Migrate to Brazil: How To Apply, Citizenship, Permanent Residency

There are six different ways a person may be eligible for a permanent visa
The spouse of a Brazilian citizen will get a permanent visa only if they plan on residing in Brazil permanently
After living in Brazil for 4 years with a permanent visa, foreigners can apply for naturalization

Brazil is a beautiful country that attracts people of all ages from across the world as a holiday destination as well as a home. To migrate to Brazil, one needs a permanent visa. Find out more about the different types of permanent visas available and the documents needed for them here.

Brazil is a great place for people who want to live well-rounded lives. The country’s rich cultural diversity is a result of the welcoming immigrants from around the world for centuries. 22% of the population in the city of Rio de Janeiro is immigrants. Similarly, immigrants account for 18.2% of Sao Paulo’s population.

Why Migrate to Brazil

Moving to Brazil has a number of advantages. The people here are amongst the friendliest in the world and are very family oriented. Brazil has a growing economy that offers plenty of jobs to English speakers. Citizens can avail of free public healthcare as well as private health care.

Many people also choose to migrate to Brazil for its natural beauty. On one hand, the country has a long coastline with sandy beaches while on the other it is home to the Amazon rainforest.

How to Migrate to Brazil

People who want to migrate to Brazil and make it their home need a permanent visa. This can be applied for directly or a temporary visa can be converted to a permanent visa. There are 6 categories of the Brazilian permanent visa. These are:

1. Family Reunion

The spouse and dependents of a Brazilian citizen or permanent resident are eligible for this visa. It is important to note that a person who gets married to Brazilian citizen or permanent resident can apply for this visa only if the Brazilian citizen already lives in Brazil or if the couple plan to live in Brazil permanently. The documents necessary for this visa include:

A letter from the sponsor stating the reason for moving to Brazil
Proof of relationship – birth certificate for children, siblings, parents and grandparents and marriage license for a spouse
Copy of the Brazilian sponsor’s ID
An affidavit signed by the Brazilian sponsor stating that he/she takes full financial and moral responsibility for the applicant
Valid passport
Recent address proof
Proof of the applicant’s highest educational qualification
Bank statements for the last three months

2. Retirement Residence Transfer

A number of retirees choose to migrate to Brazil for their later years. To get a permanent visa a retiree the applicant must register as a transference of retirement pension. This process can be initiated in the applicant’s home country or at a Brazilian consulate. The documents necessary for this visa include:

A notarized letter attesting the applicant’s retirement
Documented proof of receiving a monthly pension of at least six thousand Reais. In the case of more than two dependents, an additional two thousand reais per extra dependent should be available.
A notarized statement certifying that the applicant’s pension can be transferred to Brazil every month.
Valid passport
Recent address proof
Proof of the applicant’s highest educational qualification
Bank statements for the last three months

3. Work as a Manager/Director of a Religious Organization or Social Assistance Organization

Every year a number of NGO volunteers and workers, missionaries and preachers come to Brazil. If they are employed in directorial or managerial positions, they may migrate to Brazil with a Brazilian permanent visa. The documents necessary for this visa include:

Documents certifying conditions of service to be provided
Documents stating the type of activities to be pursued
Documentation by the Brazilian sponsoring organization stating that they will be responsible for the applicant’s living expenses
Guarantee that the applicant will return to his native country after the visa expires
Valid health insurance
Registered assignment act
Proof of the sponsoring company’s existence
Valid passport
Recent address proof
Proof of the applicant’s highest educational qualification
Bank statements for the last three months

4. Personal Investment in Brazil

This is probably the easiest route migrate to Brazil and get residency. By investing in Brazil, the applicant and his/ her family are eligible for a permanent visa. The documents necessary for this visa include:

Proof of direct investment of at least five hundred thousand Reais in a productive activity in Brazil
Proof of direct investment of one hundred fifty thousand to five hundred thousand Reais in a relevant innovation project or company in Brazil
Valid passport
Recent address proof
Proof of the applicant’s highest educational qualification
Bank statements for the last three months

5. Intra-Company Transferee to Work as Manager, Director, or Executive

Brazilian companies can employ foreigners in management positions with a permanent visa as long as they invest at least six hundred thousand Reais for each foreigner or invest one hundred fifty thousand Reais and provide 10 new jobs. The documents necessary for this visa include:

Copy of the company’s articles of association and by-laws
Acts of appointments for the foreigners to be transferred to Brazil
Proof of investment
In the case of a lower investment; act committing to the generation of new jobs
Valid passport
Recent address proof
Proof of the applicant’s highest educational qualification
Bank statements for the last three months

6. Person of Extraordinary Ability

People with extraordinary abilities in science, technology, academics or research can also apply for a permanent visa if they have a job offer from a Brazilian academic institution or scientific research organization. This includes teaching positions. To be eligible to migrate to Brazil with a permanent visa, the applicant must have proof of his/her educational expertise and its relevance to the job being offered. Other documents necessary for this visa include:

Valid passport
Recent address proof
Proof of the applicant’s highest educational qualification
Bank statements for the last three months

Naturalization

Anyone who chooses to migrate to Brazil eventually needs citizenship. An immigrant can apply for naturalization after living in the country for at least 4 years without interruption. Some of the other criteria to be met include:

The applicant must have a clean criminal record
The applicant must be able to speak and write in Portuguese
The applicant must have sufficient funds to support himself/ herself and dependents

The spouse, parent, and child of a Brazilian citizen may apply for citizenship after living in the country for only 1 year. Children born to foreign parents in Brazil automatically get Brazilian citizenship on birth.

How to Migrate to Brazil – 6 Categories of Brazilian Permanent Visa