Visa Types — Brazil

Major Brazil Visa Categories for Immigration

*Note: Brazil overhauled its immigration framework under the Migration Law (Lei 13.445/2017) and RN (Resolução Normativa) regulations from CNIg (National Immigration Council) and MRE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Visa categories are now typically classified as VITEM (Temporary Visa) or VIPER (Permanent Visa) with numbered subcategories. Fees and processing times change frequently — always verify with the nearest Brazilian consulate or the Polícia Federal before applying.*

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VITEM I — Temporary Visa for Study

Who it's for: Foreign nationals accepted into a recognized Brazilian educational institution (undergraduate, graduate, exchange, technical courses, or Portuguese language courses).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Letter of acceptance/enrollment from an accredited Brazilian institution
• Proof of financial means to support stay (varies by consulate, often equivalent to R$ 2,000–5,000/month or a scholarship letter)
• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Proof of health insurance (increasingly requested)
• Criminal background clearance (for stays over 1 year)

Processing time: 5–15 business days at consulate (varies by country); registration with Polícia Federal required within 90 days of arrival if staying long-term.

Cost:

• Visa fee: approximately US$ 40–100 (varies by reciprocity agreements; US citizens often pay more due to reciprocity, around US$ 160–200)
• Polícia Federal registration (RNM - Registro Nacional Migratório): R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

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VITEM II — Temporary Visa for Cultural/Sports Exchange or Volunteer Work

Who it's for: Artists, athletes, volunteers, and participants in cultural exchange programs.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Invitation or contract from a Brazilian host organization
• Proof of purpose (event schedule, volunteer agreement, sports federation documentation)
• Financial self-sufficiency proof
• Health/travel insurance recommended

Processing time: 10–20 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: US$ 40–100 (reciprocity-dependent)
• RNM card (if staying >90 days): R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

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VITEM III — Temporary Visa for Work (Employment Contract)

Who it's for: Foreign professionals hired by a Brazilian company or transferred within a multinational corporation.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Employment contract with a Brazilian employer OR intra-company transfer documentation
• Employer must obtain prior authorization from the Ministry of Labor (Ministério do Trabalho) or via the CGIg (Coordenação-Geral de Imigração) portal
• Proof of professional qualifications (diploma, professional registration if applicable)
• Criminal background check (apostilled/translated)
• Medical exam may be required depending on consulate

Processing time:

• Work authorization approval: 30–60 days
• Consular visa issuance after authorization: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Work authorization application fee (paid by employer typically): R$ 168.87 (~US$ 33)
• Visa fee: US$ 100–290 depending on nationality/reciprocity
• RNM registration: R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

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VITEM V — Temporary Visa for Investors, Retirees, or Family Reunion (Multi-purpose Category)

Brazil consolidated several categories under VITEM V depending on the specific basis. Key subtypes include:

A) Investor Visa (Temporary → convertible to Permanent)

Who it's for: Foreign individuals investing in a Brazilian company or startup.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Minimum investment: R$ 500,000 in a Brazilian company (or R$ 150,000 for innovative/tech startups under RN 71/2018 and updates)
• Business plan showing job creation or innovation potential
• Proof of legal source of funds
• Company registration documents (CNPJ)

Processing time: 60–90 days for investment approval + 10–15 days for visa issuance

Cost:

• Investment analysis/registration fees: varies, often R$ 168.87 (~US$ 33) administrative fee
• Visa fee: US$ 100–290
• RNM card: R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

B) Retiree Visa (Aposentado)

Who it's for: Foreign retirees seeking to reside in Brazil.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of monthly retirement/pension income of at least US$ 2,000 (approx. R$ 10,000, figure varies by consulate)
• Additional US$ 1,000 per dependent
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of source of pension (official pension statement)

Processing time: 30–60 days

Cost:

• Visa fee: US$ 100–290 (reciprocity-based)
• RNM card: R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

C) Family Reunion Visa

Who it's for: Spouses, children, parents, or dependents of Brazilian citizens or legal residents.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificate, apostilled and translated)
• Proof of the sponsoring family member's Brazilian citizenship or residency status
• Financial support declaration

Processing time: 30–60 days

Cost:

• Visa fee: US$ 40–100 (often reduced/waived for direct family of Brazilians)
• RNM card: R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

