Federative Republic of Brazil visas
Brazil administers immigration under the 2017 Migration Law through three coordinated bodies: the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), whose National Immigration Council (CNIg) issues the resolutions defining each residence route; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which issues VITEM temporary visas at consulates; and the Federal Police, which registers immigrants and issues the CRNM residence card. Headline routes cover work residence, real-estate investment, the digital-nomad authorisation, family reunion, MERCOSUR-treaty residence and retiree residence.
6 routes · 5 without a sponsor · 5 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Portal de Imigração (MigranteWeb) ↗ · Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública (MJSP)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB) — Statutory body regulating the legal profession in Brazil; only OAB-registered advogados may provide legal consultation, including on immigration and residence matters.
Visa routes (6)
Residence authorization for work (VITEM V)
Residence authorization for foreign nationals coming to Brazil to work, generally initiated by a Brazilian employer.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Residence authorization for investment
Residence authorization for foreign nationals making a qualifying investment in Brazil, including real-estate investment under CNIg Resolution 36/2018.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Digital nomad residence (VITEM XIV)
Residence authorization and VITEM XIV temporary visa for remote workers employed by or contracting with employers outside Brazil.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Family reunion residence (VITEM XI)
Residence authorization for family members of Brazilian nationals or of immigrants who hold residence in Brazil, under Interministerial Ordinance 12/2018.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 23 July 2026
MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII)
Treaty-based residence for nationals of MERCOSUR member and associated states, with a path from temporary to indefinite residence.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 23 July 2026
Residence for retirees and pensioners
Residence authorization for retired immigrants and recipients of a death pension who can transfer at least US$2,000 per month to Brazil, under CNIg Resolution 40/2019.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 17 August 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Federative Republic of Brazil have?+
We cover 6 Federative Republic of Brazil visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, investor, digital nomad, family, and general residence. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Federative Republic of Brazil visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
5 of the 6 Federative Republic of Brazil routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 1 are employer-sponsored.
Which Federative Republic of Brazil visas lead to permanent residence?+
5 of the 6 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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