Brazil is one of the few South American countries to offer a digital nomad visa for foreign workers. Introduced in 2022, it allows remote workers to live in Brazil for up to 2 years.
In this post you can find details on the digital nomad visa’s eligibility criteria and application process, and learn more about work and study visas for Brazil.
Who Can Apply for the Brazilian Remote Worker Visa?
The digital nomad visa, officially known as VITEM XIV, allows self-employed professionals, freelancers, and remote employees to live in Brazil temporarily.
You can only apply if your remote work is for a company based outside of Brazil. It’s not possible to work for Brazilian companies with a digital nomad visa.
Eligibility and income requirements
To get the digital nomad visa, you must meet certain criteria set by the Brazilian Government, including:
- Proof of self-employed status, or remote work or freelance agreement with a non-Brazilian business
- Monthly income of at least US $1,500, or a bank statement showing at least US $18,000
- Clean criminal record from your home country, or any other country where you’ve lived in the past 5 years
Citizens of all countries can apply for the digital nomad visa if they meet these requirements.
How Long Can You Stay in Brazil With a Digital Nomad Visa?
With the digital nomad visa, you’ll be entitled to live in Brazil for up to 12 months. You then have the possibility of extending your stay for an additional 12 months.
During your time in Brazil, you’ll be able to travel in and out of the country freely, as long as your remote work visa is valid.
Once your digital nomad visa expires, you’ll need to leave Brazil, or apply for a permanent visa.
Digital Nomad Visa for Brazil: Where and How to Apply
You can make your remote work visa application before you travel to Brazil through a consulate or embassy.
Some embassies allow postal applications, while others require in-person appointments. Contact your closest Brazilian embassy for instructions on how to apply.
It’s also possible to apply from Brazil if you’re already there on another type of visa. You’ll need to visit an office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to process your application.
If you want to travel to Brazil before processing your remote work visa application, check the entry and visa requirements for your nationality.
Step-by-step application guide
To apply for Brazil’s remote work visa, you need to follow these steps:
- Complete the online application form
- Submit all required documents by mail, or in person, at a Brazilian consulate or embassy
- Pay the digital nomad visa fee as instructed by immigration officials
- Get your approved visa
Once you’ve arrived in Brazil, you’ll need to register at your local federal police station within 90 days.
Documents required for your application
To get your digital nomad visa, you’ll need to complete an application form, which can be found on the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
You’ll need to print a copy of your completed form, and provide some other documentation.
All digital nomad visa applicants need:
- Valid passport
- Completed visa application form
- Proof of self-employment, or freelance or remote work arrangement
- Proof of monthly income, or bank statement
- Health insurance that covers your planned stay in Brazil
- Criminal record check from your country of origin
- Passport-style photographs
- Proof of visa-fee payment
If your passport does not show the full names of both of your parents, you’ll also need to provide your birth certificate with apostille, and a sworn Portuguese translation.
Some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, do not issue an apostille with birth certificates. If this applies to your birth country, you’ll need to visit a Brazilian consulate to authenticate your documentation.
Processing times and costs
Brazilian immigration services process all digital nomad visa applications. It can take around 30 days for your application to be reviewed, but this depends on the embassy you’re applying through.
You may be asked for additional documents before you get a final decision on your application.
Depending on how you submitted your application, your approved visa will be delivered by post, or issued in person.
If you’re applying from Brazil, digital nomad visa fees are less than US $40. Embassy and consulate applications are usually charged at US $100, but this varies between different locations.
Other Types of Visas for Working and Living in Brazil
If you’re not eligible for the digital nomad visa, you may be able to apply for other types of visas that allow you to live and work in Brazil.
For short stays, you can apply for an eVisa to work remotely in Brazil for up to 90 days. Some nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 3 months. Check the requirements for your individual case before you travel.
Brazil also offers other types of temporary work and study visas for foreigners, including:
| Type of visa | Reason for travel to Brazil | Permitted length of stay |
|---|---|---|
| VITEM I - Research visa | Research, teaching, or professional academic opportunities | up to 1 year |
| VITEM II - Business visa | Paid short-term work | 90 days, with extension |
| VITEM II - Health care visa | To undergo medical treatment | 90 days |
| VITEM IV - Student visa | To study at a school or educational institution | duration of studies |
| VITEM V - Work visa | Paid work with a Brazilian company | 2 years |
| VITEM VI - Working holiday visa | Combined work and travel, for citizens of France and New Zealand only | up to 1 year |
| VITEM VII - Missionary visa | Religious or missionary activities | up to 2 years |
| VITEM VIII - Volunteering visa | Voluntary work | up to 1 year |
| VITEM IX - Investment visa | Investment opportunities | indefinite |
| VICAM - Temporary visa for foreign doctors | To undergo medical training | up to 4 years, with an extension available of 4 more years |
Each type of work and study visa for Brazil has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and requirements. If you’re considering applying for a work or study visa for Brazil, contact your nearest embassy or consulate to find out how to begin the process.
