Foreign citizens who want to immigrate to Brazil can apply for several types of residence permits. These are granted based on specific criteria and in accordance with the reason for relocation.
You are welcome to get in touch with our experienced lawyers at our law firm in Brazil if you are planning to move here. They will guide you through each step of visa application and document submission.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) Yes/No |
No |
|
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (Yes/No) |
Yes |
|
Types of visas available |
Tourist visa Temporary visa Permanent Visa Diplomatic/ Official |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) |
approximately 2 months |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | Two years |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) |
4 to 6 months |
| Investor visa availability (Yes/No) |
Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | Four years of legal residency |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme available (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Tax benefits for expats | No concessions or benefits are available for expatriates. |
| The immigration policy of Brazil | Brazil has a diverse immigration policy that promotes cultural diversity |
|
Immigration documentation |
Immigrants must carry valid identification documents and visa papers while in Brazil |
|
Permanent residence |
Foreigners can apply for permanent residence after residing in Brazil for at least 4 years |
| Immigration authorities | The Brazilian Ministry of Labor and the Federal Police are responsible for immigration matters |
| Job opportunities |
Brazil offers employment opportunities in various sectors, including technology, tourism, and agriculture |
| Language |
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. It is important to have at least a basic understanding of Portuguese before moving to Brazil |
| Other requirements for obtaining Brazilian citizenship |
Ability to communicate in Portuguese, and no prior criminal conviction |
| Dual citizenship |
Allowed |
| Healthcare |
Brazil has a public healthcare system called Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), which provides free or low-cost healthcare to its citizens. Expats may also opt for private healthcare options |
| Education | Brazil has a well-developed education system, including public and private schools and universities |
| Cost of living |
The cost of living in Brazil varies depending on the city and region |
Table of Contents
Types of Brazilian visas
There are two primary types of visas for Brazil. Visit visa to Brazil (VIVIS), also known as a tourist visa, and the other is Brazil temporary visa (VITEM). These visas are only issued for short-term visits of up to 90 days. The following are the many types of visit visas for Brazil:
- tourist visa;
- business visa;
- transit visa.
Temporary Visas for Brazil (VITEM), these are long-term visas, meaning they allow the holder to stay in Brazil for more than 90 days. If you are granted a temporary visa, you must register with the Brazilian Federal Police (DPF) within 90 days of your arrival in Brazil. You will receive your migration registration card (CRNM) and a residency period (usually one to three years). The registration card can be renewed before it expires. The following are the many forms of temporary visas for Brazil:
- work visa;
- student visa;
- visa for family reunion.
If you are planning to relocate to Brazil and need more information regarding visas, you can rely on our lawyers for information. They will provide you with comprehensive guidance about the types of visas available in Brazil.
How to move to Brazil based on employment
One of the main ways through which foreign citizens can immigrate and obtain temporary residency in Brazil is employment.
The Brazilian work visa (VITEM V) is issued to foreign nationals after finding employment and signing an employment contract with a Brazilian employer. However, the new employer needs to file for approval at the Brazilian Ministry of Labor before filing for the work visa.
One can file the visa application at the Brazilian embassy or consulate of his or her choice once the employer receives authorization from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor. Depending on the sector to work in, one can apply for a variety of work visas. The maximum duration of work permits is 2 years.
Another alternative is the recent digital nomad visa. With a residence visa for digital nomads, one can work remotely and remain in Brazil lawfully.
Our Brazilian lawyers can advise and assist in immigrating to this country based on this type of visa.
We also have an infographic on this subject:
How to immigrate to Brazil for family reunion purposes
The Brazilian family reunion visa (VITEM XI) is available for people who are related to Brazilian residence permit holders.
The following family members are eligible to apply for a family reunion visa:
- spouse or partner of a foreign national holding a Brazilian residency visa;
- children or descendants of a foreign person holding a Brazilian residency permit;
- grandparents or parents of a foreign national in Brazil with a residency permit;
- siblings of a foreign national holding a Brazilian residency permit, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.
Please note that this type of visa has a one-year validity period.
Feel free to address our law firm in Brazil if you are interested in moving here based on this type of visa. One of our immigration lawyers will help you apply for family reunification.
Rules for tourists in Rio de Janeiro
Before executing your plan of immigration to Rio de Janeiro, you must know these requirements, because these should be strictly followed:
- The first entrance into Brazil must be made within 90 days of receiving the visa;
- A foreign citizen may stay in Brazil for up to 90 days, and his/her stay may be extended for another 90 days once he/she has entered the country, for a total of six months;
- The application for a visa extension must be submitted at least two weeks before the visa expires;
- Tourist work, whether paid or unpaid, is completely illegal in Brazil;
- The Brazilian Immigration officials issue all visitors with an Embarkation/Disembarkation card, which must be filled out, signed, and presented to authorities upon arrival and departure.
