Features
TYPE
LENGTH
FEE
MIN ANNUAL INCOME
LOCAL TAX
INTERNET
COST OF LIVING
LOW INCOME Digital Nomad Visa
BRAZIL Digital Nomad Visa VITEM XIV
Exiting destination with low entry requirements, arduous application process & unclear tax obligations.
Announced in January 2022, the new Brazil Digital Nomad Visa and permits allow remote workers to travel, work and enjoy bucket list places like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Proto Alegre, Recife or Florianópolis. Anyone outside Brazil can apply for the Temporary Visa VITEM XIV (aka Digital Nomad Visa) at their nearest Brazilian Consulate overseas. It is also possible to submit a Resident Permit application while in Brazil as a visitor. However, the process is longer, and the list of documents is broader.
PROS
- Very low Min Annual Salary Requirement
- Geo arbitrage due to the low Cost of living
- Exciting destination with incredible wildlife and unique culture
- Great food, beaches, nightlife, carnival, and rainforest
CONS
- The in-person only application process
- Lack of a single dedicated platform, scattered resources
- No clarity about Tax obligations for Nomads or their Foreign Employers
- Generally safe for travel with some issues depending on the destination
- Some problems with criminal justice & corruption
Specification: BRAZIL Digital Nomad Visa VITEM XIV
Taxes
Local Taxes
It’s currently unclear what the tax treatment of Digital Nomads who have been granted the Brazil Digital Nomad Visa or Residency Permit will be. We have reached out for comments to the government officials and will keep you updated.
However, we know that Foreign Nationals holding temporary visas, such as Digital Nomad Visa VITEM XIV, are considered non-tax residents during their first 183 days of actual physical presence in Brazil (consecutive or not) within a 12-months period. The only condition is that they can’t have been employed by a Brazilian entity, which for Remote Workers should not be an issue.
It is highly likely that after the initial 183 days, Digital Nomads, similarly to other Foreign Nationals holding temporary visas, will be considered Brazilian tax residents and need to pay local taxes.
Home Country Taxes
Holders of the Digital Nomad Visa are expected to pay taxes back home.
If you don’t have a tax residency back home anymore, you might fall into Brazilian tax residency even from day one, but this is still unclear. Please always check with local tax advisors before committing.
Requirements
To apply for the temporary visa VITEM XIV called Digital Nomad Visa, you need to show up in person at any Brazilian Consular office. Each Brazilian Consulate might has its own requirments but generally you will need to gather the following documents:
- Valid passport or other documents that prove your identity and nationality, signed by applicant, with at least two contiguous blank pages left;
- Birth Certificate or other official document showing parents’ full names;
- Health insurance valid in Brazil for the entirety of the applicant’s stay in Brazil;
- Proof of payment of consular fees;
- Proof of means of transport to Brazil;
- One passport photo;
- Criminal record certificate issued by the country of origin or, at the discretion of the consular authority and following the peculiarities of the country where the visa was requested, or an equivalent document;
- Applicants must have a minimum monthly income of USD 1,500 or an available bank balance of at least USD 18,000 at the time of the application. They must be able to through an employment or services agreement or similar documentation.
- Documents proving the status of digital nomad. This should include:
declaration by the applicant attesting to the ability to carry out their professional activities remotely, through information and communication technologies;
- employment or service agreement or similar documentation that proves income comes from sources outside of Brazil; and
proof of means of subsistence, from a foreign paying source, in a monthly amount equal to or greater than US$ 1,500.00 or availability of bank funds in the minimum amount of US$ 18,000.00.
- Completed visa application form.
If you are already in Brazil (on another visa), you need to apply for the Digital Nomad residence permit instead. However, the process is longer and the list of documents is broader and includes:
- Residency Authorization Request form, signed by you or your legal representative;
- Valid passport or other documents that proves your identity and nationality;
- Proof of residence, unless the information is already included in the document above;
- Power of attorney, when the applicant is represented by a proxy;
- Union Collection Guide – GRU Simples of the fee for processing and evaluating requests for residence permits with the respective proof of payment;
- Criminal record certificates or equivalent document issued by the competent judicial authority where you have resided in the last five years;
- Declaration, under the penalties of the law, of the absence of criminal record in any country, in the five years previous to the date of the request for a residence permit; and
- Documents proving the status of a digital nomad.
