CPF for foreigners: what are the rules and how to obtain one?

It’s not difficult to issue a CPF number for foreigners in Brazil, as long as you follow some steps. A CPF number is needed for foreigners to invest in local businesses, open bank accounts, and others. In this text, you will understand how to apply for one!

If you wish to be assisted by our specialized lawyers to regularize your situation in Brazil, click here to access the service area and request yours.

How to issue a CPF number for foreigners?

To obtain a CPF for foreigners, it’s necessary to access the Receita Federal online service and fill in the spaces with the requested documents. You can access this service by clicking here.

Thus, the person might be in Brazil or in their country of origin and still apply for the CPF, to register or to regularize Brazilian businesses and taxes. Next, we will explain which documents to use and how to do so if you are not a resident of Brazil.

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What is the purpose of having a CPF?

The purpose of a CPF is to make tax identification for the Income Tax of individuals, creating the possibility to register someone in various institutions and for several services such as banks, businesses, public contests, and credit cards, among others.

How to issue a CPF for foreigners not residing in Brazil?

To obtain a CPF from foreigners who do not reside in Brazil, it is necessary to attend a Consular Post. You can check if you need to schedule at the post closest to you by clicking here. The steps are:

• Access the Federal Revenue website here;
• Complete the electronic form and submit the information;
• Print the form with the protocol number generated by the site, or if it is not possible to print, make sure to write down the number;
• Take the printed form or protocol number + copies of personal documents at a Consular Post.

Another way to issue the CPF while in the country of origin is through a representative in Brazil.
To do so, the following documents must be presented to the Federal Revenue:

• Representative’s identification document;
• Public instrument of power of attorney, or private instrument apostilled (according to the Hague Convention) or legalized at the Brazilian consulate;
• Representative’s document proving his/her registration with the CPF.

Required documents for issuing a foreigner’s CPF

The required documents to issue a CPF for foreigners vary according to age. Thus, if the applicant is over 16 years of age, the documents he can use according to the Brazilian government are:

• Document proving the identity and nationality of the interested party, such as the name of the parents, place and of birth;
• Voter Title (for Brazilians between 18 and 70 years old) or Electoral Justice Document, provided that it certifies the impossibility or non-existence of mandatory electoral enlistment;

If clarification is needed, the Superior Electoral Court can be consulted by clicking here.

The documents for applicants under the age of 16, according to the Brazilian government, are as follows:

• Document proving the identity and nationality of the interested party, such as the name of the parents, place and of birth;
• Identification document of one of the parents, guardian, curator, or guardian by a court decision;
• Additionally, you can check other specific instructions from the Consular Post of interest here.

How long does it take to issue a CPF?

There is no exact answer as to how long it takes to issue the CPF for foreigners since it depends on the Consular whom the assistance was requested from. Nevertheless, it is possible to track the request online.

Hence, for further information, you can contact the Federal Revenue here.

If you wish to be assisted by our specialized lawyers to regularize your situation in Brazil, click here to access the service area and request yours.

Moreover, to understand more about permanent residency for foreigners in Brazil, you can learn everything about the topic in the text we made by clicking here (article in Portuguese).