Live in Brazil. Keep your job abroad. Handled in English.
The Brazil digital nomad visa (RN 45/2021) lets you live here while you keep working for your employer or clients abroad. ZS Advogados is led by the first American to pass Brazil's Bar — an American who immigrated here himself. We work fully in English and Portuguese, and we can run your case from abroad with a power of attorney. Send us your situation and you'll leave knowing exactly where you stand.
Message us and we'll answer your questions about your situation and next steps — and set up a consultation if it's the right fit.
Or book a paid 60-min consultation — US$300A full private video session with a Brazil-licensed lawyer (OAB/SP 351.356). Choose a time that works for you.
- 1st American admitted to the OAB
- 1,200+ cases handled
- 15+ years
- OAB/SP 351.356
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What the Brazil digital nomad visa actually gets you
Brazil built this visa under Normative Resolution 45/2021 (RN 45/2021) for exactly your situation: you work remotely for an employer or clients outside Brazil, and you want to live here legally. You file it yourself — no Brazilian company has to sponsor you. Once approved, you get a temporary residence permit — typically issued for an initial period and renewable, subject to the rules in force for your case — and you register for a CPF and a CRNM with the Federal Police after you arrive.
To qualify, you show proof that you work remotely for a company abroad, that you earn the minimum monthly income set by the regulation, and that you hold international health insurance for the length of your stay. Bringing family? Your spouse or stable-union partner and minor children come along as dependents on your visa, with separate paperwork for each.
We handle the parts that trip people up: confirming you actually qualify before you spend a dollar, getting your documents right (apostille and sworn translation included where needed), and filing in the correct place — your consulate abroad or the Federal Police inside Brazil, depending on your case. The income threshold and the fine print shift from time to time, so we lock down the current rules with you up front in your consultation. You talk to a lawyer directly, in English, at every step.
Key Requirements
Proof of Remote Work
An employment contract or service agreement with a company based outside Brazil.
Minimum Income
Evidence that you earn the monthly minimum set by RN 45/2021. We confirm the current figure with you.
Health Insurance
International health coverage valid for the whole time you'll be living in Brazil.
Bring Your Family
Your spouse or stable-union partner and minor children can come as dependents on your visa.
How it works
A clear path from first call to follow-up. The exact steps depend on your case — we confirm the current requirements with you before anything is filed.
- 1
Initial review
We talk through how and where you work remotely, flag the likely path, and tell you honestly whether the digital nomad route fits your situation.
- 2
Documents
We give you a checklist tailored to your case and help you gather, apostille, and arrange sworn translation of what is needed — including your remote-work and health-insurance proof.
- 3
Filing
We prepare and submit your application to the relevant Brazilian authority and handle the paperwork — remotely via procuração where possible.
- 4
Government step
We track the process and respond to requests. Timelines vary by consulate and case, so we keep you updated as things move.
- 5
Arrival & follow-up
We guide the after-arrival steps — such as Federal Police registration and your CPF — and stay available for what comes next, including renewal when the time comes.
Not sure if the digital nomad route fits?
Tell us how and where you work remotely, and we'll walk you through the path that applies to you.
What you'll need
Most cases draw on the same core documents. Think of this as a starting point — the exact list depends on your situation, and we confirm the current requirements with you.
- A valid passport
- Proof that you work remotely for an employer or clients located outside Brazil
- International health insurance valid for the length of your stay
- A criminal background check from your home country
- Civil documents (e.g. birth or marriage certificate), apostilled
- A sworn (juramentada) translation of your foreign documents
- A CPF (Brazilian tax ID) — we can help you obtain one
- Proof of address
Your case may need more or fewer documents. We give you a tailored checklist before you start gathering anything.
Where foreigners commonly get stuck
A few things trip people up more than others. Knowing them early makes the process smoother — here's what careful handling looks like.
Proving the remote-work relationship the right way
The documents that show you work for an employer or clients outside Brazil need to fit what the authority expects. Getting the format right up front avoids back-and-forth later.
Documents that aren't apostilled or sworn-translated
Foreign documents often need an apostille and a sworn (juramentada) translation to be accepted. Sorting the right format early avoids delays.
Filing in the wrong place
A case can sometimes go through a consulate abroad or through the Federal Police inside Brazil, and the right route depends on your situation and timing. We confirm which one fits before you file.
Missing after-arrival steps
Steps like registering with the Federal Police and getting a CPF are easy to overlook in the first weeks. We flag the sequence so nothing slips.
Meet Your Legal Team
Zachariah Zagol
Founding Partner — OAB/SP
The first American to pass Brazil's Bar Exam. LL.M. from USC. Over 15 years helping foreigners navigate Brazilian law.
Karina Peres Silverio
Partner — OAB/SP 331.050
Specialist in immigration, real estate, and international law. Fluent in English and Portuguese.
Frequently Asked Questions — Digital Nomad Visa Brazil
Who qualifies for the digital nomad visa Brazil?
How long is the digital nomad visa Brazil valid?
Can I apply from inside Brazil or do I need to file abroad?
Can my family come with me on the digital nomad visa?
How is the digital nomad visa different from a work visa?
Can you handle my case if I'm not in Brazil yet?
Do my documents need to be translated?
How long does the process take?
Which languages do you work in?
Tell us your situation — in English
Send us a few details about your work and where you're based. We'll tell you whether the RN 45/2021 route fits and map your next step — in English, with a Brazilian lawyer who made the same move himself.