Visa policy of Brazil
The government of Brazil allows citizens of specific countries and territories to travel to Brazil without a visa.
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[edit] Visa waivers
Citizens of the following countries do not need a passport or visa to visit Brazil for business or tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days (60 days for citizens of Venezuela). An identity document is accepted instead of a passport.[1]
Citizens of the following countries, territories and entities do not require a visa to visit Brazil for business or tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days.[1]
Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Brazil for tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days.[1]
Brazil signed visa waiver agreements with Serbia on June 20, 2010[2] and with Albania on October 27, 2011[3], and they are pending ratification.
Although Brazilian visa policy is based on reciprocity, and none of the countries of the European Union require visas for Brazilian citizens, Brazil currently still requires visas to be held by citizens of Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Malta, which acceded to the European Union in 2004. A treaty abolishing these requirements and thus restoring full reciprocity was signed on November 8, 2010 and it is pending ratification by Brazil.[4]
Brazilian nationals must enter and leave Brazil with their Brazilian passport or Brazilian identity card, even if they also hold a passport of another country.[5]
[edit] Visa requirements
[edit] Tourist visa
Eligibility
- Tourists
- People visiting relatives or friends
- Unpaid participation in athletic or artistic event or competition. An invitation letter from the sponsoring organization in Brazil is required.
- Unpaid participation in a scientific/academic seminar or conference sponsored by a research or academic institution. An invitation letter from the sponsoring organization in Brazil is required.
Terms and Conditions
- Tourist visa holders are prohibited to engage in business, work, or academic activities in Brazil.
- For citizens of some countries, the first arrival in Brazil must take place within 90 days from the date the visa was issued.
- This visa is good for multiple entries within the visa's duration. Please note that even when the validity of the visa exceeds 90 days, authorized stays are for a maximum of a 90 day period per visit. If necessary, an extension may be submitted to the Federal Police in Brazil, if requested prior to the expiration of the authorized stay (special requirements apply). Tourist visa holders are allowed to stay in the Brazilian territory a maximum of 180 days over a 12-month period.
- For citizens of countries without diplomatic relations with Brazil, such as Kosovo and Taiwan, a visa is issued on a laissez-passer.
[edit] Short-stay business visa
People wishing to visit Brazil for a short period for the purpose of making or meeting with business contacts, attending trade fairs, speaking at conferences etc. are required to apply for a short-stay business visa, which is also valid for a stay of up to 90 days.
[edit] Temporary residence visa/work visa
Anyone wishing to live and work in Brazil will be required to apply for a temporary residence visa. To obtain a temporary visa for employment purposes, you will need to secure a job offer from a Brazilian company or government department, or a foreign company based in Brazil, and they will be required to apply to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Labour on your behalf. The criteria for approval of an employment visa include suitable educational qualifications or work experience, a secured employment contract in Brazil, provide proof of adequate means of subsistence in Brazil, police confirmation that you have no criminal record, and a satisfactory medical examination. All official documents must be translated into Portuguese. The application processing period is normally around 2-3 months. Employment visas are issued for a specific job, and are not transferable between employers in Brazil without permission. Visas are also issued to the employment-visa holder's spouse and children.
[edit] Permanent visas
There are seven categories of application for a permanent visa to live and work in Brazil. These include marriage and family unification categories, as well as categories covering business executives and entrepreneurs, high level specialists, investors and retired people.
[edit] Business people and professionals
Permanent visas are issued to administrators, managers and directors of professional or business corporations, who are already employed by the company and are moving to Brazil on intra-company transfer. There is a minimum requirement for the parent company to invest at least US$ 200,000 per visa in the Brazil-based subsidiary, and to provide evidence that they are bringing value to Brazil in the form of increased productivity, technology transfer or social benefits. Visas are also issued to administrators, managers or directors of start-up companies, who are not required to meet the minimum investment or job creation criteria which apply to established companies. Researchers or other high-level specialists employed by Brazilian research institutions may also be granted a permanent visa.
[edit] Investors
Resident investor status may be granted to foreign nationals wishing to invest a minimum of US$ 50,000 in a Brazilian business or productive activity. There is a requirement to demonstrate a good knowledge of Portuguese. Investment funds must be submitted through the Central Bank of Brazil. Investor visas are issued for an initial 5 years, renewable on approval of a satisfactory investment plan and on confirmation that the investor has created jobs for at least 10 Brazilian nationals. Resident investors can apply for Brazilian citizenship after 4 years; prior to this they have many of the rights of citizens, except for voting rights.
[edit] Retired people
Foreign nationals aged over 50 can apply for a permanent visa if they will be transferring the equivalent of at least US$ 2,000 to Brazil every month. Visas are also issued to up to two dependants, but there is a requirement to transfer an additional US$1,000 per dependant per month. Documentary proof of income and a bank declaration authorizing the monthly transfer are required. Applicants for permanent residence visas are required to submit their passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and a police certificate of no criminal record, issued within the last 90 days.
[edit] Registration
On arrival in Brazil, any holders of visas for more than 90 days duration are required to register with the Federal Police, and obtain an identity card. Those intending to work in Brazil must obtain a work card from the Labor Department and a tax identification card from the Ministry of Finance.
[edit] Citizenship
Foreign nationals can apply for Brazilian nationality by naturalization if they have lived in Brazil for a continuous period of at least four years, have no criminal record, and can read and write Portuguese, among other requirements. The residency period can be reduced to only one, two or three years in some cases, and there are fewer requirements for those who have lived in Brazil for at least fifteen years.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Entrance visas in Brazil, Ministry of Foreign Relations of Brazil.
- ^ Visas between Brazil and Serbia, Embassy of Brazil in Belgrade. (Portuguese)
- ^ Agreement between the government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania on exemption of visa requirements, Ministry of Foreign Relations of Brazil
- ^ Agreement between the European Union and the Federative Republic of Brazil on short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports, European Commission.
- ^ Tourist Visa, Consulate-General of Brazil in Houston.
- ^ Types of Brazilian Naturalization, Ministry of Justice of Brazil. (Portuguese)
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