Moving to Brazil 2026: A Guide for Americans
Moving to Brazil as an American starts with a visa, because Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a visa requirement for US citizens even for a visit. Living there takes a residence authorisation from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security on one of the grounds the Migration Law allows, such as work, investment or research, followed by a temporary visa and registration with the Federal Police. This guide sets out the visit visa, the residence grounds, the steps and the deadlines, as published by Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice and read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
US citizens need a visa to visit Brazil, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa table updated on 7 October 2026. A visit visa covers stays of up to 90 days with no paid activity in Brazil. To live there, you need a residence authorisation on a ground such as work, investment or research, a temporary visa from a Brazilian consulate, and Federal Police registration within 90 days of entry, which gives you an RNM number and a CRNM card. Brazilian visas are never issued inside Brazil.
Visiting first: the visit visa
- Who needs it: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' general visa table shows a visit visa requirement for ordinary passports from the United States and Canada.
- What it covers: stays of up to 90 days without immigration purposes or paid activity in Brazil, for example tourism, business, transit, study, volunteer work, or conferences and meetings.
- Reciprocity: Brazil grants visa waivers only on a reciprocal basis under bilateral understandings, and has such agreements with about 90 countries.
- Where to apply: at Brazilian embassies and consulates abroad. Visas are never granted in Brazil, so not at airports, ports or land borders.
- What every application needs: the completed visa application form, a valid travel document, proof of payment of consular fees, an International Certificate of Immunization when necessary, and the specific documents for the visa type.
Grounds for living in Brazil
The Migration Law, Law No. 13.445 of 2017, and Decree No. 9.199 of 2017 govern residence. The Ministry of Justice grants a residence authorisation to an immigrant who intends to work, or to live and settle temporarily or permanently in Brazil, if the special requirements are met. Requests on the following grounds go to its General Coordination of Labour Immigration through the MigranteWeb system:
- Research, teaching or academic extension.
- Work or a job offer.
- Investment.
- An activity of economic, social, scientific, technological or cultural relevance.
- Religious activity.
- Voluntary service.
Each ground is regulated by a Normative Resolution of the National Immigration Council, which lists its documents. The job route is set out in our Brazil work visa guide.
How the residence process works
| Where you are | What you apply for | What happens after approval |
|---|---|---|
| Abroad | A prior residence authorisation, filed by the institution or by you | The decision is published in the Official Gazette (DOU) and sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and you obtain the temporary visa at the consulate |
| In Brazil | Residence, filed by the company or institution, or by you | The decision is published in the DOU and you go to the Federal Police for registration |
- Documents: the basic documents of Normative Resolution No. 01/2017, the request form, the documents of the specific resolution, and the federal payment slip (GRU) with proof of payment, uploaded to MigranteWeb as PDFs of up to 10 MB.
- Timing at the consulate: the Embassy of Brazil in Helsinki states that a prior residence authorisation is valid for 6 months from the decision, and must be used to apply for the visa within that time.
- If refused: a reconsideration request is analysed in up to 30 days.
After you arrive
- Register with the Federal Police: temporary visa holders must register within 90 days of first entry, according to the Embassy in Helsinki.
- What registration is: a civil identification using biographical and biometric data, which gives you a National Migration Registry number (RNM) and the National Migration Registry Card (CRNM).
- Extending or changing status in Brazil: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directs foreigners already in Brazil who want to extend their stay or obtain residence to the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Police.
Costs
Consular fees depend on the consulate and the nationality. The Embassy of Brazil in San José, for example, lists US$290 for a work visa on a US passport. For a full move budget, see our cost of moving to Brazil, and for the tasks after landing, first steps after moving to Brazil.
Frequently asked questions
Can a US citizen move to Brazil?
Yes, with a residence authorisation on a ground the Migration Law allows, such as work, investment or research, a temporary visa from a Brazilian consulate, and Federal Police registration after arrival.
Do Americans need a visa to visit Brazil?
Yes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' general visa table, updated on 7 October 2026, shows a visit visa requirement for US ordinary passports.
How long can I stay in Brazil on a visit visa?
Up to 90 days, without immigration purposes and without paid activity in Brazil.
Can I get a Brazilian visa at the airport?
No. Brazilian visas are never granted on Brazilian territory, including airports, ports and land borders.
How do I get residency in Brazil?
An institution or you request a residence authorisation from the Ministry of Justice through MigranteWeb. If approved from abroad, you obtain a temporary visa at the consulate; if you are in Brazil, you go straight to the Federal Police.
What is the CRNM?
The National Migration Registry Card, issued after you register with the Federal Police, together with your RNM number.
When must I register after arriving?
Within 90 days of first entry, for temporary visa holders.
Official sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visas for foreigners travelling to Brazil
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Entry visas to Brazil, general table (PDF)
- Ministry of Justice and Public Security — Labour residence authorisation (Portuguese)
- Ministry of Justice and Public Security — Labour immigration FAQ (Portuguese)
- Embassy of Brazil in Helsinki — Temporary work visa (VITEM V)
All visa rules, steps and deadlines verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.