Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV): All You Need To Know

The Brazilian National Immigration Council has made a step forward, making Brazil join the ranks of other countries that grant a temporary visa for the so-called digital nomads. The digital nomad visa has become increasingly popular for the past few years, so it only seems natural that Brazil would jump on it as well.

Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) is a temporary one-year visa that allows for foreign citizens employed outside Brazil to live in and work remotely in the country. However, the Visa does not allow foreigners to have official work arrangements of any form, as there’s a minimum monthly income you should have to be granted with the Visa.

In this post, we’re going over everything you need to know about Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa, give you the step-by-step on how to apply, how much it costs, how long it takes, and all the important stuff you know we always bring you!

Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa At A Glance

What is it?
A temporary visa allows a foreign citizen to stay up to a year living in Brazil while working remotely for a company outside the country.

Requirements
The foreign citizen must have a minimum monthly income of USD 1,500 or an available bank balance total of USD 18,000 from sources outside Brazil.

Restrictions
The foreign citizen in question cannot have any local employer or be sponsored by Brazilian companies or entities.

On January 24th, 2020, Brazil’s National Immigration Council regulated granting temporary visas (VITEM XIV) and residence permits to immigrants who may work for foreign employers while staying in Brazil.

National Justice Secretary José Vicente Santini said that the measure is an attempt to keep up with the global trend and also to help boost tourism, one of Brazil’s main sources of income. “The remuneration of digital nomads stems from a source overseas, and the funds brought over by these immigrants warm up the Brazilian economy. This is an important step for Brazil in promoting one of the most modern labor models,” he stated.

Requirements To Get Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)

Before getting to actually making the request for a Digital Nomad Visa, it is important to get to know the requirements for actually getting the document. Take a look at all of them:

Passport (valid and signed with at least two blank Visa pages);
Proof of residence in the U.S. (visa or Green Card), for non-U.S. citizens
Visa Application Form Receipt (printed and signed)
Passport-style photo (2”x2”)
U.S. Postal Service Money Order (visa fee – US$ 100.00)
Birth Certificate (original and one copy)
FBI Background Check (issued within the past 60 days)
Pre-paid Priority or Priority Express Envelope from U.S. Postal Service (envelopes from other carriers, e.g. FedEx/UPS are also accepted)
Health insurance valid in Brazil;
Flight itinerary showing entry in Brazil;
Statement attesting applicant’s ability to carry out their professional activities remotely, through information technologies and communication;
Employment contract or provision of services or other documents that prove the link with foreign employer; and
proof of means of subsistence, from a foreign paying source – monthly payments equal to or greater than US$ 1,500.00 (one thousand five hundred dollars) or availability of bank funds in the minimum amount of US$ 18,000.00 (eighteen thousand dollars).

Note: Before submitting Visa applications, all applicants must fill in the respective form and upload the necessary documents on their online applications at https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/pacomPasesWebInicial.jsf

Visa applications submitted without the required upload of documents will be returned unprocessed.

Where Do I Send My Digital Nomad Visa Application?

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Visa applications are only being received by mail or using an affiliated visa service agency, as follows:

By Mail

Applicants may submit required documentation by mail to the following address:

Consulate General of Brazil in Washington
1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 280W
Washington, DC 20005
Att: Visa Sector

Along with the required documentation for the visa, applicants must include an additional self-addressed, pre-paid return envelope with a tracking number (Priority or Priority Express flat-rate) from the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx.

This envelope will be used to return the visa to the applicant and may be folded in half to fit inside the original sending envelope. Applications by mail should also include the applicant’s contact information (address, phone number, and email) in case contact is necessary.

Return envelopes with addresses outside the United States will not be accepted. Therefore, applicants should be sure to keep a copy of the tracking numbers of both the incoming and return envelopes.

Before contacting the Consulate in reference to the whereabouts of a document, first, check the tracking information of the envelopes at www.usps.com (or at UPS link, or FedEx link, if any). The Consulate does not assume responsibility for any delays or losses by the postal service.

Note: in view of the occurrence of frequent delays in the delivery of envelopes sent by mail (USPS), the Consulate is now accepting visa applications submitted by FedEx and UPS “drop off”envelopes, besides by USPS. Please note that only USPS money orders are accepted.

By Using an Affiliated Visa Service Agency:

The consulate processes Visas submitted by Visa Service Agencies

Couriers are allowed to drop off and pick up the visa applications from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-1 pm without appointments. All visa agencies receive identical treatment from the Visa Department. The Consulate is not responsible for the services of visa agencies.

NOTE: THE CONSULATE DOES NOT PROVIDE URGENT OR PRIORITY SERVICES, HENCE NO EXPEDITING FEES ARE CHARGED BY THIS CONSULATE. Shop around and compare costs before choosing a firm to assist you if you choose to apply using a visa.

How To Get Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)?

The temporary Digital Nomad Visa must be requested at any Brazilian consular office abroad. Along with the form you need to fill out (link above), you’ll also be requested the documentation described above and information regarding your employment situation.

How Much Does It Costs To Get Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)?

Since this type of Visa has just been formalized in Brazil, there is still little information about it, such as the costs of the process. We have reached the Brazilian Embassy in Washington DC to better grasp the subject, but there has been no response up to the date this post was published.

We will update this information as soon as we have it confirmed.

How Long Does It Take To Get Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)?

If you wish to complete the process by mail, it takes 15 business days to get your Digital Nomad Visa. If you wish to use an affiliated visa service, it can take up to 5 business days.

For How Long Can I Stay With Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)?

You can stay in Brazil working remotely for a full year (12 months) with the Brazilian Digital Nomad Visa. Furthermore, you can get an extension of this period (for another 12 months), allowing you to stay a total of 24 months.

Can I Add Dependants To Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)?

It is not yet clear if foreign citizens eligible for Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa are able to sponsor dependent family members under this visa category, as there is no information in the resolution regarding this matter.

As soon as we have more accurate information, we’ll get this post updated right away.

Why Has Brazil Created the Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)?

Like many other countries, Brazil has been battling a deep economic recession after both the Covid-19 pandemic and internal political issues regarding how to handle the Coronavirus flooded the country. Being one of the most famous countries in South America, it only seems natural the country would open up to attract foreigners.

So the Digital Nomad Visa intends to increase the number of foreign “digital nomads” in Brazil while stimulating the economy, creating jobs, and helping the country to bounce back from the dire economic scenario.

It is worth noting that citizens of most South American countries (including Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay) already enjoy the possibility of moving freely within Brazil and across other fellow Mercosur-associated countries.

Are There Tax Benefits With Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)?

This information is still not clear, but we will update this post as soon as we have it.

Conclusion

Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa is a great way of getting to know more of the country without having to compromise your work, that is if you have the possibility to work remotely. There is a lot of fantastic places around the country to get to know, so it is time to start planning!

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