How US Citizens Can Move to Brazil in 2026

Updated June 2026 | By Lais Goncalves, Immigration Attorney

U.S. citizens can move to Brazil in 2026 through several immigration pathways, including the Digital Nomad Visa, Investor Visa, Retirement Visa, and Family Reunion residency. Brazil has become one of the most accessible countries for Americans seeking a new lifestyle abroad, offering relatively straightforward routes to legal residence and, eventually, citizenship. However, important immigration changes introduced since 2025 mean that prospective applicants should understand the current visa and residency requirements before making plans.

This guide walks through everything a US citizen needs to know: entry requirements, the main visa categories, how to get from temporary resident to permanent resident, and what the path to Brazilian citizenship looks like.

 

First: The eVisa Requirement Americans Didn’t Expect

If you last researched moving to Brazil a few years ago, here’s the most important update: Americans can no longer enter Brazil visa-free.

As of April 10, 2025, US, Canadian, and Australian citizens must obtain an eVisa before traveling to Brazil — including for tourism. This change came under Brazil’s reciprocity system and ended decades of visa-free access. The eVisa costs $80.90, is processed entirely online through the VFS system, and is valid for short stays.

This doesn’t affect your ability to move to Brazil long-term, but it does mean the days of “fly down and figure it out” are over. Any stay beyond 90 days requires a proper long-stay visa, applied for in advance.

 

The Main Visa Pathways for Americans

Brazil’s immigration system organizes long-stay visas under the VITEM umbrella — fourteen subcategories covering everything from work to retirement to investment. Here are the most relevant ones for US citizens looking to relocate.

 

1. Digital Nomad Visa

This is the most popular option right now, and for good reason. Brazil’s remote work visa has one of the lowest minimum income requirements in the world for this type of visa: just $1,500/month in verifiable remote income or $18,000 in savings. It grants a one-year temporary residence, renewable for multiple times. This visa can not be transforment into a permanent visa.

Recent updates made it even more fast. As of early 2026, the processing time has dropped to 15–30 days, and the country’s growing digital nomad infrastructure makes settling in easier than ever.

To qualify, you need to show proof of income from a source outside Brazil — a foreign employer, freelance clients, or a remote business. Required documentation typically includes bank statements showing consistent deposits and, if employed, pay-stubs and an employment contract or service provision aggrements with foreigner clients. You cannot be earning income from Brazilian companies under this visa.

This path is ideal for: remote workers, freelancers, consultants, and anyone whose job travels with them.

 

2. Investor Visa

Foreign nationals can obtain residency in the country via two different routes of invesment: purchasing real estate or making a qualifying business investment . Often referred to as Brazil  Golden Visa or Brazilian Golden Visa or the Brazil VIPER Visa, the program offers a pathway to long-term residency and eventual Brazilian citizenship.

The real estate investment is ideal for those seeking a more streamlined, property-based option with fewer ongoing obligations. The business investment pathway targets investors and entrepreneurs looking to establish or capitalize a Brazilian company. Both routes provide full residency rights, family inclusion, and access to Brazil’s public services, with the real estate option typically being the more passive and lifestyle-oriented choice.

2.1 Business investment

Investment minimums are now tiered by sector. Related to business:

• Innovation or technology startups: approximately BRL 150,000 (~$29,500 USD)
• General business investment: BRL 500,000 (~$100,000 USD)

Approved investors receive an upfront permanent card, with 3 years condition to complete the Business Plan that should inform the employment hiring plan, and financial division for the proposed time invesment. The condition can be removed after that.

Related to

2.2 Real estate investment

Real Estate investment:

• Urban real estate: BRL 1,000,000 (~$200,000 USD)
• North or Northeast development regions: BRL 700,000 (approx. USD $150,000)

Benefits of the Real Estate Investor Visa:

• Residency Flexibility: You can live anywhere in Brazil, enjoying the Brazil permanent resident card benefits, with a minimum stay requirement of 14 days every two years. Also, you can work in the country.
• Rental Income: Rent out your property for additional income generation.
• Family Reunion Visa: Available for direct dependents.

Important: Work and investment visas (VITEM V and VITEM IX) require Ministry of Justice authorization before you can even apply at a Brazilian consulate. This two-stage process typically adds 2–4 months to the timeline and requires comprehensive documentation including proof of funds, a criminal background check, and detailed business plans. Plan accordingly.

This path is ideal for: entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone who wants to build a business or acquire real estate in Brazil.

Read more information here: Real Estate Investment in Brazil: Your Pathway to Residency – Visa Brazil Services

3. Retirement Visa

Despite the name, the Brazil Retirement visa has no minimum age requirement. What it requires is proof of stable passive income from outside Brazil — pensions, Social Security, dividends, or rental income, plus a letter from a bank confirming that you are able to make monthly transfers to Brazil.

The current minimum threshold is approximately USD$2,000/month. If you don’t complete this amount, you can supplement pension or retirement income with other sources of income, for example savings or rental income.

Applicants must provide bank statements, proof of income sources, and may need to show rental agreements or pension documentation.

If you can’t present an official retirement letter (or if are not retired), but you are living purely by investment-based income or private retirement plan, that may be accepted as an exception, but it is not sufficient as a standalone source.

It is two years temporary visa, then you can apply for a permanent visa.

The application can be made at the Brazilian consulate, or in Brazil.

The in-country application does not require the health insurance requirement, which saves money and paperwork. Processing takes around 30-45 days, and the initial residence grant is typically 1 year (compared to 2 years via consulate). After approval, you must register with the Federal Police within 30 days. 90 days (if consular application).

