Brazil – Visas

Do I need a visa to move to Brazil?

Brazil’s visa exemption arrangements have traditionally been grounded in the principle of reciprocity — the idea that the other nation should extend comparable entry conditions to Brazilian passport holders. In practice, this results in markedly different rules depending on which country’s passport you hold.

Citizens of European Union member states, the United Kingdom, and the majority of South American nations may enter Brazil without a visa for brief visits. The same applies to travellers from New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, and Singapore, among other countries. Most nationalities benefiting from this arrangement are permitted to remain in Brazil for up to 90 days within any given 180-day period.

The Lula administration withdrew the unilateral visa exemption for nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States on 10 April 2025. Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia may now apply for an electronic visitor visa — an e-visa — to travel to Brazil, without the need to attend a Brazilian embassy or consulate in person. This e-visa covers short trips for tourism, business purposes, and transit.

For nationals whose countries are not covered by either the visa-free or e-visa arrangements, entry to Brazil generally requires a traditional visa obtained from a Brazilian embassy or consulate prior to travel. This applies to travellers from various countries across Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East, subject to current bilateral agreements.

For any stay exceeding 90 days, or for the purpose of working in Brazil, all foreign nationals must hold a valid visa or residency authorisation. Entry as a tourist or short-term visitor — whether visa-free or by e-visa — does not confer any entitlement to work or study. Those planning a long-term move to Brazil must secure the relevant VITEM (temporary visa) category before taking up residence. Because visa regulations evolve, it is always worth confirming your specific circumstances with Itamaraty, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Brazilian embassy or consulate nearest to you.

What types of visa are available for people moving to Brazil?

A range of temporary visa (VITEM) categories exists for those wishing to stay in Brazil for longer than 90 days. Each category corresponds to a particular purpose or personal situation. Selecting the right category from the outset matters, since changing categories once in Brazil can be a complicated process.

Work Visa — VITEM V

The VITEM V is the principal temporary work visa for Brazil. It applies to foreign professionals entering the country under an employment contract or specific service arrangement — including researchers, technical consultants, mariners, and professionals participating in technical cooperation programmes. The process is employer-driven: a Brazilian company or institution must initiate matters on the applicant’s behalf. The visa is valid for up to two years, with the possibility of requesting a further two-year extension.

The VITEM V application must begin in Brazil. The prospective employer or contracting body is required to file a petition for temporary residency authorisation with the Ministry of Justice before the applicant can submit a visa application at the relevant Brazilian consulate. This two-stage structure — employer sponsorship preceding the applicant’s own consular application — broadly mirrors sponsored work visa frameworks found in a number of other countries.

Retirement Visa — VITEM XIV

One strand of the VITEM XIV caters to retirees and those receiving survivor pensions. To qualify, applicants must be able to demonstrate a monthly income of at least USD $2,000 and show that these funds can be transferred to Brazil. Proof of retirement status under the laws of the applicant’s home country is required; Brazilian immigration law does not set a specific minimum age for this category — it is retirement status that is decisive. Initial residency is granted for two years, after which the holder may apply for permanent residency.

Digital Nomad Visa — VITEM XIV

A separate strand of the VITEM XIV is designed for people who work remotely for a foreign employer using telecommunications technology. Applicants must demonstrate a monthly income of at least USD $1,500 from a foreign source, or hold bank savings of at least USD $18,000. Residency under this category is granted for one year and may be renewed. Employment with Brazilian companies is not permitted under this visa. It is a frequently chosen route for location-independent professionals and bears resemblance to analogous digital nomad programmes introduced in countries such as Portugal and Spain.

Family Reunification Visa — VITEM XI

The Family Reunion Visa (VITEM XI) enables close relatives — including spouses or partners, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren — of Brazilian nationals or legally resident foreign nationals to establish residence in Brazil. The VITEM XI is contingent on the sponsoring family member having already been granted their own temporary visa or residency status.

