Lei 13.445/2017 · Decreto 12.657/2025 · rules of 2026
Digital nomad, investor, retiree, employee, family, Mercosur — every route ends at the same residence card (CRNM). Answer five questions and we'll show you yours.
The map
Hover a card below and a little traveler sets off on that route toward the residence card. The wizard will do the choosing for you.
VITEM XIV · RN 45 · Dec. 12.657/2025
Work remotely, live in Brazil
Key requirements
Timeline
4–8 weeks at a consulate; 10–15 days via MigranteWeb in-country
Path to permanence
1 year + 1 renewal (max. 2 years), then switch to another category
VITEM IX · RN 11/13 & RN 36
Business or real estate capital
Key requirements
Timeline
2–4 months including company setup or property deed
Path to permanence
Residence with a direct track to permanent status; citizenship possible after 4 years
VIPER · Aposentado/Renda
Pension pays, Brazil hosts
Key requirements
Timeline
2–3 months at the consulate
Path to permanence
2-year residence, renewable, converting to permanent
VITEM V · Employer sponsorship
A Brazilian employer hires you
Key requirements
Timeline
2–4 months, driven by the employer's filing
Path to permanence
Residence for the contract term; permanent status after renewals
Reunião Familiar · Art. 37, Lei 13.445
Love is a legal basis
Key requirements
Timeline
Often the fastest route; weeks via the Federal Police in-country
Path to permanence
Immediate residence; spouses of Brazilians can naturalize after just 1 year
Acordo de Residência Mercosul
South American citizens' shortcut
Key requirements
Timeline
Weeks via the Federal Police — no consulate needed
Path to permanence
2-year temporary residence converting directly to permanent
Figures per 2026 consular practice. Always confirm with an OAB-registered lawyer before committing funds.
At a glance
| Pathway | Key threshold | Timeline | Path to permanence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad VITEM XIV · RN 45 · Dec. 12.657/2025 |
US$ 1,500/month foreign income or US$ 18,000 in savings | 4–8 weeks at a consulate; 10–15 days via MigranteWeb in-country | 1 year + 1 renewal (max. 2 years), then switch to another category |
| Investor VITEM IX · RN 11/13 & RN 36 |
R$ 500,000 into a Brazilian company — or R$ 150,000 for innovation/tech startups | 2–4 months including company setup or property deed | Residence with a direct track to permanent status; citizenship possible after 4 years |
| Retirement & Passive Income VIPER · Aposentado/Renda |
≈ US$ 2,000/month in pension or passive income | 2–3 months at the consulate | 2-year residence, renewable, converting to permanent |
| Employment VITEM V · Employer sponsorship |
Signed contract with a company registered in Brazil | 2–4 months, driven by the employer's filing | Residence for the contract term; permanent status after renewals |
| Family & Partnership Reunião Familiar · Art. 37, Lei 13.445 |
Marriage or stable union (união estável) with a Brazilian or resident | Often the fastest route; weeks via the Federal Police in-country | Immediate residence; spouses of Brazilians can naturalize after just 1 year |
| Mercosur Agreement Acordo de Residência Mercosul |
Citizenship of a Mercosur or associated state (AR, UY, PY, BO, CL, CO, EC, PE…) | Weeks via the Federal Police — no consulate needed | 2-year temporary residence converting directly to permanent |
Five questions
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Questions & answers
Six. Digital nomad, investor, retirement/passive income, employment, family reunification and the Mercosur agreement. All of them end at the same national residence card, the CRNM.
The CRNM (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório) is Brazil's national migrant residence card. Whichever visa route you take, the CRNM is the document you ultimately receive and renew.
Family reunification and the Mercosur agreement are usually the fastest and cheapest: both are handled in-country by the Federal Police in a matter of weeks, with no income or investment minimums.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements and figures change, so confirm your specific case with an OAB-registered (Brazilian-bar) immigration lawyer before committing money or filing.
Work remotely, live in Brazil. US$ 1,500/month foreign income or US$ 18,000 in savings; Remote contract with an employer or clients outside Brazil; Health insurance valid in Brazil + clean criminal record. Timeline: 4–8 weeks at a consulate; 10–15 days via MigranteWeb in-country. 1 year + 1 renewal (max. 2 years), then switch to another category.
Business or real estate capital. R$ 500,000 into a Brazilian company — or R$ 150,000 for innovation/tech startups; Real estate route: R$ 1,000,000 urban property (R$ 700,000 in North/Northeast); Funds wired from abroad via Central Bank channels; business plan for company route. Timeline: 2–4 months including company setup or property deed. Residence with a direct track to permanent status; citizenship possible after 4 years.
Pension pays, Brazil hosts. ≈ US$ 2,000/month in pension or passive income; ≈ +US$ 1,000/month per dependent; No minimum age — income is what counts. Timeline: 2–3 months at the consulate. 2-year residence, renewable, converting to permanent.
A Brazilian employer hires you. Signed contract with a company registered in Brazil; Employer files with the Ministry of Justice / Labor authorities; Qualifications matching the role (diploma or proven experience). Timeline: 2–4 months, driven by the employer's filing. Residence for the contract term; permanent status after renewals.
Love is a legal basis. Marriage or stable union (união estável) with a Brazilian or resident; Or: Brazilian child, parent, or dependent relationship; Proof of the bond — certificates, cohabitation, shared finances. Timeline: Often the fastest route; weeks via the Federal Police in-country. Immediate residence; spouses of Brazilians can naturalize after just 1 year.
South American citizens' shortcut. Citizenship of a Mercosur or associated state (AR, UY, PY, BO, CL, CO, EC, PE…); Valid passport + clean criminal record; No income or investment minimums. Timeline: Weeks via the Federal Police — no consulate needed. 2-year temporary residence converting directly to permanent.
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