1. Passport

2. Proof or residence

3. Proof that you can maintain yourself when in Brazil (Credit Card Statement or account statement

4. Proof that you have a place to stay in Brazil

5. Travel ticket (airplane, bus, ship etc.) with exit within the maximum of 90 days.

Deadlines

There are no deadlines for the tourist visa, but you should request it ate least a month before the date of your trip to give time to process it. Also check your consulate for any specific provisos on this matter.

Brazil has several types of temporary visas. We list here the 7 main types and it principal characteristics. Other subtype and interpretations of these visas exists, for more details and any questions contact us.
It is also important to keep in mind that several specific cases are ruled by internal decisions of the government that change with some frequency. Therefore, before applying contact us for more information.

General documents necessary to apply for any of the Temporary Visas

1. Passport or equivalent document (Laisser-passer, etc);
2. Immunization certificate (only when required) (only required if the stay is longer than 90 days in the cases below from 1 to 4);
3. Health Certificate;
4. Proof of financial means to live in Brazil (this documents will be requested at the consulate and at the border upon entrance);

1. • In the case of a cultural trip or study mission – presenting the invitation or indication from the cultural or scientific institution. Other documents maybe accepted by the consulate at its discretion.
2. • In the case of business trip – presenting a declaration from the company or institution the foreigner is connected or another person at the discretion of the consulate;
3. • In the case of students – presenting document proofing the scholarship or proof that the student or the family can maintain him during his studies;
4. • In the case of religious visa – Presenting a declaration from the institution that will be responsible for the foreigner.

1. Criminal record or equivalent document (as required by the consulate)

1. Cultural or Study mission

1. • Maximum Stay – Mission duration or 2 years renewable for another 2 years;
2. • Where to obtain it – In the consulate responsible for the jurisdiction of the place one lived for more than a year immediately prior to the application;

1. Business trip

1. • Maximum Stay – 5 years visa with stays up to 90 days renewable in Brazil for another 90 days (maximum 180 in a period of one year counting from the first entrance);
2. • Where to obtain it – In the consulate responsible for the jurisdiction of the place one lived for more than a year immediately prior to the application;

1. Artists and sports players

1. • Maximum Stay – 90 days renewable in Brazil for another 90 days (maximum 180 in a period of one year counting from the first entrance);
2. • Special demands from the Immigration Council and the work contract must be approved by the ministry of labor;
3. • Must present a labor contract duly approved by the Ministry of Labor.
4. • The authority at the consulate may demand document proving the professional condition of the foreigner (bar association inscription for instance)

1. Student

1. • Maximum Stay – one year renewable until the end of the course, subject to proof of school registration and minimum grades;
2. • Where to obtain it – In the consulate responsible for the jurisdiction of the place one lived for more than a year immediately prior to the application;
3. • Must renew within 30 days of its end at the federal police or the Ministry of Justice.
4. • Other documents specially required:

1. • • Authorization from the parents or person responsible in the case of minors;
2. • • Full address in Brazil and qualification of the person or people responsible.

1. Work contract (incl. scientist, professor, technician at the service of the Brazilian Government)

1. • Maximum Stay – Contract term or two years renewable for another two years;
2. • Special demands from the Immigration Council and the work contract must be approved by the ministry of labor (excepted proven service to the Brazilian government);
3. • Where to obtain it – In the consulate responsible for the jurisdiction of the place one lived for more than a year immediately prior to the application;
4. • Must present a labor contract duly approved by the Ministry of labor;
5. • This visa maybe converted into permanent.

1. Journalists

1. • Maximum Stay – Contract or mission term or 4 years renewable for another 4 years.

1. Religious mission

1. • Maximum Stay – One year renewable for another one year;
2. • Where to obtain it – In the consulate responsible for the jurisdiction of the place one lived for more than a year immediately prior to the application;
3. • After the first two years it maybe transformed into permanent.
4. • Documents necessary:
5. • Constitutive documents of the entity;
6. • Powers of its representative;
7. • Proof of ordination or proof of religious upbringing;
8. • Curriculum vitae;

1. Any foreigner applying for one of these Visas from within Brazil may exit the country for up to 90 without prejudice to its application.
2. It is also important to keep in mind that several specific cases are ruled by internal decisions of the government that change with some frequency. Therefore, before applying contact us for more information.
3. In the cases of temporary visas, specially, work, journalist and religious, the immediate family may apply for a family reunion visa at the same time or afterwards. The ensuing visa will not give the family right to work.

There are several bases for the application for a permanent visa. These bases stem basically from two ideas. The first is family reunion and the second is economic interest of the nation.
From the first one, come the marriage visa, partnership, visa to economic dependents and several others.
From the second, we find the mainly the work visa and the investment visa among others.
Each category and subcategory implies different documents and obligations. This guide do not purport to exhaust this topic, therefore it focuses only in the main categories in each case.

For more details and explanations please contact us.

MARRIAGE VISA

Basis:
• Marriage certificate with a Brazilian or a foreigner holder of permanent visa.
Necessary Documents:
1. Passport;
2. Valid Visa (Tourist visa is enough);
3. Marriage certificate;
4. Birth certificate or Divorce papers or dead certificate for widowers;
5. Criminal record from the original country (or country where the person lived for the past 1 year);
6. Certified copy of the Brazilian ID for the Brazilian national or the RNE for the Permanent resident;
7. Proof of residence;
8. CPF of the foreigner and the National;
9. Affidavit form stating full responsibility for the applicant’s stay in Brazil;

General steps of the process
1. Get Married in Brazil or abroad;
2. Apply for Permanent residence in Brazil or at the consulate before coming to live in Brazil, presenting the documents listed above. At this point the foreigner will receive a protocol that allows him to stay in Brazil and work. The Protocol is usually valid for 3 to six months and must be renewed within its validity until the RNE arrives;
3. Wait for the police visit and interview;
4. After the interview one must wait for the formal approval from the Immigration Council and respective publication in the official gazette;
5. After the Publication the foreigner will have 90 to go to the federal police and request the RNE;
6. Accompany the process in the Federal Police until the RNE is ready;
7. Collect the RNE.

INVESTMENT VISA

Comments and tips:
• This visa presupposes a marriage. For more information on how to marry a Brazilian in Brazil or abroad please contact us.
• In Brazil there is no fiancé visa. To get Married to a Brazilian in Brazil one just need any valid visa including tourist visa.

Basis:
This visa is given to a foreign investor who invested in a productive venture (new or existing) creating jobs and generally promoting economic development. The main objective basis for the investment visa is the creation of jobs, but indirect job creation; technological transfer and other means to prove a positive economic impact may be used on his behalf.
At the moment the minimum investment capital to apply for the visa is R$150.000,00 (One hundred and fifty thousand reais)
The following documents and the process cover only the immigration process. For more information on the investment process please contact us.

Documents:
1. Passport;
2. CPF;
3. Company Bylaws,
4. Public Power of attorney;
5. Central bank registry of exchange rate contract proving the investment;
6. Proof of payment of the immigration fee;
7. Proof of delivery of the last income tax return documents for the company from the last year (is existing company);
8. Investment Plan for the next 3 years.

Process:
1. Create a company or choose an existing company for the investment;
2. Perform the investment;
3. Take all documents listed the Ministry of labor:
4. Wait for the approval (takes up to 1 month) and publication in the official gazette. If necessary reply to any demands from the ministry;
5. Take the publication and the passport to the consulate to get the permanent entry visa;
6. In Brazil request at the federal police the RNE.

Comments and Tips:

For more details on the investment process please refer to the FDI guidelines.