Investor Visa

VITEM IX is intended for foreign nationals undertaking substantial financial activities in Brazil. A real estate investment route is also available: this requires an investment in urban property of at least R$1 million (approximately USD $200,000) in the southern or southeastern regions of Brazil, or R$700,000 (approximately USD $140,000) in the northern or northeastern regions — the reduced threshold in less-developed areas being a deliberate incentive to attract investment there. The visa typically confers two years of residency, which can be converted to permanent status if the qualifying property is still held at that point. Thresholds and regulations are subject to change, so always verify current requirements with the relevant Brazilian authorities.

Student Visa — VITEM IV

VITEM IV is issued to students enrolling in educational or academic programmes in Brazil that run for more than 90 days. Applicants are generally expected to provide confirmation of enrolment from a recognised Brazilian institution as part of their application documentation.

South American Mercosur Agreement — VITEM XIII

Nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay who require temporary residency in Brazil may apply for the VITEM XIII. This visa authorises a two-year stay in Brazil. As an alternative, eligible nationals from these countries may simply enter Brazil and apply directly for temporary residence at the Federal Police, rather than going through the consular VITEM XIII route.

How do I apply for a visa for Brazil?

Brazil’s work authorisation process is employer-led and generally unfolds in two main stages: securing a work-based residency authorisation within Brazil, and — once that is in hand — obtaining the corresponding visa at a Brazilian consulate. Other visa types follow different procedures. The steps below outline the general approach for the most common long-stay visa applications.

1. Identify the correct visa category. Work through the VITEM categories outlined above and determine which best matches your circumstances. If you are uncertain, speak with an immigration lawyer or get in touch with your nearest Brazilian consulate. For general visa information, the Itamaraty website — operated by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs — is the authoritative source, as Itamaraty is responsible for granting visas via Brazilian embassies and consulates abroad.
2. For work visas: employer authorisation must come first. The company or institution seeking to employ you must petition the Ministry of Justice in Brazil for temporary residency authorisation before you can proceed with your own visa application. Your employer will let you know once this authorisation has been issued.
3. Complete the online visa application form. Each applicant must fully complete an application form online and sign it — or have it signed by a parent or guardian where applicable. Only the receipt page bearing the bar code needs to be printed for submission. Application forms are accessible through the Brazilian consulate responsible for your country of residence.
4. Assemble your supporting documents. Gather all documentation required for your specific visa category (see the Documents section below). Any foreign-issued documents must be apostilled or legalised and, where necessary, translated by a sworn translator.
5. Submit your application at the relevant consulate or via the e-visa portal. For applicants in the United States, long-stay visa applications are lodged with the appropriate Brazilian Consulate General (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, or Washington DC, according to your state of residence). American citizens applying for a short-stay visitor e-visa may do so entirely online. For applicants in the United Kingdom, UK nationals are generally able to enter Brazil visa-free for short visits, but those seeking a long-stay visa should apply to the Brazilian Embassy in London. Applicants in other countries should reach out to the nearest Brazilian embassy or consulate to confirm local procedures.
6. Attend any required appointment and settle the consular fee. Certain consulates insist on in-person submissions, while others accept postal applications. Consular fees are typically payable on the day of your appointment.
7. Register with the Federal Police upon arrival in Brazil. All temporary visa holders intending to remain for more than 90 days must register with the Federal Police within 90 days of their arrival. Upon completion of registration, they will be issued a national migration registration card (CRNM) and formally granted residency for the relevant period.

Always verify current procedures on the official Itamaraty website or with the relevant Brazilian consulate before beginning your application, as requirements and processes are subject to revision.

What documents do I need to apply for a visa for Brazil?

The precise documentation required will vary according to your visa category, but the items listed below are commonly expected across most long-stay applications. Always confirm the specific requirements with the Brazilian consulate responsible for your country of residence.

