🇧🇷Visa options for Brazil
Brazil offers 29 permit types across 11 categories — from tourist e-Visas and the Digital Nomad Visa (USD 1,500/month) to investment residency, the Mercosur fast-track, CPLP Portuguese-language pathway, and multiple routes to Brazilian citizenship. 22 lead to permanent residency; 26 don't require a job offer. Here's every Brazil permit tracked by VisaMatch.
29permit types
11categories
22PR pathways
26no job needed
Check which Brazil visas you qualify for →
Visa categories in Brazil
All Brazil permit types
Visitor (5)
Visa-Free Entry (Short Stay) Free
90+ nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 90 days (max 180 days/year). Includes most EU/EEA, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia (60 days), and others.
Electronic Visa — e-Visa (US / Canada / Australia) USD 80.90
Required since April 2025 for US, Canadian, and Australian citizens. Apply online at brazil.vfsevisa.com. US: 10-year validity; CA/AU: 5-year. Each stay max 90 days / 180 days per year. Processing: 48–72 hours.
Visitor Visa (VIVIS — Embassy Sticker) USD 40–160
Embassy/consulate visa for nationalities not eligible for visa-free or e-visa. Single or multiple entry, 1–10 years validity.
Transit Visa (VIVIS — Transit) USD 40–80
Required for visa-required nationals transiting Brazil who exit the international transit area. Up to 10 days.
Business Visitor Visa (VIVIS — Business/Cultural) Free–USD 160
For business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, exhibitions, or cultural/sporting events without a formal contract. Up to 90 days. Free for visa-exempt nationalities; USD 40–160 for others.
Work (7)
Temporary Work Visa (VITEM V — Employment) USD 100–305
Standard employer-sponsored visa. Employer obtains Ministry of Labour (CGIG) authorization. Up to 2 years renewable. PR pathway after 4 years.
Research, Teaching and Scientific Activities (VITEM I) USD 40–160
For scientists, professors, and researchers linked to Brazilian institutions. Pro-labore permitted (up to 90 days). Up to 2 years renewable. No job offer required.
Working Holiday Visa (VITEM VI) USD 40–100
For nationals of Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, or South Korea. Age 18–30 (South Koreans up to 34). Primary purpose is tourism; work permitted up to 3 months. 12 months, non-renewable.
Religious Activities Visa (VITEM VII) USD 40–160
For missionaries and other religious workers sponsored by a registered Brazilian religious organization. Up to 2 years renewable.
Volunteer Work Visa (VITEM VIII) USD 40–160
For unpaid volunteers at registered Brazilian non-profits and NGOs. Up to 1 year renewable. No employment permitted.
Sports and Artistic Activities (VITEM V — Cultural/Sports) USD 100–305
For professional athletes, artists, musicians, and performers under formal contract with a Brazilian entity. Ministry of Labour authorization required. Up to 2 years.
Physician Residency — Mais Médicos (VITEM XV) Waived
For foreign-trained physicians in Brazil's federal primary healthcare program serving underserved communities. 4-year validity, renewable. Costs waived by federal government.
Study (2)
Student Visa (VITEM IV) USD 40–160
For language courses, vocational training, undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. Duration matches enrolled course. Course-linked internships permitted (max 20 hours/week). Financial means: ~R$1,518/month (1 minimum wage).
Academic Exchange / Research Program (VITEM I — Exchange) USD 40–160
For formal exchange programs and joint research with Brazilian universities. Stipends from the Brazilian institution permitted. Up to 2 years renewable.
Digital Nomad (1)
Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV — Remote Work) USD 100–305
USD 1,500/month income from foreign sources (or USD 18,000 savings). All income must originate outside Brazil. Apply via MigranteWeb in-country (4–8 weeks) or Brazilian consulate (3–6 months). 1 year renewable once (2 years max).
Investment (2)
Business Investment Residency (VITEM IX — Business/Startup) BRL 150k–500k
BRL 500,000 (~USD 98,000) standard; BRL 150,000 (~USD 29,500) for tech/innovation startups. Must create 5–10 jobs within 3 years. Business route typically grants immediate permanent residence. 3–8 months processing.
Real Estate Investment Residency (VITEM IX — Property) BRL 700k–1M
BRL 1,000,000 (~USD 200,000) in standard areas; BRL 700,000 (~USD 138,000) in North/Northeast regions. 4-year temporary residence, then permanent. Property must be registered and funds remitted via Central Bank.
Retirement (1)
Retirement Visa (VITEM XIV — Pensioner/Retiree) USD 100–305
USD 2,000/month from pension, retirement fund, social security, disability, or survivor benefit. Plus USD 400/month per dependent. No age restriction. 2 years renewable indefinitely; PR after 4 years.
