Permanent Visa for Brazil

UPDATED: The information provided here is to inform those persons interested in obtaining the permanent visa (permanent residency) to live in Brazil.

I will be applying for the visa based on my marriage to a Brazilian citizen, but I do have a job offer as well.

KEEP in mind that although most of the information provided here is correct, it is NOT written in a logical, clear way, nor does it explain what you will really need the day you go to the consulate to apply for the visa. It is also from Miami and answers may vary depending on which consulate you visit.

TO REQUEST THE AUTHORIZATION FOR A PERMANENT VISA THE APPLICANT MUST COME IN PERSON.

 This visa may be issued to: 

• those who have previous authorization from the Ministry of External Relations, requested by the employer, presenting contract of work approved by the Ministry of Labor in Brazil;
   
• Those who are professors, scientists, high level researchers who intend to work in public or private entities related to high studies, scientific and technological research. This visa is issued for those who intend to stay longer than 2 years. If you are not staying in Brazil for more than 2 years, you may qualify for a Temporary Visa V. Attention: Your Company must apply for your visa directly with the Ministry of Labor in Brazil. As soon as we receive the formal letter from Brazil, you will have to come in person to get your visa;
   
• Those who have had Permanent residency in Brazil but stayed abroad for a period of 2 or more years uninterruptedly for the following reasons: complete studies of graduation or higher, professional training or research activities accredited by the Ministry of Science and Technology. You may submit your petition directly to the Consulate;
• 
  Those who are traveling to Brazil as investor, administrator or Director of a Company located in the Zona de Processamento de Exportação – ZPE. This visa must be requested by the Company directly with the Ministry of Labor in Brazil. As soon as we receive the formal letter from the Brazilian Government, you will have to come in person to get your visa;
   
• Those who show proof of financial means to promote a direct investment in Brazil for an approximately amount of R$ 150.000,00 – Brazilian Reais. The exact amount is determined by the Ministry of Labor/National Immigration Council. The petition must be submitted by the Brazilian Company directly to the Ministry of Labor in Brazil;
   
• Those who are retired persons whose pension (minimum of US $2,000.00 per month for the principal applicant and two dependants) can be regularly transferred to Brazil. In case of more than two dependants, it is mandatory to transfer to Brazil the extra amount of US$ 1,000.00 per person;
   
• Those who are members of the clergy and belong to a religious order or congregation established in Brazil;
   
• Those who are  relatives of a Brazilian citizen or alien permanent resident in Brazil;
   
• Those who are married to a Brazilian citizen or a Permanent Resident;
   
• Those who voluntarily intend to travel to Brazil to held position as director, manager or administrator of religious, social assistance or non governmental organizations. This visa may be issued for a period up to 5 years.

If the information above matches the purpose of your trip to Brazil, you may qualify for a Permanent Visa. Please continue for more information.

INTERNATIONAL VACCINATION

 Yellow fever vaccination is recommended if applicant intends to visit one of the following regions in Brazil: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Federal District, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins. 

PROCESSING TIME

             In person only: 5 business days after approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 

      FIRST STEP: 
1)      Proof of residence (income tax, utility bill, Driver’s License etc).  
2)      Original passport; 
3)      Certificate of birth.  
4)      Certificate of marriage (if applicable).  
5)     Police certificate of no criminal record issued within 90 days, for applicants over 16 years old.  
6)      There will be Legalization fees which will be determined at the interview with the Consular Authority.  
In case of petition based on family reunion, the Brazilian party or resident of Brazil must submit: 
1)      “Carteira de Identidade”, passport or RNE if resident; 
2)      Affidavit of financial support (available at the Consulate); 
3)      Judicial authorization and proof of custody (in case of minor son or daughter of divorced parents) 
Petition based on management of religious, social assistance or non governmental organizations must be submitted with: 
1)      Letter of invitation from the Brazilian entity inviting applicant to perform volunteer work in the country; 
2)      Letter from the entity specifying the place and condition of the volunteer work to be performed by the applicant; 
3)      Letter from the Brazilian entity assuming responsibility for all maintenance expenses associated with applicant's stay in Brazil as well as his repatriation to his/her country of origin upon the termination of his work/mission in Brazil; 
4)      Letter from the Brazilian entity assuming full responsibility for all expenses associated with applicant's medical treatment and/or hospitalization in Brazil;
5)      Recent non-criminal record certificate issued by applicant’s local Police Department;
6)      An official document from sponsoring entity in Brazil (such as statute, founding charter, etc.) as well as proof of the entity’s registration with the competent regulatory body (Conselho de Assistência Social Nacional, Estadual, do Distrito Federal ou Municipal); 
7)      Proof that the inviting entity in Brazil is in business and functioning (CNPJ); 
8)      Curriculum Vitae and others documents which proves applicant’s qualification for the position offered; 
9)      Constitutive Act or Social Statute dully registered with the competent regulatory body; 
10)  Prove of registration with the Conselho de Assistência Social, whenever possible, or certificate issued by the Ministry of Justice attesting that the entity qualifies as civil society organization for public service (Organização de Sociedade Civil de Interesse Público). 
Petition based on retirement:
 1)      Certificate issued by official institution attesting to applicant's retirement;  
2)      Documented proof issued by pension provider of monthly pension income of at least US $2,000.00. In case of a third dependent and over, an additional US $1,000.00 per dependent must be accounted for;  
3)      Statement issued by an official organization certifying that pension funds can be transferred to Brazil on a monthly basis.
 SECOND STEP: 
After authorization is received, applicant must present the following documentation: 
1)      Original passport (valid for at least 6 (six) months prior to its expiration date). The passport must have at least 2 (two) blank visa pages; 
2)      One recent individual passport photo, full-frontal, white background; 
3)      One electronic visa application form - click here. Please, make sure to provide full information, even those supposedly not required. If you leave any field blank, we may request you to provide that information what could cause your application to be delayed or even refused. Glue your picture (DO NOT STAPLE IT!) and sign on the appropriate field.

FEE 

• The fee has to be paid by US Postal Money Order OR receipt provided by the ATM machine located at the Consulate's main lobby. The ATM only accepts cash and charges US$ 1.00 for the service.
   
• We do not accept cash, personal check or any other form of payment not listed above.
   

COUNTRY	IN PERSON ONLY
USA	US$ 340.00
All others	US$ 200.00

 Attention: The application must be submitted in person. The US$ 80.00 for legalization of the required documents is not included in the processing visa fee indicated above.

VISA INQUIRIES/INFORMATION

 Email: visa@brazilmiami.org
 We do not provide assistance by phone. 

ADDRESS

 Send your application to: 

                        CONSULATE-GENERAL OF BRAZIL
                        VISA DEPARTMENT
                        80 SW 8^TH STREET, SUITE 2600
                        MIAMI – FL - 33130

Source: Consulate General of Brazil - Miami