Brazil's Digital Nomad Visa
🇧🇷 Your Ticket to Paradise
The Ultimate Guide to Brazil's Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)
Olá! Is the call of samba, sun-kissed beaches, and vibrant culture beckoning you? Brazil, one of the first countries in South America to officially embrace the remote work revolution, offers a fantastic visa option for digital nomads.
The Brazilian Digital Nomad Visa (formally Temporary Visa Type XIV - VITEM XIV) allows you to legally live and work remotely in this beautiful country. Here is your comprehensive guide to the requirements, the application process, and all the essential links to get you started on your Brazilian adventure!
What is the Brazilian Digital Nomad Visa?
The VITEM XIV is a temporary residency visa established under Normative Resolution No. 45/2021. It is specifically designed for foreign nationals who can perform their professional activities remotely, using information and communication technology, for an employer or client outside of Brazil.
Initial Validity: 1 year.
Renewal: Can be renewed for an additional 1 year, for a total stay of up to 2 years.
Key Restriction: You cannot work for or provide services to any company or employer within Brazil.
Who is Eligible? (The Requirements)
To qualify for the Brazilian Digital Nomad Visa, you must meet the following criteria:
Remote Work Proof
You must demonstrate that you are a true digital nomad by providing:
A formal contract (employment or service contract) with a foreign company or client outside of Brazil.
A signed Personal Declaration confirming your ability to perform your professional activities remotely using information and communication technologies (i.e., you are independent of location).
Financial Stability
You must prove you have the financial means to support yourself, which can be done in one of two ways:
Monthly Income: Show proof of a regular, foreign-source monthly income of at least US$1,500.00 (USD) for the past three months.
OR
Savings: Show immediate availability of bank funds in the minimum amount of US$18,000.00 (USD).
Note: If you are including dependents (spouse, children, etc.), the minimum income requirement may increase.
Health & Background
Health Insurance: Proof of international or private health insurance coverage valid in Brazil for the entire period of your stay.
Clean Criminal Record: A certified criminal background check from your country of residence (and any other country you've resided in for the past five years).
The Application Procedure: Step-by-Step
You have two main paths to apply for the VITEM XIV, depending on your current location:
Option A: Applying from Outside Brazil (Recommended)
This process is handled by a Brazilian Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence.
Gather Documents: Collect all the required documents listed in the next section.
Apostille and Translation: Ensure your key official documents (like the criminal record certificate, birth/marriage certificates, etc.) are Apostilled (if your country is a member of the Hague Convention) or legally authenticated by the consulate. Documents must often be translated into Portuguese by a sworn translator.
Complete the Online Form: Access the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) online application system to fill out the visa request form and upload your documents.
Print Receipt (RER): After submitting the online application, you will receive a Visa Request Form Receipt (RER). Print and sign this.
Submit/Appointment: Contact the Brazilian Consulate in your jurisdiction to find out their exact submission procedure. This may involve mailing in your physical documents or booking an in-person appointment.
Pay Fees: Pay the consular processing fee (fees vary by nationality and consulate).
Wait for Visa: Once approved, the consulate will place the visa stamp (VITEM XIV) in your passport.
Option B: Applying from Inside Brazil (Residency Permit)
If you are already in Brazil (e.g., on a tourist visa), you can apply for the Residency Permit directly with the Federal Police (Polícia Federal).
Use MigranteWeb: Apply through the Brazilian government's online immigration system.
Link: MigranteWeb System (Note: This is an internal system and often requires navigation in Portuguese.)
Gather & Translate Documents: Prepare all the required documents. In-country applications often require sworn translation into Portuguese by a Brazilian translator.
Pay Processing Fees (GRU): Pay the required processing fees (Guia de Recolhimento da União - GRU).
Federal Police Appointment: Once your application is reviewed and potentially approved, you will be required to schedule an appointment with the Federal Police to submit original documents and register.
CRNM Card: Upon final approval, you will receive your National Migration Registration Card (CRNM), which serves as your Brazilian ID and proof of residence.
Essential Document Checklist
This list combines the requirements from the official resolution. Always check the specific website of the Consulate or Federal Police office where you are applying, as requirements can vary slightly.
DocumentDescription & Requirement1. Visa Application FormThe RER (Receipt) printed and signed after completing the online form.2. Valid PassportMust be valid for your entire intended stay, with at least two blank pages.3. Passport PhotoRecent, passport-size photo (usually 2"x2") with a white or off-white background.4. Criminal Record CertificateIssued by your country of residence (and any you lived in for the past 5 years), issued within the last 3-6 months. Must be Apostilled.5. Proof of Remote WorkEmployment/service contract with a non-Brazilian entity, signed and dated.6. Remote Work DeclarationA signed self-declaration stating your ability to perform work remotely using IT.7. Proof of FundsBank statements, payslips, or other documents demonstrating the minimum required income (US$1,500/mo) OR savings (US$18,000).8. Health InsuranceCertificate of health insurance coverage valid in Brazil for the entire stay.9. Consular Fee PaymentProof of payment for the application fee.10. Birth CertificateRequired by some Consulates to confirm parent's names (needed for police registration). Must be Apostilled.
Official Government & Useful Links
While the Brazilian government does not have one central "Digital Nomad Visa" page, the following are the core institutional sites:
LinkPurposeNotesMinistério das Relações Exteriores (MRE) - Visa Application FormOnline application for VITEM XIV (Visa from outside Brazil).Start here for consular applications.Portal de Imigração (Ministry of Justice)Contains official resolutions and general immigration guidance.Look for Normative Resolution No. 45/2021.Polícia Federal - MigranteWebOnline system for applying for a Residence Permit (from inside Brazil).The platform for in-country applications.Brazilian Consulates Abroad DirectoryFind the specific requirements and contact details for the Consulate in your jurisdiction.Crucial—Consulate procedures can differ.
Disclaimer: Visa laws and regulations are subject to change by the Brazilian government. This information is for general guidance only. Always consult the official website of the specific Brazilian Consulate or the Federal Police office where you intend to apply or an immigration lawyer for the most current and authoritative instructions.
