How can a foreigner live in Brazil?

Brazil has an international reputation for being a welcoming and friendly country to foreigners who decide to leave their home countries and officially live in Brazilian territory. However, it’s natural for doubts to arise about how to live in Brazil. After all, how can a foreigner live in Brazil? What documents to present and what to actually do to avoid problems upon arrival?

Understand the main steps on how a foreigner can make a good move to Brazil.

If you need help from our specialized legal team to live in Brazil, click here and request assistance from us.

How can a foreigner live in Brazil?

A foreigner can live in Brazil through a temporary or permanent residence permit. However, until he obtains them, he must go through other steps. The first is to request and obtain a visa, when required, so that you can come to Brazil. Then, when he arrives in the country, he can start his residency application process.

Therefore, foreigners need to pay attention to their particular situation, which must fit into the following hypotheses for granting the visa:

• study;
• humanitarian welcome;
• health treatment;
• work;
• remote work;
• job offer;
• voluntary service;
• investments in Brazil;
• family meeting;
• sporting activities;
• refugees and stateless people.

Therefore, you need to be careful and choose your visa correctly, according to the purpose of your trip.

How can a foreigner have a permanent visa in Brazil?

A foreigner can have a permanent visa in Brazil through a residence permit for an indefinite period, as long as he meets the requirements of Brazilian laws. In summary, the requirements are:

• be in Brazil legally;
• have justification for staying;
• not have legal impediments, such as conviction of a crime without “recovery”.

However, different situations may generate different specific requirements. For example, whoever comes to Brazil on a family reunion visa and their justification is based on that meeting, then the bond with the caller (family member who wishes to reunite) must remain. In other words, if he requested a family reunion for marriage, he must remain married.

Furthermore, foreigners have the option of requesting the transformation of their residence permit into an indefinite one at the end of the term of the provisional residence permit. The deadline for this provisional authorization, also called temporary or fixed-term, varies depending on the type of visa or residence justification.

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How long can a foreigner stay in Brazil?

The time a foreigner can stay in Brazil varies depending on the type of visa or residence permit he or she has requested. For example, a foreigner can stay as a tourist in Brazil, normally for a period of 90 days, with it being possible, in some cases, to extend it for another 90 days (depending on the country of origin). On the other hand, foreigners who have a residence permit for a period of 2 years can stay that long. Digital Nomads receive a 12-month visa, but can renew for up to 3 years.

Therefore, the important thing is that you evaluate the purpose of your trip and request a visa and/or residence permit accordingly!

However, if you definitely want to establish permanent residence in the country or even become a Brazilian citizen, but don’t know what the best option is in your case, the ideal is to speak to a migration lawyer.

If you would like to speak to our team, click here to request assistance.

How long can a foreigner stay in Brazil after applying for a residence permit?

Foreigners interested in applying for a residence permit can stay in Brazilian territory for up to 2 years with the first stage of authorization. This period may be shorter, according to the Brazilian Government’s assessment. However, after your application expires, it can be renewed or transformed into a permanent residence permit. However, you need to check which of the two options, renewal or transformation, your situation allows you to do.

Can a foreigner live in Brazil without a visa?

Foreigners without a valid visa are not permitted to live in Brazilian territory. A foreigner who is in Brazil as a tourist, for example, and who decides to live in Brazil, must first check whether he meets the requirements to have a residence permit. Afterward, he must request a residence permit in the appropriate modality, as soon as possible and, finally, forward his documents, RNE-CRNM.

Can a foreigner from Mercosur live in Brazil without a visa?

Foreigners from countries that are part of Mercosur or countries bordering Brazil, in a certain way, can live in Brazil without a visa. However, they must apply for a residence permit. This is because they can enter the country without a visa, and upon entering, they can apply for a residence permit without needing to present a visa.

However, to establish residence, they must obtain authorization.

There is a need to have an identification document from the country of origin, in addition to other required documents.

Can a foreigner live in Brazil without a deadline to leave?

In short, foreigners who decide to live in Brazil can obtain a residence permit for an indefinite period, also called “permanent”. However, it must meet some requirements of Brazilian legislation.

