Brazilian Visas: How to Enter and Stay Legally in the Country
- Gabriel Albuquerque
- Mar 1, 2024
- 4 min read
It is very common for foreigners to have questions about the types of Brazilian visas, the rules, and how to apply. Additionally, it is important to know the possible legal problems of entering or staying in the country illegally, according to each person's specific situation. In this article, we will address these issues and solve the most common doubts of foreigners who wish to visit, invest, or live in Brazil.
Types of Brazilian Visas
It is important, when choosing a visa type, to have specialized legal assistance to select the most suitable visa for each individual's specific objectives. Choosing an inappropriate visa may result in the refusal of the visa application or even in the deportation of the immigrant who engages in unauthorized activities. In this article, we will cover the following types of visas:
Visitor Visa: This is the most common type, granted to foreigners who wish to visit the country for recreational, business, transit, artistic or sports activities, study, volunteer work, or participation in conferences, seminars, congresses, or meetings, among other activities, as long as there is no remuneration in Brazil and the stay does not exceed ninety days. Therefore, in Brazil, the type of visa for tourism, business, or study purposes is unified, as long as it does not exceed 90 days. Citizens of the European Union and Mercosur are exempt from visa requirements.
Investment Visa: It has a maximum validity of 4 years and may result in the granting of a permanent visa after this period, provided that the requirements are met. It can be requested for the following reasons:
Real estate investments in Brazil, with values above 700,000 Brazilian reais (approximately 140,000 US dollars at the current exchange rate as of 02/2024) in the North or Northeast Region; or with values above 1 million Brazilian reais (approximately 200,000 US dollars at the current exchange rate as of 02/2024) for properties located in other regions of the country;
Investments made in companies established in the country, with the potential to generate jobs or income;
Entrepreneurs who wish to settle in Brazil to invest in innovation, research, and development activities. Even though there are no specific values for all forms of applying for an investment visa, it is important to note that it will be necessary to prove that you have the means to make the intended investments.
Student Visa: Granted to foreigners who will study in the national territory for a period longer than 90 days. The holder of the student visa will not be authorized to engage in remunerated activities, and must also prove that they have the financial means to sustain themselves in the country during the period of their studies.
Work Visa: To obtain a work visa, it is necessary to first apply for a residence permit from the Ministry of Labor. Only after approval can the employee apply for the visa, and their family members must subsequently apply for a family reunion visa.
In addition to these, there are other visas such as retirement, health treatment, research, volunteer service, among others. All have a specific duration depending on the specific needs of each individual, and it is necessary to meet the necessary requirements for the application of each visa.
How to Apply for a Brazilian Visa:
Regardless of the type of visa, all visas must be applied for before the foreigner enters the country, directly at the Brazilian consulate or embassy in their country of origin. It is necessary for all documents issued in the country of origin to be apostilled according to the Hague Apostille Convention. In addition, in specific cases, there may be additional requirements, such as vaccination certificates.
Possible Sanctions for Entering or Staying Illegally in Brazil
In Brazil, there are different ways to remove an individual from national territory, depending on their purpose and situation.
Repatriation: Occurs when a foreigner arrives in Brazil and it is found that they do not have authorization to enter, or there is some impediment for them to enter the country. However, individuals in refugee or stateless situations cannot be repatriated.
Deportation: Occurs when the foreigner is already in national territory but has become irregular due to the expiration of their visa or the non-compliance with rules inherent to their visa type. After deportation, there are no impediments for the foreigner to re-enter the country, as long as they obtain a new visa.
Expulsion: This measure may be applied to foreigners convicted of intentional crimes, depending on the seriousness of the crime in question. After expulsion, they are prevented from entering the country again for a certain period.
Extradition: Despite being a form of compulsory removal of a person from the country, it differs from the other types, as it arises from cooperation agreements between countries. Individuals who have committed crimes in other countries may be requested by those countries to serve their sentences within their territory. Brazilian citizens cannot be extradited from Brazil under any circumstances.
Tips to Avoid Visa Problems
To ensure a trouble-free entry and stay in Brazil, we recommend that foreigners plan their trip in advance. This is essential to ensure immigration or tourism free of problems, both from a financial point of view and in terms of basic knowledge about Brazilian legislation, culture, and the bureaucratic processes necessary to comply with the law. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with an international lawyer beforehand to provide all the necessary information, assist in choosing the best type of visa, and guide through the application procedures. For personalized assistance and further inquiries, feel free to get in touch!
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