Brazil’s Retirement Visa (VITEM XIV) is a visa initiative for foreign retirees who want to live in Brazil. To apply, you must have a stable retirement income to support yourself in Brazil. The income requirement is around USD 2,000 per month.
Brazil’s immigration department, the Federal Police (Polícia Federal), also requires a clean criminal record and health insurance in Brazil if applying through an embassy or consulate overseas (applicants in Brazil are not required to buy health insurance). The Retirement Visa is valid for up to two years and can be renewed until eligible for permanent residency or citizenship.
Ten Reasons Why You Should Retire in Brazil
- Low cost of living: The cost of living in Brazil is lower than in the US and many other large economies, allowing retirees to live comfortably on a moderate retirement income.
- Friendly culture: Brazilian people are warm and love life and enjoy celebrations, from Rio Carnival to Festa Junina, making foreign retirees feel welcome.
- Pleasant climate: Brazil offers numerous climates, from year-round warm weather in João Pessoa and unlimited sun in Salvador to the mild temperatures of Belo Horizonte and year-round spring-like weather of Curitiba.
- Premium healthcare: Though Brazil’s public healthcare system faces some challenges, high-quality private healthcare services are abundant in cities like São Paulo.
- Outdoor activities: Brazil has plenty of outdoor activities for senior citizens, such as hiking, birdwatching, river cruises, and golf destinations.
- Retirement visas: The Brazilian Retirement Visa is designed specifically for retired persons and pensioners, allowing them to live in the country permanently.
- Brazilian cuisine: Brazilian food offerings are diverse and delicious, with plenty of fresh fruits and seafood. It’s also affordable.
- Affordable homes: Brazil real estate prices are lower than in the USA. Retirees can buy an oceanview condo or countryside villa for cheap compared to other countries.
- Family inclusion: Retirees can include two dependent in their application without additional income requirements.
- Path to permanent residency: The VITEM XIV (Retirement Visa) allows holders to renew their visas and apply for VIPER (Permanent Residency) in Brazil.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be at least 65 for men and 60 for women
- Hold a clean criminal background
- Obtain health insurance coverage
- Earn a monthly pension or retirement income of at least USD 2,000
Required Documents
Required documents may vary depending on:
- Your personal profile
- Country where you filed the application
Consulates have the discretion to evaluate applicants, and their evaluation procedures are generally stricter than Brazilian immigration officers handling the applications of retirees applying inside Brazil.
Documents required (when applying in Brazil):
This is a general list. The primary and supporting documents required may vary according to the applicant:
- Completed application form
- Bank statements proving monthly retirement income of at least USD 2,000
- One passport-sized photograph
- Passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages
- Criminal record certificate
- Birth certificate
- Health insurance
- Proof of income
- CPF (Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry)
- Proof of ability to transfer funds to Brazil
Retirees applying overseas require additional documentation, including health insurance.
A licensed Brazilian authority must authenticate all non-Brazilian documents. Non-Portuguese documents must be accompanied by a SWORN translation.
Retirement Visa Cost
The fee to obtain a Brazil Retirement Visa is $150. Other fees and charges depend on your country of citizenship and any other services you use.
Brazil VIPER Permanent Residency
Brazil Retirement Visa Application Process
1. Gather the required documents:
- Valid passport
- Proof of income (pension or investments)
- Police record certificate
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Health insurance
2. Submit application to a Brazilian Embassy/Consulate:
- Complete the online retirement visa application form
- Pay the required visa processing fee.
- Submit the application in person or via mail, depending on the consulate’s policy
3. Await approval:
- A Brazil consular officer reviews the application
- Submit supporting documents if requested
4. Travel to Brazil
- After receiving a visa stamp, you can travel to Brazil
- Apply for Brazil Retirement Residency with the Federal Police within the time allowed on your visa
5. Register for residency:
- Obtain a Registro Nacional Migratório (RNM) card (Brazil foreign resident card) and become a Brazilian resident.
Brazil Retirement Visa Cost
The fee to retire in Brazil through the Brazil Retirement Visa is $150. Other fees and charges depend on your country of citizenship and any other services you use.
