Your move to Brazil. Handled in English. By the first American to pass its Bar.
Don't know which visa you need? That's exactly where we start. Your lawyer immigrated to Brazil himself and learned its law from the outside in — the same way you would. Tell us your situation in English and you'll leave with a clear view of your path. With a power of attorney, we act for you on the ground in Brazil — many cases never require you to fly here.
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
Get in Touch
- We respond within 24 hours
- English & Portuguese
- Your data is protected under LGPD
Which path fits you?
Brazil has a different visa for each reason people come. Tell us where you fit and we'll take you to the details — or just send your situation below and we'll point you to the right one.
Not sure which one fits? Tell us your situation and we'll point you to the right path.
Why foreigners bring their move to ZS
A lawyer who's been the foreigner
Zac Zagol immigrated to Brazil himself and was the first American to pass its Bar. He learned this system from the outside — exactly where you're standing now.
Your whole case, in English
Documents, calls, and filings run in English and Portuguese, end to end. Nothing important gets lost in translation.
Handled from where you are
With a power of attorney we act for you inside Brazil, and tell you upfront what genuinely needs your presence — and what doesn't.
One firm for the whole move
Visa, property, company, family, taxes — the moving parts of relocating to Brazil handled together, not scattered across strangers.
How it works
A clear path from first call to follow-up. Because Brazil has a different route for each reason people come, the exact steps depend on your case — we confirm the current requirements with you before anything is filed.
- 1
Initial review
We talk through why you're moving and what you want out of it, flag the likely path for your situation, and tell you honestly whether we can help.
- 2
Documents
We give you a checklist tailored to your case and help you gather, apostille, and arrange sworn translation of what's needed.
- 3
Filing
We prepare and submit your application to the relevant Brazilian authority and handle the paperwork — remotely via procuração where possible, so many cases never require you to fly here.
- 4
Government step
We track the process and respond to requests. Timelines vary by consulate, authority, and the specifics of your case, so we keep you updated as things move.
- 5
Arrival & follow-up
We guide the after-arrival steps — such as registering with the Federal Police and getting your CPF — and stay available for what comes next.
Not sure where your case fits?
Tell us your situation and we'll walk you through the path that applies to you.
What you'll need
Most immigration cases draw on the same core documents. Think of this as a starting point — the exact list depends on your path and situation, and we confirm the current requirements with you.
- A valid passport
- 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 — each visa path has its own requirements. 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.
Starting down the wrong visa path
Brazil has a different route for work, family, investment, retirement, and remote work. Picking the wrong one early can mean redoing paperwork — we help you confirm which path fits before you begin.
Documents in the wrong format
Foreign documents often need an apostille and a sworn (juramentada) translation to be accepted — a regular translation usually isn't enough. We tell you which of yours need what, before you spend on it.
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.
Underestimating the timeline
How long a case takes depends on the route, the authority handling it, and your documents. We set realistic expectations up front and keep you posted as it moves, rather than leaving you guessing.
How our fees work
We quote a clear, written scope and fee before you engage us — no hourly surprises. What moves the price is complexity: the number of documents, whether a matter is contested, how many parties or heirs are involved, and how much needs apostille and sworn translation.
These are indicative estimate ranges only — not a quote or a fixed fee. Every matter is scoped individually, and your actual fee is confirmed in a written proposal before you engage us. Government, notary, registration, and sworn-translation costs are separate.
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.
"I started not even knowing which visa I needed. They laid out my options in plain English, told me straight what required my presence in Brazil and what didn't, and walked me through every step. Talking to a lawyer who had been the foreigner himself made all the difference."— American Expat | Immigration
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of visas are available for moving to Brazil?
How long does the immigration process typically take?
Do I need to fly to Brazil to start the process?
What documents are typically needed?
Can my family join me in Brazil?
I don't know which visa I need — can you still help?
Do my documents need to be translated?
Will I need a CPF, and can you help me get one?
Which languages do you work in?
Don't know which visa is yours? We'll map it out — in English.
Tell us what you're dealing with, in your own language. We'll ask the right questions, show you the path that fits, and explain exactly what to expect — step by step. Message us on WhatsApp, send your details, or book a paid consultation and review your case directly with a bilingual lawyer who knows this terrain.