Brazilian citizen or who holds permanent residency in Brazil. The following family members may be eligible for a family visa:
- Spouse or partner;
- Children (including stepchildren and adopted children);
- Parents;
- Siblings.
The application process for a family visa in Brazil is similar to that of other types of visas. The UK national will need to gather the required documents, fill out the online application form, pay the visa fee, and attend an appointment at the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in the UK to submit their application. The required documents may include a valid passport, a birth or marriage certificate, proof of relationship with a Brazilian family member, and a criminal background check.
It is important to note that the requirements and procedures for obtaining a family visa in Brazil can be complicated for you to understand, so it is recommended to check with our Brazilian lawyers. They will not only answer your questions in detail but also offer you practical information regarding immigration to Brazil. The services of our lawyers are also at your disposal if you want to apply for Brazilian citizenship.
How UK nationals can obtain Brazilian residency?
To obtain permanent residency in Brazil, UK nationals must meet certain requirements and go through a formal application process.
Here are the general steps to apply for residency:
- Obtain a temporary visa for Brazil, which is typically valid for up to two years;
- Meet the eligibility criteria for permanent residency, which include being over the age of 18, having a clean criminal record, and demonstrating that you have a legitimate reason to stay in Brazil (such as work, study, or family);
- Gather the required documents, which may include a valid passport, a birth or marriage certificate, a criminal background check, and proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself and any dependents;
- Fill out the online application form for residency in Brazil, or get assistance from our lawyers in Brazil;
- Pay the required fees and submit your application to the Brazilian Federal Police;
- Attend an appointment at the Brazilian Federal Police to provide your fingerprints and have your photo taken;
- Wait for your application to be processed. The processing time can vary, but it typically takes several months;
- Once your application has been approved, you will need to apply for a Brazilian identity card (known as a “Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros” or RNE);
- Use your RNE to apply for a Brazilian work permit or other documentation that may be necessary for your situation.
It is recommended to check with the Brazilian Federal Police or our qualified immigration lawyer for updated information regarding permanent residence in Brazil.
Besides this, our lawyers can also assist you if you are planning to open a business in Brazil.
What are some of the financial aspects of the relocation?
Some of the consular fees imposed by the Brazil Consulate General in London are listed below by our lawyers:
- 100 £: the fee for a temporary visa of up to 180 days per stay;
- 215£: the visa fee for temporary visas with a duration of more than 180 days;
- 465£: the fee for the VITEM IV visa, the student visa for Brazil.
Our lawyers in Brazil can give you more details about how the visa payment fee is paid and when this payment should be made. We can help you handle all of the steps included in the process to immigrate to Brazil from UK.
Individual taxation in Brazil is performed as per the rules and regulations of the Brazilian Federal Revenue, the one in charge of taxation matters in the country. If you need to make submissions to this authority or have questions about tax compliance for foreign nationals, our attorneys in Brazil can assist you.
The final goal for a British national who chooses to immigrate to Brazil from UK is to perhaps apply for Brazilian nationality. According to law this is possible for foreigners who have been Brazilian residents for fifteen uninterrupted years and have had no criminal conviction. If you are interested, we can also give you details about Brazil citizenship by investment.
There are several documents that must be presented when applying for Brazilian citizenship, and they vary depending on the foreigner’s situation. But some requirements must be met in all cases. Your application might get rejected if any requirement is not fulfilled. You can also get in touch with our lawyers if you need any assistance in this regard.
Contact our law firm in Brazil for complete immigration assistance. Our team will make sure that your transition is as smooth as possible and that you meet all of the requirements for employment or other purposes related to permanent stays. If you are interested to move and get a residency permit in Brazil, our lawyers can assist you. For instance, to apply for a pensioner’s visa, you must be able to demonstrate a monthly income of more than USD 2,000. You may additionally get visas for two dependents under this visa if you can establish an extra income of USD 1,000 per dependent. This visa must be obtained through your local Brazilian embassy or consulate. You will be required to present a statement from your agency demonstrating its obligation for making your pension payments, as well as a bank declaration proving that you satisfy the necessary financial conditions.