If you are planning to move to Rio de Janeiro, you must comply with the information provided above. Furthermore, you can also rely on our skilled Brazilian lawyers if you want to apply for citizenship in this country. It is recommended to get the services of experts when you apply for citizenship in Brazil. Because any negligence might lead to the rejection of your application. To avoid such mistakes, you can get legal assistance from our immigration lawyers. With their legal services in Brazil, you can submit the correct documents and apply for citizenship without facing unnecessary delays.
Immigrate to Brazil and obtain permanent residency
There are several circumstances in which a foreign national may apply for permanent residence in Brazil.
The Brazilian permanent residence permit (VIPER) can be issued to:
- foreign nationals who plan to stay for more than 2 years and are married to a Brazilian citizen or permanent resident;
- retired individuals who receive a regular pension;
- qualified staff members or professors;
- scientists or researchers;
- administrators, investors, or directors of businesses located in ZPE (free trade area); investors;
- members of religious orders.
The application may list dependents such as parents, spouses, and dependents under the age of 24.
Permanent residency is also available to foreign investors if they can demonstrate their financial capability to make a direct investment in Brazil. The Ministry of Labor sets the minimum investment required for the investor visa. The amount is approximately R$500,000 for a single investor or roughly R$600,000 if it is made through setting up a Brazilian company. R$150,000 in technological or research expenditures, as well as the hiring of 10 Brazilian workers, may be eligible.
Migration Law and Policy in Brazil
The restrictions imposed by the United States and the United Kingdom on immigration encourage people to choose other countries for migration and some of them prefer to migrate to Brazil. Brazil has encouraged migration by passing a New Migration Law in 2017 that explains rules and regulations regarding migration and facilitates. Our Brazilian immigration lawyers also proceed according to those regulations.
Brazilian state is also emphasizing Humanitarian laws by allowing the refugees to stay in Brazil while the other states around the globe are restricting the immigration of refugees. In the New Migration Law, the implementing decree no. 9199 explains that refugees are welcomed in Brazil and they can apply for resident status while in the country.
In the New Migration Law, there is no permanent visa; either a person can get a temporary visa (which is issued for a certain period) or a residence permit (which is either based on definite terms or indefinite terms). Brazilian immigrant law not only attracts workers, but also persons to study in the prestigious universities of this country. University students prefer Brazil because the law allows those students to apply for a work visa too.
If you need more information about the new immigration law of Brazil, you can get the legal help of our lawyers. Our knowledgeable lawyers in Brazil can help you understand the provision of this law. Furthermore, if you want to apply for a study visa in Brazil, you can get in touch with our lawyers. In addition to the requirements of a study visa, they can also help you learn the criteria for other types of visas in Brazil.
What is the role of an immigration lawyer in Brazil?
The Brazilian lawyers act as legal consultants to the immigrants and guide them through the visa application, citizenship, employment for immigrants, and deportation issues, etc. Our Brazil immigration lawyer is a mediator between immigration authorities and immigrates. Other than these matters, Brazilian lawyers do appear before immigration judges if any of their clients face problems in an immigration hearing. Immigration lawyers also resolve the matters of their clients involving interaction between criminal laws and immigration. This is how a law firm in Brazil assists people to successfully immigrate to Brazil.
Immigration lawyers in Brazil help with more than just assisting a person in the documentation. There are some other cases that also crucially need the assistance of a law firm in Brazil, such as:
- If an applicant has any criminal record in past and he is criminally liable under Brazil Penal Code;
- Prior immigration application has been denied by the immigration authorities of Brazil;
- If an applicant has a serious medical condition;
- If an applicant is a layperson and does not know what to do next after submitting the application.
These are general situations that can lead an immigrant to the office of our law firm in Brazil where he/she can get the assistance of our lawyers. But besides these situations, some matters are very complex for those who want to immigrate to Brazil and can only be handled by an immigration lawyer from the respective country. You are also welcome to get in touch with our lawyers if you need any legal assistance regarding family law in Brazil. For instance, if you are facing court proceedings related to a divorce case, you can ask our lawyers for their legal assistance. Our Brazilian attorneys will provide you with legal representation in the court of law. If the divorce involves the custody of children, this makes matters only more complicated. But with the legal assistance of our lawyers in Brazil, you will be able to get through this process swiftly. After relocation, if you also want to apply for Brazilian citizenship, get in touch with our lawyers. They can guide you about the criteria. Brazil does not stop individuals to acquire multiple nationalities. But also keep in mind when it comes to asserting some rights, such as requesting consular aid when you are already regarded as a local, having several nationalities may have restrictions.