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VITEM XI — Temporary Visa for Digital Nomads

Who it's for: Remote workers employed by foreign companies who wish to reside temporarily in Brazil while working remotely.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of remote work arrangement with a non-Brazilian employer or self-employment abroad
• Minimum monthly income of US$ 1,500 OR bank balance of US$ 18,000
• Valid health insurance covering Brazil
• Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled)

Processing time: 10–20 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: US$ 100 (approx.)
• RNM registration (valid for up to 1 year, renewable once): R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

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VIPER — Permanent Visa (General Permanent Residency)

Who it's for: Individuals seeking permanent residency through investment, retirement, family ties, or after completing a qualifying period on a temporary visa (e.g., 4 years of continuous temporary residency, or reduced periods for certain categories).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Underlying basis (marriage to Brazilian national, birth of Brazilian child, significant investment, retirement income, or long-term temporary residency conversion)
• Proof of ties to Brazil (marriage certificate, child's birth certificate, business registration, etc.)
• Clean criminal record (Brazilian and country of origin)
• Biometric registration with Polícia Federal

Processing time: 60–180 days (varies significantly based on basis and Federal Police backlog)

Cost:

• Application/registration fee: R$ 168.87 (~US$ 33) administrative fee
• RNM permanent card: R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)
• Visa fee (if applying from abroad): US$ 100–290

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VITEM IX — Visa for Religious Workers and Missionaries

Who it's for: Ministers, missionaries, and religious volunteers affiliated with a religious organization operating in Brazil.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Formal invitation/sponsorship letter from a registered Brazilian religious institution
• Proof of religious credentials/ordination
• Financial sponsorship declaration from host institution

Processing time: 15–30 business days

Cost:

• Visa fee: US$ 40–100
• RNM registration: R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)

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MERCOSUR Residence Agreement Visa

Who it's for: Citizens of Mercosur member and associate states (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc.)

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid national ID or passport from a Mercosur member/associate country
• Clean criminal record certificate
• No minimum investment or job offer required — simplified reciprocal residency

Processing time: Can often be processed directly at Polícia Federal within Brazil; 15–30 days for RNM issuance

Cost:

• Administrative fee: R$ 168.87 (~US$ 33)
• RNM card: R$ 204.77 (~US$ 40)
• (Often cheaper/faster than standard visas due to bilateral agreement)

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Summary Table (Approximate Costs)

| Visa Type | Consular Fee (USD) | RNM/PF Fee (BRL / USD) | Processing Time |

|---|---|---|---|

| VITEM I (Study) | $40–200 | R$204.77 (~$40) | 5–15 days |

| VITEM II (Cultural/Sports) | $40–100 | R$204.77 (~$40) | 10–20 days |

| VITEM III (Work) | $100–290 | R$204.77 (~$40) | 30–60 days |

| VITEM V (Investor/Retiree/Family) | $40–290 | R$204.77 (~$40) | 30–90 days |

| VITEM XI (Digital Nomad) | ~$100 | R$204.77 (~$40) | 10–20 days |

| VIPER (Permanent) | $100–290 | R$204.77 (~$40) | 60–180 days |

| VITEM IX (Religious) | $40–100 | R$204.77 (~$40) | 15–30 days |

| Mercosur Agreement | Minimal/waived | R$204.77 (~$40) | 15–30 days |

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Important Caveats

• Reciprocity fees: Brazil charges visa fees based on reciprocity with the applicant's home country — U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens historically pay significantly higher fees than other nationalities.
• Exchange rate: USD conversions assume approximately R$ 5.00–5.10 = US$ 1 (rates fluctuate; verify current rates).
• E-Visa system: Some nationalities (including the U.S., Canada, and Australia) now use Brazil's eVisa online system, which may have different fee structures (historically around US$ 80.90 for the U.S. eVisa, but this has changed multiple times — including periods of visa waiver).
• Federal Police (Polícia Federal) ultimately handles in-country registration, RNM (national migration ID) issuance, and status adjustments — fees and timelines can vary by state/region.
• Always verify current requirements at [gov.br/mre](https://www.gov.br/mre) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the Brazilian consulate in your jurisdiction, and the Polícia Federal migratory portal, as fees, income thresholds, and investment minimums are periodically updated.

More about immigrating to Brazil