Foreigners and Citizenship: living in Brazil with legal certainty
Moving to another country is a decision that involves family, work, studies and many documents. For those arriving in Brazil, understanding immigration rules, deadlines and the authorities in charge can be challenging, especially when the language is still a barrier. A simple mistake on a form or a document without the proper translation can delay months of planning.
We advise foreigners, companies hiring professionals from other countries and binational families at every stage: choosing the right visa or residence permit, gathering documents, following the applications and, later on, naturalization. We serve clients in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Visas and residence permits
Brazil's Migration Law, from 2017, organizes the entry and stay of immigrants in the country. As a rule, a visa is requested at a Brazilian consulate abroad, before traveling. There are visit visas, for tourism and short business trips, and temporary visas for purposes such as work, study, research, investment, family reunion and humanitarian reception.
Those already in the country can, in many cases, apply directly for a residence permit, which is reviewed by the Federal Police or the Ministry of Justice, depending on the case. After registration, the immigrant receives the National Migration Registry Card, the CRNM, an identification document in Brazil.
Each type has its own requirements, and making the right choice from the start avoids rework. We analyze your goal and situation to indicate the most suitable path.
Work and investment
Companies wishing to hire foreign professionals must follow specific procedures for residence permits for work purposes, with a contract, proof of qualifications and other documents. There are also options for investors, highly qualified professionals and remote workers who provide services to companies abroad.
We assist both the professional and the company, organizing the documents and following the application until the migration document is issued.
Remote workers, known as digital nomads, also have a specific type of visa and residence, provided they prove a relationship with an employer or clients abroad and a minimum income. Foreign retirees with a stable income may also have access to their own permit. In all cases, the minimum amounts and required documents are set by rules that change fairly often, so we check the current rules before each application.
Family reunion
The law guarantees immigrants the right to bring family members to live in Brazil and also allows spouses, partners, children and other relatives of Brazilians to obtain residence. The relationship must be proven with documents such as marriage or birth certificates, duly legalized.
Documents issued abroad generally need to be apostilled, in countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention, or legalized at the consulate, and translated by a sworn translator in Brazil. We guide each step so that nothing is left pending.
Brazilian naturalization
Ordinary naturalization requires, among other things, residence in Brazil for at least four years, the ability to communicate in Portuguese and no criminal conviction, under the terms of the law. This period may be reduced to as little as one year in specific situations, such as having a Brazilian child or a Brazilian spouse.
The law also provides for extraordinary naturalization, for those who have lived in the country for more than fifteen uninterrupted years, as well as special types. The application is filed with the Ministry of Justice and requires complete documentation and proof of each requirement. We help check whether you already meet the conditions and put the application together in an organized way.
Regularization and other situations
We also work on the immigration regularization of people with expired documents, renewal of permits, asylum requests, appeals against denials and obtaining a CPF and other registrations needed to work, open a bank account and rent a home.
For professionals who graduated abroad, we advise on the revalidation of diplomas and recognition of degrees, which are usually required to practice regulated professions in Brazil.
We also advise on immigrants' everyday rights, such as access to public health care, education and the labor market, which the Migration Law guarantees on equal terms with Brazilians.
How our service works
The first step is a conversation, online or in person, in the language you feel most comfortable with. We understand your goal, your current situation and the desired timeline. We then send in writing the recommended path, the list of documents and the fee proposal.
You follow deadlines and progress through the client portal. We cannot guarantee the decision of public authorities, which review each application, but we guarantee careful preparation, clear communication and close follow-up so that your application has the best conditions to move forward.