• Valid passport: Your passport must be signed, remain valid through the end of your trip, and contain at least one blank visa page (amendment pages are not acceptable for this purpose).
• Completed visa application form: Downloaded and filled out online, with the bar-code receipt page printed for submission.
• Recent passport-size photograph: One current 2″ x 2″ passport-format photo, taken from the front against a white background.
• Criminal record certificate: Applicants in the US are typically required to provide FBI clearance or a local police department certificate issued within the past six months. Applicants in other countries should supply the nationally recognised equivalent police clearance document.
• Proof of financial means: For the retirement visa, official documentation of pension income meeting the applicable monthly minimum. For the digital nomad visa, evidence of remote employment and qualifying income, or relevant bank statements.
• Employment contract or authorisation letter: For work visas, the authorisation from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice — secured by your employer — must be included in the application.
• Health insurance: Proof of valid health insurance covering your stay in Brazil is required for the digital nomad visa and certain other VITEM categories.
• Proof of retirement status: For the VITEM XIV retirement visa, a notarised letter from a recognised official body attesting to the applicant’s retirement status is required, together with documented evidence that monthly pension income meets the relevant threshold.

Translation and legalisation of documents

All documents issued outside Brazil must be apostilled — or legalised if issued in a country that has not signed the Hague Convention — and subsequently translated by a sworn translator in Brazil. Documents not originally produced in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French will require either a sworn translation carried out by a qualified translator whose signature has been notarised, a translation certified by the consulate or embassy of the country that issued the document, or a sworn translation made outside the United States and duly legalised by the appropriate Brazilian consular office. This requirement for sworn translation — known in Brazil as tradução juramentada — adheres to strict formal standards; machine-generated translations are not accepted under any circumstances.

This list of documents is not exhaustive. Always consult the official Itamaraty website or your nearest Brazilian consulate for a definitive, current list of required documentation for your particular visa type.

How long does a visa application for Brazil take to process?

Processing times differ considerably depending on the visa category and the route through which you are applying. As with most countries, timelines can shift in line with consular workload, the completeness of your submitted documentation, and whether authorities need to request further information. Give yourself plenty of time — ideally several months ahead of your planned move date.

The visitor e-visa is typically issued within five business days, making it a comparatively swift option relative to consular routes. For the work visa, Ministry of Labour approval at the employer stage generally takes between 30 and 60 days; the consulate then usually completes its part of the process within 5 to 10 business days of receiving the authorisation.

Retirement visa applications require consultation with the Ministry of External Relations, a stage that typically takes around two to three months. Applications for permanent residency commonly take six to twelve months or more, depending on the complexity of the case, the outcome of background checks, and any requests for additional documentation or interviews.

These figures are indicative as of 2025 and should not be taken as guarantees of actual timelines. Always check the Itamaraty website or the relevant consulate for current processing time estimates before lodging your application.

How much does it cost to apply for a visa for Brazil?

Visa fees are determined by the Brazilian government and vary according to both the visa category and the applicant’s nationality. Fee levels are subject to revision, and the amounts below should be cross-checked against current consular fee schedules before you apply. Fees are generally non-refundable, even in cases where a visa is refused.

The electronic tourist visa for US citizens, introduced in April 2025, costs USD $80.90, payable online by Visa or Mastercard. Fees for temporary VITEM visas range from approximately USD $100 to $250, varying by visa type and the applicant’s country of origin.

For residency processing and the CRNM card, the Federal Police lists the authorisation processing fee (code 140066) at R$168.13 as of August 2025.

Beyond official government fees, applicants should account for a range of additional costs, which may include:

• Sworn translation fees — professional tradução juramentada services are billed per page and can represent a significant expense for applications involving multiple documents.
• Apostille or document legalisation fees — levied by the relevant issuing authority in your home country.
• Health insurance — private health insurance valid for Brazil is compulsory under several VITEM categories and must remain in force throughout your period of stay.
• Immigration legal advice — while not obligatory, many applicants engage a qualified immigration lawyer or consultant, particularly for work or retirement visa cases. Costs vary considerably.
• Criminal record certificate fees — obtaining FBI clearance or a national police certificate in your home country may carry a modest charge.