By default, most cases will require that the foreigner first have a temporary authorization and only then renew it for a permanent one. However, there are some exceptions that allow you to directly apply for a permanent residence permit, as is the case for some investors.

Can a foreigner live in Brazil without working?

Foreigners who want to live in Brazil without working can request a residence permit based on investments in Brazil, retirement or death pension, and also a residence permit based on family reunion.

Furthermore, there is the type of visa or digital nomad authorization, where the employment or service provision relationship is linked to a foreign employer and may be a possibility depending on the foreigner’s situation.

Can a foreigner live in Brazil and work without a visa?

In general, foreigners cannot live, or even work, without a valid visa in Brazil. If this happens, the immigrant may be fined and deported by the Brazilian government.

Foreign family, can you accompany him when he moves to Brazil?

Yes, immigrants who are moving to Brazil can bring their dependents based on the family reunion residence permit, that is, the foreigner does not need to leave behind a spouse or children.

Is it possible to apply for a family reunion visa alongside the main visa?

The request for a family reunion can happen at the same time as the foreigner’s main request, which motivated the foreigner to come to Brazil. Thus, the granting of the family reunion request is linked to the request of the calling foreigner (holder of the “main visa”).

How can a migration lawyer help with a visa for a foreigner to live in Brazil?

The immigration lawyer can help foreigners in the search for the correct visa to live in Brazil, avoiding excessive waiting, unnecessary expenses and assisting throughout the process.

How can a migration lawyer help Brazilians obtain rights abroad?

Firstly, an experienced migration lawyer can facilitate the acquisition of rights as a Brazilian citizen by a foreigner, by helping the immigrant to always have their documents up to date. This way, the foreigner is more likely to gain their rights in Brazil.

Furthermore, it can assist throughout the entire process of the foreigner’s stay in Brazil and even in gaining Brazilian citizenship, if that is the immigrant’s interest.

How to obtain a residence visa in Brazil?

In principle, foreigners who want a residence permit for an indefinite period in Brazil must first apply for a temporary visa or temporary residence permit (according to the requirements of the Migration Law). This will normally be for a period of 2 years. Afterward, he may request renewal, in some cases, or transformation into permanent authorization.

As there are many variables to define when you can renew and how much you can transform, the ideal is to understand your case (type of visa or basis for the first residence permit) to know how to proceed. However, if you find it complex and want to speed up this process, you can speak to a migration lawyer for guidance.

How to obtain indefinite authorization?

To obtain indefinite authorization in Brazil, up to 90 days before the CRNM expires, the foreigner must apply for renewal of the document at the Federal Police. In this way, he can transform the residence permit into an indefinite one.

Can a visa to stay in Brazil be obtained with all Brazilian visas?

On the other hand, obtaining a residence permit for an indefinite period is not certain for some specific visas, such as:

• Digital Nomad;
• Studies;
• Sports;
• Between others.

What happens if a foreigner has an expired visa in Brazil?

Foreigners whose visa has expired are subject to a fine of at least R$100.00, but which can reach R$10,000.00, according to the Brazilian Migration Law.

Can a foreigner with an expired visa be deported from Brazil?

Yes, foreigners who are not legally present in Brazil run the risk of being deported to their country of origin.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the deportation procedure is not automatic, which guarantees the foreigner the right to enter into relevant administrative proceedings and defense.

What are the steps for a foreigner to be able to live in Brazil?

In short, foreigners who want to live in Brazil must understand the best justification for their residence in the country, according to their conditions and situation. Afterwards, he must gather all the necessary documents to request the desired visa and/or authorization and make the request to the Brazilian Federal Police.

It’s also possible to apply for a visa at the Consulate or consular sector, located at the Brazilian Embassy, in the country in which you are currently living. However, this option is only aimed at some specific cases, such as investors.

How long can a foreigner live in Brazil?

The length of time that a foreigner can live in Brazil depends on the foreigner’s own interests, as long as the requirements for their stay are met. In general, the first stage of residence permit grants 2 years, which can be renewed for another two years or made permanent. However, you need to evaluate your specific case to know which one fits in, renewal or transformation, or whether it falls into one of the exceptions that allows for faster permanent authorization.