This path is ideal for: retirees, early retirees, or anyone living off passive income from outside Brazil. Read more here

 

4. Family Reunion Visa

If you have a Brazilian spouse, parent, or child, the Family Reunion Visa is the fastest and most direct path to permanent residency in Brazil. You’ll need official documents — marriage certificates or birth certificates — properly legalized and translated into Portuguese.

This path is ideal for: Americans with Brazilian family ties.

 

5. Work Visa

We have several options for work permit. If you have a job offer from a Brazilian company, the standard work visa applies.

Like the Brazil investor visa, it requires Ministry of Justice authorization before consulate application — adding significant lead time. Your employer typically handles much of this process through visa sponsorship, providing the necessary employment contract and supporting documentation.

You can read the complente information here: Brazilian Work Visas: What you need to know

 

From Temporary to Permanent Resident

Most visa categories grant temporary residency first. Here’s the general progression:

Temporary residence is granted for the duration of your visa type (1–2 years, typically renewable). During this period, you’ll need to register with the Federal Police within 90 days of arrival to receive your CRNM (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório) — your Brazilian resident ID card.

Permanent residence becomes available after completing the two years of continuous legal residency in most categories. The permanent residence permit is valid for nine years. One important rule: if you leave Brazil for more than two consecutive years, your permanent residency lapses.

A practical note on setup: Before or shortly after arriving, you’ll need a CPF (Brazil’s tax identification number). You can often begin this process at a Brazilian consulate before arrival. You’ll also need to open a local bank account — digital banks like Nubank or Inter are commonly used by expats while waiting for the physical CRNM card. Many expats also secure private health insurance and, for families with children, research international schools during this initial setup phase.

Read more here

The Path to Brazilian Citizenship

This is where Brazil becomes genuinely compelling for Americans: dual citizenship is fully permitted, and the naturalization path is more achievable than many countries.

To become a Brazilian citizen, you must meet these legal requirements:

• Have lived in Brazil for at least four years as a legal permanent resident. This time can be reduced to one year for some cases.
• Demonstrate basic Portuguese proficiency (typically via a language test)
• Have a clean criminal record in Brazil and internationally, verified through a criminal background check
• Show financial self-sufficiency
• Physical presence in the country (absences are permited, but limited)

There are meaningful shortcuts. If you have a Brazilian spouse or child, the residency requirements drop to just one year. Marriage or parenthood can dramatically accelerate the timeline.

Once naturalized, you hold a Brazilian passport — which opens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a significant number of countries, and through the Mercosur Residence Agreement, the right to live and work in nine additional South American nations: Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, and Bolivia. You’ll also gain access to the CPLP-Based Temporary Residence Permit. Read more here

 

What the 2025–2026 Immigration Changes Mean for Foreigners Moving to Brazil

Brazil’s immigration system has seen important updates that affect foreign investors, digital nomads, retirees, and business travelers.

In October 2025, Decree No. 12.657/2025 introduced Brazil’s first National Migration Policy, modernizing immigration procedures and providing greater clarity for visa and residence applications.

Another significant change benefits international companies and foreign professionals. Certain technical assistance, installation, maintenance, and technology transfer activities can now be performed under visitor status for up to 90 days, provided no salary is paid by a Brazilian source.

The government has also continued expanding digital immigration processes, making visa and residence applications more efficient and accessible.

March 2026 (Decree 12,864) introduced reciprocity clauses that could affect visa-free access for EU citizens — not directly relevant for Americans, but a sign of how quickly the framework can shift.

For anyone planning to relocate, invest, retire, work remotely, or obtain a Brazilian visa, staying informed about these immigration law changes is essential to ensure compliance and avoid delays.

Need more information, read the normative resolutions online.

 

Common Mistakes Americans Make When Moving to Brazil

Assuming the process is informal. Brazilian immigration is bureaucratic.

Documents need to be authenticated (apostilled), officially translated into Portuguese, and submitted through the right channels in the right order. Submitting anything out of sequence can restart your application.

Waiting until arrival to start. Most visa categories require consulate application from the US before you travel. The investor and work visas add a Ministry of Justice pre-authorization step that can take several months.

Underestimating the CPF process. Your CPF number is required for almost everything in Brazil — bank accounts, utilities, phone plans, property purchases. Getting this sorted early saves significant frustration.

Ignoring tax residency implications. When you become a Brazilian permanent resident, you generally assume Brazilian tax residency and must report your worldwide income to Brazil’s Receita Federal.

 

Do You Need a Brazil Immigration Lawyer?

Many people wonder if they need a lawyer to apply for a Brazilian visa or residency.

Some applicants start the process alone but encounter challenges with Brazilian immigration laws, procedures, and documentation requirements.

If you are applying for a Digital Nomad Visa for Brazil, you may be able to complete the application independently.

For complex cases, including a Brazil Investor Visa, Brazil Work Visa, Permanent Residency, Family-Based Residency, or Brazilian Citizenship, a Brazil immigration lawyer can help avoid mistakes and delays.

Brazil’s immigration system involves multiple agencies, document requirements, apostilles, sworn translations, and regulatory compliance.

Even small mistakes can result in delays, application refusals, fines, or deportation orders.

Whether you plan to move to Brazil, retire, work remotely, invest, start a business, or obtain residency, the right strategy saves time and money.

A consultation helps identify the best visa or residency pathway based on your goals, finances, and family situation.

Read more information about Immigration here: Portal de Imigração – Página inicial

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws change frequently; always verify current requirements with official Brazilian government sources or a licensed immigration attorney.

Lais Goncalves is an immigration attorney specializing in Brazilian immigration for US and international clients.