Rio de Janeiro visa application procedure
You must apply for a visa to Brazil well ahead of your immigration to Rio de Janeiro. Most embassies or consulates strive to respond to your application within 5 days. However, certain applications may take longer occasionally up to 30 days depending on your nationality. Expedited applications are not permitted, you must factor in the processing time of the embassy or consulate with whom you are dealing. When you have decided which embassy or consulate to apply to, the next step is to follow these instructions for applying for a Brazil visa:
- The first step is to make an appointment with the embassy or consulate in your area. Because Brazilian embassies and consulates do not accept walk-in applications, you must arrange an appointment to visit them in person. Our lawyers in Brazil can help you make an appointment;
- The following step is to fill out your application form;
- You must collect all required documentation for the visa you are applying for. If you do not, you may have to reschedule your appointment or have your application denied;
- You must also present original papers as well as photocopies of all paperwork;
- You will also need to pay the necessary visa cost when you visit the embassy or consulate;
- In the end, collect your passport from the embassy.
For carrying out the plan of relocation to Rio de Janeiro, you have to follow this visa procedure. If you still have any questions, you can rely on our immigration lawyers in Rio de Janeiro. Their updated assistance can help you avoid any delays in the visa processing. Brazil is the main international tourist destination in South America, provides a variety of options for adventure, and business. Member nations of the European Union are among the countries that do not require a visa to visit Brazil for stays between 30 and 180 days. However, nations that are not free from visa requirements, such as Australia, Canada, Japan.
Is the Brazil visa extendible?
Yes, every form of Brazil visa can be extended. You must apply for a visa extension to the Brazilian Federal Police’s local office (DPF). You are required to submit the application two weeks before your visa expiration date. The Federal Police Department decides on visa extensions. You can also apply for visa extension with the legal assistance of our lawyers in Brazil. Furthermore, if you are facing issues in Brazil regarding your residency, consult with our lawyers. For instance, if you have been out of the country for the past two years, then your Brazilian residency permit expires. In such a situation you are required to re-apply for residency. Our lawyers in Brazil can provide you with practical assistance with the application procedure.
Brazil visa-fee guide
The fees for Brazil visas are as follows:
- Fee for a visitor/tourist visa is 80,00 USD (for all countries, except the ones below);
- Angola: 180,00 USD;
- Algeria: 85,00 USD;
- Australia: 120,00 USD;
- China: 115,00 USD;
- United States of America: 160,00 USD;
- Diplomatic, official, and courtesy visas are all free of charge.
Fees may differ in various countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, or certain EU member states. The time it takes to get a Brazil visa varies depending on which Embassy or Consulate is handling your application. However, you should expect to wait 10 to 15 days after submitting your entire application. Long-term visas can take a little longer.
Why choose to immigrate to Brazil?
People generally seek to have the best possible opportunities, like doing business, and Brazil is an attractive country from this point of view, especially for those who want to immigrate to Brazil. This country is constantly showing a steady growth rate in its economy. It is home to one-third of wildlife species in the world because it is gifted with Amazon rainforests. Besides diversity in wildlife, Brazil is open to all kinds of cultures and people feel at home in Brazil. The country of Brazil further offers awesome sights, amazing beaches, free public healthcare centers, and a fast-growing economy. Undoubtedly, Brazil is home to dreams and people are migrating even from the US to Brazil for the sake of enjoying a livelihood in Brazil. So, if you plan to move to Brazil for business due to steady growth in its economy, you can rely on the legal services of our lawyers. They can guide you regarding the business structures available in Brazil and help you start a business from scratch in this country.
We also have a video on the immigration procedure:
Furthermore, you can further obtain the legal assistance of our Brazilian lawyers if you need to acquire business licenses and permits.
Population statistics in Brazil
According to the most recent data:
- the population of Brazil was approximately 220.1 million at the beginning of 2024;
- Brazil is the 7th largest country in the world in terms of population;
- it also represents 2.69% of the world’s population;
- of the total population (191,322,786 in 2023), 88.4% live in urban areas;
- the median age is 33.6 years.
The persons who want to relocate to Brazil can contact our law firm for further information. We will save their time and energy by getting their work done professionally. After relocation, if you also want to apply for Brazilian citizenship, get in touch with our lawyers.