Most of these will need to be translated and certified. Please check the MigranteWeb System for details.
Apply
Process
1
Fill out online Application
2
Upload All the Documents to the E-Consular portal & submit it to get the Receipt.
3
Make an Appointment at nearest Consular, print out all the documents.
4
Consular will review your application, collect fee payment & provide confirmation or delivery. You will need to wait for the approval.
5
Arrive and Register your stay with the Federal Police Arrive
If you happen to be in Brazil already, you need to apply for a residence permit from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) through the MigranteWeb System.
It’s expected that the processing time will vary but should not take longer than about 3-4 weeks. It is, however, determined fully by each country’s Consular Authorities.
Anyone who applied for the visa at the Consulate had 90 days from when they entered Brazil to Register at the Federal Police and submit a copy of their visa application approval. If you applied for a residency permit in Brazil, you have 30 days from the permit’s approval date.
Fees
The fees for the Digital Nomad temporary visa are usually US$ 100. However, every Brazilian Consulate has its workflow, so the fees and payment methods can vary.
Different fees might apply if you are submitting your application for the Residency Permit from Brazil.
How
All the details of the program, including How to Apply are available on the government website:
Application Form E-Consular MigranteWeb SystemFacilities
Medical
You are not entitled to free health care but can use the local health care system and private providers if you pay for it out of your pocket or with insurance. When you apply for the visa, you need to have health or travel insurance so you will be covered by that.
Schools
Children of the visa holders can attend the local private school for the duration of the visa or public ones, but they will have to cover the fees.
Traveling
There a no time restrictions while traveling in and out of Brazil, the Digital Nomad Visa, allows multiple entries into the country.
Brazil is an amazing travel destination and a vibrant, lively country. But it’s not without its risks. Travelers here will need to keep their wits about them and watch out for pickpockets and bag snatching. Tourists usually do not encounter more serious issues, but you should practice precautions, especially on the streets of major cities or after dark, and safeguard your belongings.
Community
There are plenty of co-working spaces and many options for accommodation and some community living spaces. The digital nomad community is well established, and there are a lot of opportunities for Nomads to connect, attend events, organize outdoor activities, and find ways in which they can give back to the local community.
Assistance
There is no dedicated website or contact for the Digital Nomad visas and permits, but you can reach out to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can also check the official note in the government bulletin for details.
Various Brazilian Consulates provide some additional info, specific to the application process of each of the Consulates. Your best bet would be to reach out to your nearest Consulate.
Web: List of Consulates
Email: Immigration Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Country Info
Internet
The average internet speeds in a country are around 34 Mbps, and the internet penetration is at about 75%, so the internet can be hit or miss depending on where you are in the country.
We have to remember, though, that Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world, so yes, there are places where you can’t get internet, and there will be places with high-speed fiber internet. Just make sure that you check before you arrive at your destination.
Cost of Living
Brazil is one of the most affordable places on our list! If you are hoping to benefit from geo arbitrage, Brazil is one of the best places to do it. The average cost of living is much cheaper than in the US, the UK, or other Western European countries.
Brazil is also a haven for coffee-lovers since it has been the world’s largest exporter of coffee for more than 150 years. According to our ☕ Cappuccino Index, which uses Numbeo’s average price for a regular cappuccino, the average USD price in Brazil is $1.56, which is way below the US avg of $4.30, and the UK avg price is $3.83.
FAQs
What is the difference between a Digital Nomad Visa and Residency Permit?
There are a lot of differences between them starting from the process, a number of required documents, fees, etc.
The main thing you need to decide on is if you will be applying from outside of Brazil or from inside? If you are not in Brazil yet, you need to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa at one of the Consulates, if you are already there, you need to get a residency permit.
One thing to remember is that the list of the documents required to apply for the visa is a bit shorter than for the permit and you won’t need to translate any of them. The process is also somewhat more straightforward and easier with a visa rather than a permit.
If you can choose, we recommend getting the visa over the permit.
Videos
Source: Scenic RelaxationDisclaimer: Our aim is to provide an overview of Digital Nomad Visas & Taxes that should not be considered as a legal opinion or tax advice. You should always seek expert advice. If you want to receive a legal opinion or tax advice please contact us and we will refer you to a legal practitioner.
Learn about the data sources & how is the score calculated. Last updated November 20, 2022.
