Brazil Digital Nomad Visa

The standard application review period is from 2 weeks to 3 months. The processing of documents through the MigranteWeb system (for those in Brazil) can take up to 3 months. The speed is affected:

• Correctness of filling out documents;
• Queue at the Immigration Department (priority is given to applications for refugee and family reunification);
• Seasonality (peak loads in December–January).

It is recommended to apply for an extension 30-60 days before the deadline. The procedure takes up to 1 month, as it does not require the re-collection of a complete set of documents. For an extension, it is necessary to confirm the relevance of income and the absence of criminal records for the period of stay.

Foreigners are required to visit the Federal Police station within the first 90 days after entry. Registration takes 1-2 business days, after which a resident ID card (CRNM) is issued. Missing the deadline will result in fines or visa cancellation.

It will take 1-2 days to fill out the form. After sending the application, the waiting time for a response is 60-90 days (especially when submitted at the end of the year).

The analysis of the package of documents is carried out within 5-7 business days. If errors are detected, a notification is sent demanding that the corrected files be provided within 10 days. Repeated verification takes another 3-5 days.

The card is issued on the day of contacting the Federal Police, subject to a complete set of documents. The physical production of plastic takes up to 14 days, but the electronic version is immediately entered into the national database.

The document is considered valid for 3 months from the date of issue. If the applicant did not have time to submit documents during this period, the certificate needs to be updated. The apostille and translation must also be completed within this time limit.

The policy must cover the entire validity period of the visa, including a potential extension. For example, when obtaining a 1-year visa, insurance is issued for a minimum of 12 months. Short-term policies (for 3-6 months) are not accepted, even with an extension option.

The validity period of the passport must be at least 6 months after the expected expiration of the visa. The passport must have at least 4 blank pages for inserting the visa and other marks. The passport must be in good condition, without damage.

To confirm the status of a digital nomad, you can provide:

• Contract with a foreign company (confirming remote work);
• Documents on registration of your own business outside Brazil;
• A letter from the employer confirming the nature of the work and the amount of payment;
• A portfolio of completed projects (for freelancers).

Important: the documents must clearly prove that the work is not related to Brazilian companies and all income comes from abroad.

Proof of a monthly income of at least $1,500 (or the equivalent in another currency) is required. Alternatively, it is allowed to have savings of $18,000 in a bank account. Supporting documents may include bank statements (for the last 3 months), income statement (2-personal income tax with translation into Portuguese), tax returns, contracts with clients indicating the amount of remuneration.

The insurance must be valid for the entire period of stay in Brazil and cover all medical expenses. It is not necessary to apply for expensive insurance plans – even basic travel insurance is accepted. The insurance document must contain information in English (a Portuguese translation is usually not required).

All documents in foreign languages must be translated (into Portuguese or English). Official documents (certificates, certificates) require an apostille. Translations must be performed by a certified translator. In some cases, notarization of translations may be required.

To include family members in the application, you must:

• Foreign passports of all family members;
• Birth certificates of children with apostille and translation;
• Marriage certificate with apostille and translation;
• For school–age children – a certificate from a school in Brazil;
• Passport-size photos for each family member;
• Health insurance for each family member.

Important: The minimum income threshold ($1,500) is usually not increased when family members are included in the application.

Upon arrival in Brazil, you must register with the Federal Police during the first 90 days of your stay and provide the originals of all documents that were submitted when applying for a visa. Go through the fingerprinting procedure. After registration, a Resident ID Card (CRNM) is issued, which is the main identity document in Brazil. This card gives you access to bank accounts, money transfers, and social rights.

• A rental agreement with the name of the visa holder;
• Registration at the place of residence (performed with the help of the landlord);
• Utility bill (electricity, water, Internet).

In some cases, it may be necessary to visit a notary’s office (registry office) together with the landlord to register.

The procedure consists of 4 main steps:

• Preparation of documents (2-4 weeks). The stage of collecting certificates, translation and legalization.
• Application submission (1-3 days). Entering data into the MigranteWeb system or contacting the consulate in person.
• Application review (3-8 weeks). Verification of documents by immigration authorities.
• Obtaining a visa and registering in Brazil (1-2 weeks after arrival).

The average cost is $450-800. They include:

• Consular fee ($100-200);
• Legalization of documents ($150-300);
• Medical insurance ($200-300 per annual policy);
• Translation services ($50-100);
• Additional expenses (photos, copies, postal services) – $50-100.

The current amount of consular fees ranges from $120 to $180, depending on the applicant’s nationality. 

Expenses include apostille ($30-80 per document), notarial translation ($20-40 per page), consular legalization ($50-100 in the absence of an apostille agreement). For a standard package (passport, income statement, criminal record certificate), the total amount reaches $200-300.

The insurance must cover emergency hospitalization (minimum $30,000), repatriation of remains (from $10,000), dental care for injuries (from $1,000). The cost of the policy for persons under 35 years of age is $200-250, over 50 years of age – $ 400-600. International insurers are recommended: Allianz, Cigna, Aetna.

The MigranteWeb system provides for a registration fee ($80), an application processing fee ($120), and an expedited review (optional) of $200. Total: $200-400 excluding the cost of preparing documents.

Additional costs for each family member include a consular fee ($50-100), medical insurance (+40-60% of the base rate), and document translation ($30-50 per person). At the same time, the minimum income requirement remaining at $1,500 is not increased.

Upon arrival in Brazil, registration with the Federal Police (state fee $30), production of an ID card ($50), notary registration of the address ($100-200), opening a bank account (bank commission $20-50) will be required.

Only unused medical insurance (if cancelled prior to entry) and overpaid consular fees (in case of a technical error) can be refunded. Funds for legalizing documents and transfers will not be refunded.

It is not possible to obtain Brazilian citizenship directly through a digital nomad visa. The Digital Nomad Visa provides a temporary residence permit for a period of 1 year with the possibility of extension for another 1 year, that is, a maximum of 2 years of legal residence in the country is possible with this visa. Legal residence in the country for at least 4 years is required to apply for Brazilian citizenship.