Federative Republic of Brazil · residence general · Leads to settlement
MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Guidance updated 10 September 2026. Full-review date shown above.
Treaty-based residence for nationals of MERCOSUR member and associated states, with a path from temporary to indefinite residence.
- Processing time
- The Ministry of Justice route overview does not publish a processing estimate. Check the responsible Brazilian consulate for an overseas visa application, or the Federal Police for an in-country residence application.
- Government fees
- Check the responsible Brazilian consulate or Federal Police service for the charges applicable to your application. The Ministry of Justice route overview does not provide a numeric fee table.
- Typical duration
- Temporary residence is typically granted for up to two years and can be converted to indefinite residence on meeting the decree requirements; confirm current terms on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
Treaty-based residence for nationals of MERCOSUR member and associated states, with a path from temporary to indefinite residence. Guidance updated 10 September 2026. Costs, application stages and eligibility conditions are set out with their sources below.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/brazil/mercosur-residence#answer
What is the MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII) in Federative Republic of Brazil?
MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII) is an unsponsored Brazil route. Indicative government fees are Check the responsible Brazilian consulate or Federal Police service for the charges applicable to your application. The Ministry of Justice route overview does not provide a numeric fee table; indicative processing time is The Ministry of Justice route overview does not publish a processing estimate. Check the responsible Brazilian consulate for an overseas visa application, or the Federal Police for an in-country residence application; typical duration is Temporary residence is typically granted for up to two years and can be converted to indefinite residence on meeting the decree requirements; confirm current terms on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Primary guidance checked with Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) on 10 September 2026.
Overview
Under the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement (internalised in Brazil by Decree 6.975/2009), nationals of the agreement signatory states can establish temporary residence in Brazil on the basis of nationality rather than a specific economic activity. Applicants abroad obtain a VITEM XIII MERCOSUR temporary residence visa through a consulate; those already in Brazil can request residence directly from the Federal Police without a visa. After two years of temporary residence, holders may convert to indefinite residence if the decree requirements are met.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant is a national of a state party to the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement (or an associated state covered by the agreement).Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- ✓A valid travel document evidencing the qualifying nationality is held.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- ✓A clean criminal-record certificate is presented as required by the agreement.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- ✓The request is made at a consulate (VITEM XIII) abroad or at the Federal Police in Brazil.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
Common blockers
- !Nationality is not covered by the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- !Criminal-record or document requirements under the decree are not met.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- !Conditions for converting temporary to indefinite residence are not satisfied at the two-year point.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport or national document evidencing qualifying MERCOSUR nationality.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- ·Criminal-record certificates from countries of prior residence.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- ·Birth or civil-status documents where required.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
- ·Proof of entry / current status if applying from within Brazil.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your nationality is covered by the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement under Decree 6.975/2009 on the official portal.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your passport, criminal-record certificates, and civil-status documents required by the agreement.
Submit through the official channel
Apply for the VITEM XIII visa at a Brazilian consulate if abroad, or request residence directly at the Federal Police if already in Brazil.
After approval
Register with the Federal Police for the CRNM card, then apply to convert to indefinite residence after two years if you meet the decree requirements.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII), 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. 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. 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. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 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. 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 application links
Where to actually go next
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.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII).
Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) · verified
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Related routes
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.
Residence authorization for work (VITEM V)
Residence authorization for foreign nationals coming to Brazil to work, generally initiated by a Brazilian employer.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which nationalities qualify for MERCOSUR residence in Brazil?+
The Ministry of Justice guidance lists Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Applicants abroad use the VITEM XIII consular route; those already in Brazil can apply for residence through the Federal Police. Check the linked official guidance for your circumstances.
Does MERCOSUR temporary residence become permanent?+
It can. After two years of temporary residence, holders may convert to indefinite residence through the Federal Police if they meet the requirements set out in Decree 6.975/2009.
Can I apply for MERCOSUR residence after I'm already in Brazil, without a visa?+
Yes. If you are already in Brazil, you can request MERCOSUR residence directly from the Federal Police without a visa; only applicants abroad obtain the VITEM XIII temporary residence visa through a consulate.
As a South American national, can I get Brazilian residence without a job or investment?+
Potentially yes. Under the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement, nationals of member and associated states can establish residence in Brazil on the basis of nationality rather than a specific economic activity. Confirm that your nationality is currently covered on the official Ministry of Justice portal.
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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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: 10 September 2026