Brazil: Immigration Pathways for Citizens of Portuguese-Speaking Countries Forthcoming
September 7, 2023
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At a Glance
- Brazil has introduced two immigration pathways for eligible citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to live and work in Brazil for up to two years.
- The first pathway is a consular-issued Temporary Visa available to foreign nationals of certain professions or who will conduct certain activities in Brazil. The second is an in-country Residence Authorization available to any national of CPLP countries who is in Brazil.
- Both immigration pathways will open on October 2, 2023.
The situation
Starting October 2, 2023, Brazil will make available two immigration pathways for eligible citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP - Angola, Cape Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe) to live and work in Brazil.
A closer look
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Pathway |
Application process and requirements |
Validity period |
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Temporary Visa. Available to professors of higher education or other institutions; researchers at recognized specialist centers; highly skilled technicians; businesspeople (defined as those professionally engaged in an organized economic activity); cultural agents (artists, athletes, media representatives, writers, musicians, promoters, and organizers of cultural and sporting events); and students in recognized exchange programs. |
Individuals will be able to apply for this visa at a Brazilian consular post and generally will require a criminal clearance certificate from their country(ies) of residence in the last five years; proof of qualifications or activity depending on the visa subcategory; and proof of economic means, among other documents. |
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Residence Authorization. Available to nationals of CPLP countries who are already in Brazil, regardless of their immigration status or activities in Brazil. |
Individuals will be able to apply for this residence authorization at the Federal Police in Brazil and generally will require a criminal clearance certificate from their country of origin or countries of residence in the last five years; birth or marriage certificates; a declaration of no criminal record; and a declaration of residential address in Brazil, among other documents. |
Impact
These new residence options provide a nationality-based immigration pathway for eligible citizens of the CPLP which was not previously available.
Background
- Low migration. For several years, Brazil has been experiencing an immigration deficit, with an estimated 4.5 million Brazilians living abroad compared to 1 million foreign nationals residing in Brazil (with Portugal one of the principal destinations for Brazilians, with a 100% increase in visa applications by Brazilians in the last year).
- Integration. These measures are a result of discussions within the Brazilian government that had been ongoing since before the approval of the 2017 immigration law in Brazil, to encourage immigration from other Portuguese-speaking countries; and recent agreements signed between CPLP members in 2021 to foster the exchange and integration between the countries.
Looking ahead
During the initial implementation period, foreign nationals should expect delays with application processing, and discretionary application of requirements. Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional for case-specific advice.
Other reforms may be forthcoming as Brazil seeks to attract immigrants to the country and increase local economic activity. For example, the National Immigration Council and Public Security has approved the creation of a specialized council to study a proposal that would facilitate visas and residence permits for foreign nationals seeking to invest in Brazil's green economy sectors. Fragomen will report on relevant developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]. Fragomen in Brazil is Fragomen Brasil Serviços de Imigração Ltda., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in Brazil.
