Federative Republic of Brazil · residence general · Leads to settlement
Residence for retirees and pensioners
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 1 official citation reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Residence authorization for retired immigrants and recipients of a pension who can transfer a qualifying monthly income to Brazil, under CNIg Resolution 40/2019.
- Processing time
- The authority publishes current processing expectations for the retiree/pensioner route on the official page.
- Government fees
- The authority publishes the current income requirement and any government/consular fees on the official route page.
- Typical duration
- Initial residence is granted for up to two years and is renewable; confirm current terms on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 1 June 2026, the Residence for retirees and pensioners for Federative Republic of Brazil is an unsponsored Brazil immigration route. Sources: official Federative Republic of Brazil government pages, reviewed 1 June 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/brazil/retiree-residence#answer
What is the Residence for retirees and pensioners in Federative Republic of Brazil?
Residence for retirees and pensioners is an unsponsored Brazil route. Indicative government fees are The authority publishes the current income requirement and any government/consular fees on the official route page; indicative processing time is The authority publishes current processing expectations for the retiree/pensioner route on the official page; typical duration is Initial residence is granted for up to two years and is renewable; confirm current terms on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg on 1 June 2026.
Overview
CNIg Resolution 40/2019 provides a temporary visa and residence authorization for retirees and for beneficiaries of a death pension who can evidence the regular transfer of a qualifying monthly income in foreign currency to Brazil. Applicants abroad present documents to a consulate for the temporary visa; those already in Brazil request the authorization from the Ministry of Justice. Residence is granted initially for up to two years and is renewable.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant is a retiree or a beneficiary of a death-pension benefit.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- ✓The applicant can transfer to Brazil a qualifying monthly income in foreign currency as set by CNIg Resolution 40/2019.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- ✓A valid travel document and a clean criminal-record certificate are presented.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- ✓Health insurance and supporting documents are provided where the resolution requires.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
Common blockers
- !Monthly transferable income below the threshold set by the resolution.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- !Pension or retirement income not evidenced as regular and transferable to Brazil.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- !Missing criminal-record or supporting documentation.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Proof of retirement or death-pension benefit.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- ·Evidence of the monthly income transfer in foreign currency.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- ·Valid passport and criminal-record certificate.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
- ·Health insurance documentation where required.Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your retirement/pension status and the current income threshold against CNIg Resolution 40/2019 on the official portal.
Build the evidence pack
Gather proof of pension, evidence of the qualifying monthly transfer, passport, and criminal-record certificate.
Submit through the official channel
Present documents to a Brazilian consulate for the temporary visa, or request the residence authorization from the Ministry of Justice if already in Brazil.
After approval
Enter Brazil on the temporary visa where applicable and register with the Federal Police to receive the CRNM residence card.
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 Residence for retirees and pensioners route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Residence for retirees and pensioners.
Ministerio da Justica e Seguranca Publica (MJSP) / CNIg · verified
Also explored by
Compare Federative Republic of Brazil with
Related routes
Residence authorization for investment
Residence authorization for foreign nationals making a qualifying investment in Brazil, including real-estate investment under CNIg Resolution 36/2018.
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.
MERCOSUR residence agreement (VITEM XIII)
Treaty-based residence for nationals of MERCOSUR member and associated states, with a path from temporary to indefinite residence.
Frequently asked questions
What income do I need to retire in Brazil?+
CNIg Resolution 40/2019 requires evidence that you can transfer a qualifying monthly income in foreign currency to Brazil. Because the figure is set by resolution, confirm the current amount on the official Ministry of Justice page before applying.
How long is the retiree residence valid?+
The initial residence is granted for up to two years and is renewable, providing a path toward longer-term residence. Confirm current renewal terms on the official 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.
Find a regulated advisor in BrazilHow 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) / CNIg
Last checked: 1 June 2026