Residence visa for foreign retirees in Brazil

Did you know that the Brazilian government is trying to attract foreign retirees to live in Brazil? This possibility can bring about different cultural exchanges and can increase investment in the country. Learn how to obtain a residence visa for foreign retirees in Brazil.

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Foreign retirees

Foreign retirees are welcome in many countries around the world. And, in the same way, it’s common to find retired people who want to live in another country in search of a better quality of life or a more attractive cost of living.

For this reason, several countries encourage and apply the policy of granting residence visas to those who want to invest in the country, that is, transfer their retirement from one country to another. In this way, by transferring their retirement, the foreigner stimulates the local economy. Since, many times, they are stable immigrants who end up boosting the real estate, commercial, industrial, and tourism markets in the region.

Temporary visa and residence permit in Brazil for foreign retirees

The Brazilian government has a major goal of attracting this segment of the population that is so sought after on the international scene. As we have said, this is mainly to increase investment in the country and develop the real estate sector.

For this reason, in October 2019, Normative Resolution No. 40 was legalized, which deals with:

“The granting and procedures for issuing a temporary visa and residence permit based on retirement and/or survivor’s pension benefit”.

In this sense, a retired foreigner can apply for a temporary visa if he or she proves a monthly transfer to Brazil of an amount equal to or greater than US$2,000.00 (two thousand US dollars). However, it is important to remember that the amount of the retirement and/or survivor’s pension may be lower, as long as the retired foreigner proves the transfer of the difference in value from other sources, in a hasty manner.

Documents required for a residence visa for foreign retirees in Brazil

Retired immigrants who wish to live in Brazil must present the following documentation to the consular authority to begin the process:

Valid travel document;
International immunization certificate, when required by the National Health Surveillance Agency – Anvisa;
Health insurance valid in the national territory;
Proof of payment of consular fees;
Completed visa application form;
Proof of means of transportation for entry into the national territory; and
Certificate of criminal record issued by the country of origin or, at the discretion of the consular authority, and in accordance with the peculiarities of the country where the visa was requested.

In addition, the following must be presented:

Proof of retirement and the ability to transfer to the country an amount, in foreign currency, equal to or greater than US$ 2,000.00 (two thousand US dollars);
OR proof of receipt of a survivor’s pension in an amount equal to or greater than US$2,000.00 (two thousand US dollars);
Other regular sources of income to supplement the required amount, in case the pension or retirement does not reach the required amount.

Therefore, even if the retired foreigner is in Brazil, it’s possible to apply for a residence permit through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, as long as the documents as requested are presented.

It’s essential to remember that documents in a foreign language must be sworn translated and apostilled, in accordance with The Hague Apostille Convention.

Residence permit term

According to Normative Resolution No. 41, the residence permit term is indefinite. This was one of the changes to Resolution No. 41, since the previous one provided for a residence permit term of only two years for retired foreigners.

Therefore, the visa and residence permit do not need to be renewed every two years.

If you would like legal assistance from our team, send us a message on WhatsApp.