Family (1)
Family Reunification Visa (VITEM XI) USD 40–160
For spouses, partners, children (under 24), parents, grandparents, and dependent siblings of a Brazilian citizen or permanent resident. Full work rights. Up to 2 years renewable; PR after 4 years.
Regional (2)
Mercosur Residence Agreement (VITEM XIII) BRL 204.77
For citizens of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, or Peru — based solely on nationality, no income proof or job offer needed. 2-year residence; direct conversion to permanent after just 2 years (not 4). Full work rights.
CPLP Mobility Agreement (Portuguese-Speaking Countries) Reduced fees
For nationals of Angola, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste. Income threshold ~USD 1,500/month; Portuguese language waived; citizenship fast-track after just 1 year of permanent residence.
Humanitarian (3)
Humanitarian Visa (VITEM III) Free
For nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, major disasters, or grave human rights violations. New unified framework from January 2026 (replacing ad-hoc Haiti/Venezuela/Afghanistan/Ukraine schemes). Eligibility list pending publication. 2 years renewable; indefinite residence after 2 years.
Refugee Status (CONARE) Free
Brazil applies the extended Cartagena Declaration definition. Determined by CONARE. Full work rights, access to healthcare (SUS), CPF. ~70,000 recognized refugees as of 2025. Processing: 6 months to 2+ years.
Stateless Person Protection (Apatridia) Free
Formal recognition procedure under Lei 13.445/2017. CRNM card, work rights, education, healthcare, and travel document. Handled by Ministry of Justice and CONARE.
Permanent (4)
Indefinite Residence Authorization (Residência Permanente) BRL 204.77
Available after 4 years continuous lawful residence (2 years for Mercosur nationals; immediate for qualifying investors). CRNM card renewed every 9 years. Do not leave Brazil for more than 2 consecutive years.
Brazilian Citizenship by Naturalization BRL 200–500
4 years permanent residence + Portuguese language proficiency + clean criminal record. Brazil permits dual citizenship. Processing: 12–36 months.
Brazilian Citizenship by Marriage (Fast-Track) BRL 200–500
1 year permanent residence (not 4) if married to a Brazilian citizen. Genuine marriage required. Dual citizenship permitted. Processing: 12–24 months.
Brazilian Citizenship by Birth or Descent Minimal
Jus soli: all persons born on Brazilian territory. Jus sanguinis: children born abroad to a Brazilian parent, registered at consulate or opting upon return. Dual citizenship fully permitted.
Special (1)
Medical Treatment Visa (VITEM II) USD 40–160
For foreign nationals travelling to Brazil for medical treatment unavailable in their home country. No employment permitted. Up to 1 year renewable. Companion/caregiver can receive the same visa.
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to Brazil
How many visa types does Brazil offer?
Brazil offers 29 permit types across 11 categories — covering visitor (including e-Visa), work, digital nomad, study, family, investment, retirement, regional agreements (Mercosur and CPLP), humanitarian, permanent residence, and citizenship routes.
Do US, Canadian, and Australian citizens need a visa for Brazil?
Yes — as of April 2025, US, Canadian, and Australian citizens must obtain an e-Visa before travelling to Brazil. The e-Visa costs USD 80.90, is valid for 10 years (US) or 5 years (CA/AU), allows multiple entries, and is processed online in 48–72 hours at brazil.vfsevisa.com. Each stay is limited to 90 days (max 180 days/year).
What is Brazil's Digital Nomad Visa?
Brazil's Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) was introduced in 2022 under Resolução Normativa CNIg No. 45. It allows remote workers earning at least USD 1,500/month from non-Brazilian employers to live in Brazil for up to 2 years (1 year + 1 renewal). Applications can be filed at a Brazilian consulate (3–6 months processing) or through MigranteWeb while on a tourist/visitor visa in Brazil (4–8 weeks). All income must originate outside Brazil.
Can I move to Brazil without a job offer?
Yes — 26 of Brazil's 29 permit types don't require a pre-arranged job offer. These include the digital nomad visa, retirement visa, all investor routes, family reunification, the Mercosur and CPLP regional agreements, student and academic exchange visas, and humanitarian pathways. Only the standard employment work visa (VITEM V), sports/cultural activities visa, and the Mais Médicos physician program require a job offer.
How do I get permanent residency in Brazil?
Under Brazil's Lei de Migração 13.445/2017, most visa holders can apply for indefinite residence authorization after 4 years of continuous lawful temporary residence. Mercosur nationals qualify after just 2 years. Citizenship is available after 4 years of permanent residence, or just 1 year for those married to a Brazilian citizen or parent of a Brazilian-born child. Brazil permits dual citizenship — no renunciation required.
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