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Federative Republic of Brazil · family · Leads to settlement

Family reunion residence (VITEM XI)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 1 official citation reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Residence authorization for family members of Brazilian nationals or of immigrants who hold residence in Brazil, under Interministerial Ordinance 12/2018.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyResidence is generally aligned to the sponsoring relationship and the sponsor status, with renewal and a pathway toward indefinite residence; confirm current terms on the official page.
Processing time
The authority publishes current processing expectations for family-reunion requests on the official route page.
Government fees
The authority publishes current government and consular fees on the official route page.
Typical duration
Residence is generally aligned to the sponsoring relationship and the sponsor status, with renewal and a pathway toward indefinite residence; confirm current terms on the official page.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗

In short

As of 23 July 2026, the Family reunion residence (VITEM XI) for Federative Republic of Brazil is an unsponsored Brazil immigration route. Sources: official Federative Republic of Brazil government pages, reviewed 23 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/brazil/family-reunion#answer

What is the Family reunion residence (VITEM XI) in Federative Republic of Brazil?

Family reunion residence (VITEM XI) is an unsponsored Brazil route. Indicative government fees are The authority publishes current government and consular fees on the official route page; indicative processing time is The authority publishes current processing expectations for family-reunion requests on the official route page; typical duration is Residence is generally aligned to the sponsoring relationship and the sponsor status, with renewal and a pathway toward indefinite residence; confirm current terms on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

Family reunion residence is governed by Interministerial Ordinance 12/2018. It allows defined family members of a Brazilian national or of an immigrant who holds residence authorization to obtain residence in Brazil. Applicants abroad obtain a VITEM XI family-reunion temporary visa through a consulate; those already in Brazil request the authorization at a Federal Police unit. Beneficiaries may undertake any activity, including paid work, on equal terms with Brazilian nationals.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the relationship qualifies under Interministerial Ordinance 12/2018 on the official portal.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather legalised/apostilled relationship certificates, the sponsor nationality or residence proof, passport, and criminal-record certificate.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply for the VITEM XI visa at a Brazilian consulate if abroad, or request the authorization at a Federal Police unit if already in Brazil.

  4. After approval

    Enter Brazil on the family-reunion visa where applicable and register with the Federal Police to receive the CRNM residence card.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Family reunion residence (VITEM XI), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Family reunion residence (VITEM XI) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Brazil

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Brazil. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Family reunion residence (VITEM XI) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Family reunion residence (VITEM XI).

    Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Who can sponsor a family-reunion residence in Brazil?+

A Brazilian national or an immigrant who already holds residence authorization in Brazil can sponsor qualifying family members under Interministerial Ordinance 12/2018. Confirm the exact eligible relationships on the official portal.

Can family-reunion residents work in Brazil?+

Yes. Immigrants granted family-reunion residence may carry out any activity, including paid employment, on equal terms with Brazilian nationals.

Can I apply for a Brazil family-reunion visa from inside Brazil, or do I have to do it from my home country?+

Either is possible. Family members abroad apply for the VITEM XI visa at a Brazilian consulate, while those already in Brazil request the authorization at a Federal Police unit. Relationship certificates generally need to be legalised or apostilled.

Can I bring my partner to Brazil if I only hold residence and am not a Brazilian citizen?+

Yes. An immigrant who already holds residence authorization in Brazil, not only a Brazilian national, can sponsor qualifying family members for family-reunion residence under Interministerial Ordinance 12/2018. The sponsor's residence must be formalised, as a sponsor whose residence is not yet formalised is a common blocker.

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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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

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