Visa fees are non-refundable and may be revised at the discretion of the authorities at any time. Always consult the current fee schedule on the Itamaraty website or the relevant Brazilian consulate before making any payment.

Can my family members join me in Brazil on a visa?

Brazil has a family reunification framework that allows relatives of visa holders and residents to join them in the country. The specific route available to your family will depend on the primary applicant’s visa category.

The Family Reunion Visa (VITEM XI) enables close relatives — including spouses or partners, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren — of Brazilian nationals or foreign nationals holding legal residency status in Brazil to take up residence there. The VITEM XI can only be issued once the sponsoring family member has already been granted their temporary visa or residency status.

The VITEM V work visa may also be extended to cover the family members of the principal work visa holder, permitting dependants to reside in Brazil alongside the primary applicant. Family members seeking entry under these arrangements will normally be required to submit their own individual applications, including supporting documentation that evidences their relationship to the primary visa holder.

Once resident in Brazil, family members who have arrived on a VITEM XI family reunification visa are generally entitled to study. Whether they may work depends on the specific terms of the residency authorisation they have been granted — this should be confirmed with the relevant consulate or the Brazilian immigration authority before you rely on it. The VITEM XIV retirement visa does not automatically confer work authorisation.

There is no single universal income threshold that applies to family dependants across all visa types — requirements differ by category and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Consult the MigranteWeb portal or the relevant Brazilian consulate for the requirements that apply to your particular situation.

Can I extend my visa or apply for permanent residence in Brazil?

Brazil provides well-defined routes from temporary to permanent residency, though the path available to you — and the timeline involved — will depend on the visa category you currently hold.

The visitor visa is ordinarily valid for multiple entries during its period of validity. Individual stays are initially capped at 90 days, but an extension may be requested from the Federal Police after arrival. Aggregate time spent in Brazil must not exceed 180 days within any one-year period.

Temporary residents may in some cases apply to renew their residency period or convert it to permanent residency. For VITEM V work visa holders: the visa is valid for up to two years, with the option to apply for a further two-year extension. Employees who decide they wish to remain in Brazil on an ongoing basis may transition to a permanent work visa following the initial two-year period.

For retirement visa holders: initial residency is granted for two years, after which a permanent residency application may be submitted. For those who entered via the real estate investor route: the two-year residency period is convertible to permanent status provided the qualifying property is still owned at that point.

On the path to citizenship, it is important to be aware that only time spent as a permanent resident counts towards the qualifying period for naturalisation — the clock does not begin during temporary residency. Brazil generally requires four years of permanent residence before naturalisation becomes available, though reduced qualifying periods may apply in certain circumstances. Always verify the current rules with the official Brazilian immigration authority.

Temporary visa holders must register with the Federal Police within 90 days of their first entry into Brazil. If a residency authorisation was granted from within Brazil, registration must occur within 30 days of the authorisation’s publication. Late registration can attract fines and cause delays in obtaining your residency ID card.

For the current eligibility criteria and procedures for permanent residency and naturalisation, consult the MigranteWeb portal operated by Brazil’s Ministry of Justice.

What are the most common reasons visa applications for Brazil are refused?

Being aware of the most frequent grounds for refusal can help you put together a more robust application. The reasons most often cited include the following:

• Incomplete or inaccurate application forms. The majority of refusals stem from forms that have been incompletely filled in or contain errors. Double-check every field for accuracy before you submit your application.
• Failure to meet income or financial requirements. Not demonstrating that you satisfy the financial threshold for your chosen visa category — for example, the USD $2,000 monthly income requirement for the retirement visa — is a common basis for refusal. Bank statements and income documentation must be recent and clearly demonstrate that the required level is met.
• Missing or non-compliant documentation. Documents that have not been properly apostilled, legalised, or translated by a sworn translator are routinely rejected. All foreign-issued documents must be apostilled (or legalised if the issuing country has not signed the Hague Convention) and translated by a sworn translator in Brazil.
• Criminal record issues. A criminal record does not automatically lead to refusal, but serious convictions may result in rejection. Always submit a truthful and complete criminal background certificate.
• Insufficient evidence of ties to the home country. For visitor visa applicants, those who cannot demonstrate strong connections to their country of origin — such as employment, property ownership, or close family — may be viewed as presenting an overstay risk.
• Employer authorisation not secured in advance. For work visas, except where the application relates to family reunification, retirement, or work as a manager or director of a religious or social assistance organisation, all other cases must originate in Brazil and require Ministry of Labour work permit authorisation before a visa application can be submitted.

