Moving to Brazil
Step-by-step Immigration Guide

Brazil, officially known as the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America and Latin America, celebrated for its thriving economy and diverse cultural and natural landscapes. With an expatriate community of over one million and a wide range of opportunities, Brazil has emerged as a highly desirable destination for career advancement, quality education, and the beauty of its natural surroundings.

For stays exceeding 90 days, securing a visa is a necessity. Long-term stays require a Brazil temporary visa (VITEM), available in various categories to suit your specific purpose.

If you plan to reside in Brazil legally, you must apply for and obtain a visa before traveling to the country, or you will be denied entry by Brazilian authorities. Depending on the reason why you want to move to Brazil, you need to choose a type of VITEM visa and submit the application for that type of visa.
Once you receive your temporary visa (VITEM), you can enter the country, and within 90 days of your arrival in Brazil, you must register with the Foreign Police for your residence permit. You will have to present your visa application form.
Upon registration, you need to submit a legalized/apostilled document with both of your parents’ full names. The document must be translated by a sworn translator in Brazil.

Foreign individuals that have found a job and hold an employment contract with an employer in Brazil and want to move to Brazil for employment need to obtain a Brazil work visa (VITEM V). However, before applying for the work visa, your new employer must submit the application for approval at the Brazilian Ministry of Labor.

After your employer obtains authorization from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor, the Brazilian embassy or consulate you will apply at will be informed, so you can continue with the visa application. There are different types of work visas that you can apply for depending on your situation and profession. The work visas are issued for a maximum period of 2 years.
You can also apply for a Brazil digital nomad visa. A digital nomad visa is a residence visa that will allow you to stay legally in Brazil while working remotely. This type of visa is commonly issued for customer service, online teachers, content writers, data analysts, web developers, freelance translators, and digital marketers.

Foreign students who wish to move to Brazil to pursue their studies in a Brazilian educational institution need to get a Brazil student visa (VITEM IV). To be eligible for this type of visa, you must already be enrolled in a university in Brazil and must present your letter of acceptance as proof of enrollment.

If you have a family member residing legally in Brazil and want to live with them, you need to apply for a Brazil family reunion visa (VITEM XI).

Family members who can apply for a family reunion visa (VITEM XI) are:

• Spouse or partner of a foreigner with a residence permit in Brazil.
• Children or grandchildren of a foreigner with a residence permit in Brazil.
• Stepchildren of a foreigner with a residence permit in Brazil.
• Parents or grandparents of a foreigner with a residence permit in Brazil.
• Siblings (minor or financially dependent) of a foreigner with a residence permit in Brazil.

The family reunion visa is issued for up to one year (12 months).

Retired foreigners that want to retire in Brazil can make Brazil their new retirement home by applying for a Brazil retirement visa (VITEM XIV). However, to be eligible for this type of visa, you must meet certain requirements, such as:

• You must be retired.
• You must have a certain amount of financial support.
• You must have a clear criminal record.

The applications for a Brazil retirement visa are completed online on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Brazil offers numerous advantages and some challenges:

To move to Brazil with pets, such as cats or dogs, you must meet specific requirements:

1. Rabies Vaccination: Pets must have proof of rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before entering Brazil but not more than 12 months prior. Puppies and kittens younger than 3 months should not be vaccinated for rabies.
2. Parasite Treatment: Pets must undergo treatment against internal and external parasites within 15 days of entering Brazil.
3. Veterinary Certificate: After arriving in Brazil with your pets, you must present an International Veterinary Certificate/Pet Passport issued by an official veterinarian from the Veterinary Authority in your home country. This certificate is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid.
4. Import Permit: While cats and dogs do not require an import permit, for other animals, you will need to obtain one from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA).
5. Microchip and Rabies Titer Test: Brazil does not require cats and dogs to be identified with a microchip or undergo a rabies titer test.

Here are some of the most sought-after destinations for expatriates considering a move to Brazil:

To qualify for Brazilian citizenship, you must maintain legal residency in the country for a minimum of four years. The duration of residency may vary depending on your individual circumstances, but four years is the standard requirement for obtaining citizenship through naturalization.
In addition to the residency criteria, there are other prerequisites to meet when pursuing citizenship through naturalization, including demonstrating proficiency in the Portuguese language and having a clean criminal record.

Brazil does not generally permit dual citizenship for its citizens. This means that Brazilian citizens who acquire citizenship from another country may risk losing their Brazilian citizenship.
However, as outlined in the Federal Constitution, dual citizenship is only allowed in two specific situations:

1. When the second nationality is acquired by birth or descent.
2. If the acquisition of naturalization in another country is required to maintain residence or civil rights in that nation.