Visa to live in Brazil: rules and exemptions!

In this text, we explain how a foreigner can get a visa to live in Brazil and actually remain legal in the country without any problems.

But before reading, know that you first need to check if in your case the visa is mandatory. Brazil has international agreements with other countries that allow entry without a visa requirement. Therefore, understand in this text how a foreigner can live in Brazil and learn how to legalize here.

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How can a foreigner live in Brazil?

At first, foreigners must apply for a visa to come to Brazil, travel, enjoy their visa period, if they are not sure they want to become naturalized, and then apply for a residence permit 90 days before the visa expires. However, if you are sure that you want to naturalize as a Brazilian, then you can speed up the process by arriving in Brazil and immediately requesting your residence permit.

The first authorization you will receive is a temporary one, which generally lasts for 2 years. Then, 90 days before the temporary authorization expires, apply for the permanent authorization. It’s important to highlight that you need to place the order since the transformation is not automatic.

Finally, if you wish, you can request your Brazilian naturalization. The standard period is 4 years of living in Brazil with permanent authorization, but in some cases, it can be reduced to 1 year.

Do you need a visa to live in Brazil?

It depends. Some foreigners from certain countries do not need a visa to live in Brazil, as is the case with MERCOSUR and neighboring countries. This is because Brazil respects reciprocity in terms of visas. That is, if a country requires that Brazilians need a visa to enter its territory, it is likely that Brazil will require the same from foreign citizens.

The text continues after the form.

How to get a visa to live in Brazil?

To get a visa to live in Brazil you need:

Request your visa at the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in your country;

• Come to Brazil;
• Apply for a residence permit on the Brazilian Government website;
• Attend the Federal Police to validate the request, provide documents, and interview, if requested.
• Brazil has several types of visas. For example Digital Nomad, Family Reunion, Retired or Pensioner, Real Estate Investor, and Entrepreneur. You need to choose the one that best suits your true situation as well as your needs.

Therefore, it is essential that foreigners assess their situation before starting the process of establishing residence in the country.

Which countries do not need a visa to enter Brazil?

The list is long, but some examples are MERCOSUR and neighboring countries. Incidentally, the list is always updated, due to Brazil’s principles and diplomatic relations with other countries. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the need for a visa to live in Brazil. We publish and update the list of countries that do not need a visa to enter Brazil monthly (click on the underline to read).

How to get a residence permit for foreigners in Brazil?

To get a visa to live in Brazil, you need to be on Brazilian soil. That is, it is only possible to start the process when you are already in Brazil. In general, the term of the residence permit is 2 years, but it can vary more or less.

You can start the application on the official website of the Brazilian Government. There, you must fill out forms, pay the fees, and then go to the Federal Police to complete the application. In this way, authorization allows the foreigner to live in Brazil.

How can a foreigner establish residence while in the country illegally?

First of all, it’s important that you regularize your situation before settling in Brazil. So asking for your CRNM is the first step for you to establish your stay in Brazil.

Soon after, within a period of 90 days, it is possible to apply for a residence permit and obtain a visa to live in Brazil (the official name is a residence permit).

In addition, granting a residence permit for humanitarian reception is also a possibility in some cases.

How can a foreigner reside in Brazil without having a family in the country?

The foreigner who wants a visa to live in Brazil without having a family in the country can use the following visas:

• Digital Nomad;
• Retired or Pensioner;
• Real Estate Investor;
• Businessperson;
• Work visa (if you have a contract with a Brazilian company).

Not to mention that foreign citizens from countries belonging to MERCOSUR and bordering countries have easier entry into Brazil in order to obtain permission to live in Brazil.

How can a foreigner live in Brazil by buying property in the country?

For a foreigner to obtain a visa to live in Brazil for the purchase of a property, he must follow the rules established by Normative Resolution No. 13, of December 12, 2017:

• Property in an urban area;
• Built or under construction;
• In the amount equal to or greater than R$ 1,000,000.00 (one million reais) in the South, Southeast, and Midwest regions of Brazil; OR
• R$700,000.00 (seven hundred thousand reais) or more, if it is in the North and Northeast regions (R$700,000).

Therefore, a visa to live in Brazil is a reality for those interested in investing in real estate in Brazil.

How can a foreigner live in Brazil by making an investment in the country?

A foreigner can obtain a visa to live in Brazil by making an investment equal to or greater than R$150,0000.00 (one hundred and fifty thousand reais). However, in some cases, the Brazilian Government may require that this amount be higher, depending on the type of investment. It is also necessary to prove the capital brought to Brazil, with the intention of boosting the economy and generating jobs in the country, in addition to presenting the Investment or Business Plan.

The amount of R$150,000.00 is valid for the visa to live in Brazil when there is a purpose to invest in activities of:

• innovation;
• basic or applied research;
• scientific or technological nature.

Furthermore, the rule says that:

§ 1 In the analysis of the request, the undertaking receiving the investment must demonstrate compliance with at least one of the following conditions:

• Having received investment, funding, or resources directed toward supporting innovation from a government institution;
• be located in a technological park;
• being incubated or being a graduated enterprise;
• being a finalist in a government program to support startups; or
• having benefited from a startup accelerator in Brazil.

Thus, a foreigner can live in Brazil through an investment, that is, bringing capital to the country. In the case of other companies, the investment value must be at least R$500,000.00 (five hundred thousand reais), as explained above. Know more in the text about a visa to live in Brazil as an investor.