Advantages of Brazil Retirement Residency Over a Retirement Visa
- Faster processing: Applying for residency in Brazil eliminates the need to apply for a visa before applying for residency.
- Resource access: A physical presence allows applicants to access experienced immigration lawyers and Policia Federal.
- Fewer requirements: Applicants in Brazil are not required to obtain health insurance.
- Immediate integration: Foreigners in Brazil are already acclimatized to Brazilian life, making it easier to adjust after being granted a Brazil Retirement Visa and residency.
- Transparent Results: Consulates may deny visa applications for many subjective factors. In Brazil, the conditions for the Brazil Retirement Residency are clearer, and the process is more transparent.
Your trust, our priority
Have confidence in obtaining your Brazil Retirement Visa with Brazil Visa Solutions. Drawing on the extensive experience of our highly qualified Brazil immigration lawyers, we offer expert guidance to help you successfully retire in Brazil
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Frequently Asked Questions about Brazil's Retirement Visa
How to get a retirement visa for Brazil?
You can get a visa for retirement in Brazil if you’re over 65 as a man or 60 as a woman, you earn a retirement income of at least USD 2,000 every month, and you have a clean criminal record.
How long does a Retirement Visa allow me to stay in Brazil?
The Brazilian Retirement Visa validity is two years initially, with the option to renew.
Can I retire in Brazil from the UK?
Brazil welcomes all Europeans to retire in the country through the Retirement VIPER visa, including British citizens.
Can I work in Brazil as a Retirement Visa holder?
Brazil Retirement Visa holders are not allowed to work in Brazil. However, you can do unpaid work like teaching English or music lessons.
Can I bring my spouse or dependents with me on a Retirement Visa?
A spouse and dependent family members are not eligible for a retirement visa, but they can apply for temporary residency through family reunification.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to apply for a Retirement Visa?
Brazil’s Retirement Visa does not require Portuguese proficiency to be eligible.
What are the drawbacks of obtaining a Brazil Retirement Visa?
While a Brazil residence permit for retirees is advantageous, small cities have limited healthcare services, local bureaucracy can be frustrating, and criminal activities such as armed robbery are a concern, particularly in large cities.
Can I travel outside of Brazil while holding a Retirement Visa?
Brazilian Retirement Visa holders are free to travel abroad and maintain their visas.
What is the Brazil Retirement Visa age?
Brazil’s required age to apply for a retirement visa is 65 for male applicants and 60 for female applicants.
Can I apply for Brazil permanent residency after my Retirement Visa expires?
Brazil’s Retirement Visa is valid for two years, after which visa holders can apply for permanent residency.
Can I rent or buy Brazil real estate with a Retirement Visa?
An RNE (foreign residents card) and CPF (tax ID) that come with a Retirement Visa allow holders to easily buy or rent real estate in Brazil.
Can I bring my dog with me to Brazil with a Retirement Visa?
Visa Retirement holders can bring their dogs and other pets with them to Brazil, provided they comply with Brazil’s pet import requirements.
Do I need to register in Brazil after arriving with my Retirement Visa?
All Brazil Retirement Visa holders must register with the Federal Police to formalize their Brazilian Residency Permit and obtain a Registro Nacional Migratório (RNM) card. This must be done within the visa’s validity period, which is typcially 90 days.
Where can I find the legislation for the Brazil Retirement Visa?
Normative Resolution No. 40/2019 (Resolução Normativa nº de 02 de Outubro de 2019) specifies the legal basis of the Retirement Visa.
Will I be entitled to healthcare in Brazil with a Retirement Visa?
Brazil operates a public healthcare system called SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), providing free healthcare to all residents. However, the Retirement Visa criteria for Brazil require applicants to have a private healthcare policy to be eligible.
Can I get Brazilian citizenship with a Retirement Visa?
Retirement Visa holders in Brazil are eligible for Brazil citizenship after four years of residency.
What is Brazil's Retirement Visa timeline?
The processing time to get a Retirement Visa in Brazil is generally within two weeks, but can take longer than a month if consular officers require further due diligence checks.
Can I volunteer or do charitable work with a Retirement Visa?
Retirement Visa holders in Brazil can carry out voluntary or charitable work, provided they’re not paid.
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