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| São Paulo Local Reference INFOrmation
Information on permanent residency for foreigners living in Brazil. Who needs what, where to go, how to make the application and the documentation required.
In order to legally live and/or work in Brazil a person must either:
Any foreigner entering Brazil must have a passport (valid for at least six months after the date of arrival) and depending on their nationality, a visa. A business or tourist visa is issued on arrival for some nationalities or obtained from the appropriate Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in their place of residence prior to travelling to Brazil. Tourist and business visas are usually valid for ninety days. Visitors can extend their visa by ninety days once in any twelve month period at a Federal Police (Polícia Federal) office. It is an offence to stay in Brazil beyond the duration of the visa. Individuals who do so will be fined based on how many days they overstay up to a maximum fine limit. Individuals on 90 day visas may seek a special extension if they require urgent medical attention or if they are involved in certain legal issues, such as being required to testify in court as a witness. Individuals who are issued work visas may stay longer than the 90/180 day visa limit but do not acquire permanent residency status. Likewise, extended visas may be issued to graduate or post graduate students, journalists and correspondents, researchers and scientists and some artists and performers (for example, when touring). As with work visas they do not confer permanent residency status and have a fixed expiration date. Overstaying this type of visa is also an offence which will incur a fine. Who is Eligible for Permanent Residency in Brazil?Foreign nationals can qualify for full (permanent) residency in a number of ways:
In addition, former residents who have lost their residency status (due to being out of the country for two years or more) may also reapply. Residency may also be granted to political refugees or those seeking asylum. Documents requiredApplicants will have to provide a valid passport, passport photos and pay a small administration fee. Additional documents are required for the following situations: Child with Brazilian national: proof of identity of the child(ren) and of the Brazilian partner, birth certificate and declaration of the ability to support the child(ren). Marriage to a Brazilian national: proof of identity of the Brazilian partner, a marriage certificate and a declaration that the applicant is not separated or divorced from their Brazilian spouse. Family reunion: proof of identity of the current Brazilian resident and of the family member who is seeking residency, proof of relationship between family members (such as a birth or marriage certificate), declaration that the person seeking residency has not been charged or convicted of a crime inside or outside Brazil, proof that the current Brazilian resident family member can support the applicant financially. High-level scientist or researcher: current temporary visa, declaration that the person seeking residency has not been charged or convicted of a crime inside or outside Brazil, CV and proof of qualifications, proof of more than 2 years previous work experience in the science and technology area. Refugee: proof of identity and a declaration that the person seeking residency has not been charged or convicted of a crime inside or outside Brazil as well as evidence of persecution and refugee status Retirement: individuals of at least fifty years of age who can demonstrate a minimum of $2,000 US monthly income plus $1,000 per additional dependent. Evidence of income. Investment: individuals who invest a minimum of $150,000 in a Brazilian company or real estate may qualify for residency. However, residency will need to be renewed every three years and the individual must prove that the company is in good standing and creating jobs. In some cases, depending on the person's situation, other documents will be required over and above those stated here. For further information from the Ministry of Justice website: Click here (in Portuguese). In addition, individuals will need to have finger and thumb prints taken. In all cases, all documents must be authentic copies or originals and and certain documents (proof of qualifications for example) need to be translated by a sworn translator if they are in a language other than Portuguese. Documents can be notarised at a local Civil Registry Office (Cartório de Regístro Civil) in Brazil if the application is being carried out in Brazil, but if the application is being carried out from abroad; documents being forwarded to Brazil must be authenticated at the Consulate of the persons home country.
In addition, each claim for residency must be accompanied by a receipt to show the relevant administration fee has been paid. Payment will need to be made at the local Federal Police office (Polícia Federal).
Other documents may also be required depending on each individual case.
Applying for ResidencyApplying for residency can be a complex process, particularly if the applicant does not speak Portuguese fluently. The process can be facilitated by hiring a despachante (administrative facilitator) or advogado (lawyer) who specialises in this area. Individuals already in Brazil can apply for residency if they fulfill one of the above criteria. Applications can be made immediately upon arrival, although the process will take at least six months and can take up to two years. During the process they will receive temporary documentation which will allow them to stay and seek employment. Residency permits for individuals already in Brazil are issued by the local or nearest Polícia Federal Office. Individuals outside of Brazil seeking permanent residency should contact their nearest Brazilian Consulate to begin the process of applying for a permanent visa. Once this visa has been obtained the individual must then visit Brazil (normally within 90 days) to complete the process at an appropriate Polícia Federal office. Individuals must be living in Brazil to obtain residency. Once the application has been made, the person obtains a protocol number straight away which serves as temporary evidence of residency status. An individual is considered legal in Brazil with this document even if their visa expires. They may also apply for a Carteira de Trabalho or work-permit, valid until the process is complete and they may seek employment in Brazil or set up their own business. Applicants can check the status of the process on the Ministry of Justice website.
Once the process is complete (this can take up to two years) it will be published in the Official Journal of the Union (Diário Oficial da União), which can be bought at most newsstands and is published daily. Applicants have 90 days to return to their local Federal Police office and will need to take a printed copy of the publication in the Diário Oficial da União. The applicant will then be issued with their foreigner's identity card (Cédula de Identidade para Estrangeiro - CIE) which contains the Registro National De Estrangeiro (RNE), the identity number for non-nationals. The card will be required when seeking employment and in many other situations in Brazil. It is larger than a credit card, is laminated and shows a photo, thumb print and identity number.
Note: If a resident has a change of personal information, such as a name change, it must be submitted to the Policía Federal within 30 days. Paying Administration FeesIn order to be able to pay administration fees at a Federal Police office, print out a form from the Federal Police website. The form is called a Guia de Recolhimento da União and contains drop down boxes to choose the appropriate Federal Police office, the service required, full name of parents and address.
The form has a bar code on it that is scanned when payment is made, the Police then stamp the form as proof of payment. There are no Internet facilities available within the Federal Police offices. However, it is usually easy to find a despachante (administrative facilitator) office nearby providing services printing off and filling in the form for a small fee. Individual Taxpayer's Identification NumberIn addition, an individual wishing to obtain employment, a cell phone contract or open a bank account will need to have a Individual Taxpayer's Number (Cadastro Pessoa Fissical - CPF). This is effectively a tax and social security number recorded in a national database that includes an individual's tax record and also serves as a credit rating. This is not a requirement of residency and non-residents may obtain a CPF in order to open a bank account or if buying property for example. To obtain the CPF, it is necessary to submit an application form at any Post Office, branch of Banco do Brasil or branch of the Caixa Econômica Federal and present the documentation required (usually the original or a certified copy of their RNE). There is a small fee. The applicant will receive a counterfoil with a code number. Thereafter, the applicant will be notified to appear at a unit of the Federal Revenue Service and present their documents and the counterfoil in order to obtain their CPF. Residents who work in Brazil, pay tax and make contributions to the state will be entitled to social security benefits based on their level of contribution. Limitations of ResidencyResidency is permanent (except in the case of investment visas) and does not expire, therefore there is no need to renew residency status once residency is obtained (although the CIE card itself needs to be renewed every nine years). However, residents leaving Brazil for more than two years will lose their residency status. They will then have to re-apply. Permanent foreign residents do not have the right to vote. Related Information
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