What to do if your application is refused

If your electronic visa application is denied, you may need to pursue the consular visa route instead, which involves a lengthier process — so taking care when completing online forms from the outset is essential. Refusals issued by Brazilian consulates can generally be appealed or reconsidered, though the exact procedure varies from consulate to consulate. Before reapplying, particularly where the refusal relates to a substantive issue rather than a simple documentation error, it is advisable to seek qualified immigration legal advice. Always request a written explanation for any refusal if one is not automatically provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do EU and UK passport holders need a visa to visit Brazil?

Citizens of most European Union member states, the United Kingdom, and much of Latin America are able to enter Brazil without a visa for visits of up to approximately 90 days, being admitted as visitors on arrival. This covers tourism and brief business trips but does not confer any right to work or reside in Brazil on a long-term basis. For stays extending beyond 90 days, an appropriate VITEM visa is required.

Is there a visa on arrival at Brazilian airports?

Brazil does not ordinarily provide a visa on arrival in the conventional sense for travellers whose nationality requires a visa. If your country requires a visitor visa and no e-visa option is available to you, a visa must be obtained from a Brazilian diplomatic mission before you travel. Advance planning is essential — do not assume you will be able to obtain a visa at the border.

What is the MigranteWeb portal and do I need to use it?

MigranteWeb is Brazil’s online immigration management platform, administered by the Ministry of Justice. It is used to apply for and administer residency authorisations within Brazil, and is particularly relevant once you have arrived and need to formalise your residency status. You can access it at gov.br/mj. Whether you will need to use it depends on your visa route; your consulate or a qualified immigration lawyer can advise you on this.

What is the CRNM card and when do I receive it?

Brazil replaced the former RNE (foreigner registration number) with the CRNM (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório) — your foreign resident identity card, issued by the Federal Police following registration and the collection of biometric data. Temporary visa holders must register with the Federal Police within 90 days of arriving in Brazil. Failing to meet this deadline can result in financial penalties.

Can I work in Brazil on a retirement visa?

The VITEM XIV retirement visa does not automatically confer the right to work in Brazil. If you wish to take up employment with a Brazilian employer, you will generally need to obtain work-authorised status through VITEM V, which requires the employer to secure a residency authorisation from the Brazilian authorities before you can apply for the visa. If your work will be carried out remotely for a foreign company, the digital nomad strand of VITEM XIV is likely to be the more appropriate option.

How long can I stay in Brazil on a visitor e-visa?

The electronic Brazil visa is ordinarily valid for five years for Canadian and Australian nationals and ten years for American nationals (as of 2025), and permits multiple entries with individual stays capped at 90 days. Combined time in Brazil must not exceed 180 days in any one-year period. Confirm current terms via the official Itamaraty website before you travel.

Do I need health insurance to get a Brazilian visa?

Valid health insurance covering your stay in Brazil is a requirement for the digital nomad visa and for certain other VITEM categories. Even where the visa rules do not strictly mandate it, taking out comprehensive private health insurance is strongly recommended, as access to Brazil’s public healthcare system (SUS) for non-residents is often limited in practice.

Where can I find the official and up-to-date rules on visas for Brazil?

The two principal official sources are Itamaraty (Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs), which oversees visa issuance through Brazilian embassies and consulates around the world, and the MigranteWeb portal, administered by Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and covering residency authorisations and registration. For the most accurate, case-specific guidance, contact the Brazilian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence, or consult a qualified Brazilian immigration lawyer.