Eligibility quiz
Are you married to someone who lives in Brazil, or in a stable union with someone who does?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Brazil
You can live and move freely in Brazil for the period on your residence record or card.
Your permission may have an end date or be for an unlimited period.
Attend public education
You can access public education in Brazil.
Work in Brazil
You can work in Brazil, including for pay, under the same conditions as Brazilian citizens.
You are not limited to working for the family member through whom you gained residence.
You have workplace protections and can join a union.
Leave and return
You can leave and return to Brazil, including while a residence or renewal request is pending.
Travel with a valid passport and residence card or other valid immigration documents, and check the carrier’s and destination’s rules.
Exercise everyday rights
You can join associations, meet peacefully and go to court.
You have a right to information and to have your personal data kept private.
Free legal help is available if you cannot afford it.
Own and manage property
You have property rights, can open a bank account and can legally send money abroad.
Use public healthcare
You can use public healthcare in Brazil whatever your citizenship.
Access social support
You can access social assistance, housing and other public social services and benefits available to migrants.
You can also access social security under its rules.
How to apply
From outside BrazilFrom outside Brazil
Find your consulate
Find the Brazilian embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you are applying.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Brazilian consulate handles family reunion visa applications for your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate and for your registration in Brazil.
See required documentsGet the visa form
Get the online form for the temporary family reunion visa, called VITEM XI.
Find the visa formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I get Brazil's online VITEM XI family reunion visa application form?”
Fill in the form
Fill in the online visa form and save and print the application receipt.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Brazil's online VITEM XI family reunion visa application form?”
Register your request
Register your request in your consulate's e-Consular system and upload the requested documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register a Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa request in e-Consular at your city?”
Wait for validation
Wait for the consulate to validate your request before booking an appointment. Respond if the consulate asks for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow my Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa request in e-Consular at your city?”
Book an appointment
Once your request has been validated, book an appointment through your consulate's e-Consular system.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa appointment in e-Consular at your city?”
Pay the visa fee
Pay the consular fee if it applies, following your consulate's payment instructions.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa fee at the consulate in your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your signed receipt, passport, recent photograph and the originals of your uploaded documents to the consulate. You can bring another format if your consulate accepts it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to my Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa appointment at your city?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application through your consulate's e-Consular or status service. Respond if the consulate asks for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa application at your city?”
Collect your visa
If your visa is approved, collect it when the consulate tells you to.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect an approved Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa from the consulate in your city?”
Once in BrazilOnce in Brazil
Enter Brazil
Travel to Brazil with your family reunion visa. You must register with the Federal Police within 90 days after you enter.
Find entry instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Brazil with a VITEM XI family reunion visa?”
Find your police office
Find the Federal Police immigration office that serves the place where you live in Brazil.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Federal Police immigration office serves your city for Brazil family reunion visa registration?”
Get the registration form
Get the Federal Police form for registering your family reunion visa.
Find the registration formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I get the Federal Police registration form for a Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa?”
Fill in the form
Fill in the Federal Police registration form for your family reunion visa.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Federal Police registration form for a Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa?”
Pay the registration fee
Generate the applicable Federal Police payment form and pay the fee through the Brazilian banking network. Keep your payment receipt for your appointment.
Generate the payment formBook your registration appointment
Book an appointment at the Federal Police office serving your home. In some places, the office accepts bookings by its immigration email instead.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring your completed form, required documents and payment receipt to the Federal Police office. The police will record your registration details and biometrics.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a Federal Police appointment to register a Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa?”
Collect your residence card
Follow the Federal Police's instructions to collect your National Migration Registration Card, or CRNM. You can use it as your residence registration card in Brazil.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my CRNM after Federal Police registration of a Brazil VITEM XI family reunion visa?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's residence record
Provide your spouse or partner's Brazilian residence card or other official Brazilian identity document showing their residence status.
Joint relationship declaration
You and your spouse or partner must both declare, under penalty of law, that your relationship and life together continue. Ask the office where you apply about its preferred format.
Partner's residence declaration
Provide a declaration, made under penalty of law, that your spouse or partner lives in Brazil. Ask the office where you apply about its preferred format.
Birth or marriage certificate* *
Get your birth or marriage certificate, or a consular certificate showing your parents' names. Ask the office that issued it for a copy.
* Only if you apply to the Federal Police and your passport or ID does not show your parents' names.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificate* *
Get your marriage certificate from the office that registered your marriage. Another document that legally proves your marriage may also be accepted.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of partnership* *
Get an official stable-union certificate or a decision from a court or other authority that can confirm your partnership. If these are unavailable, provide a civil-registry certificate or similar record, statements from two witnesses made under penalty of law, and at least one supporting item. Supporting items include proof of tax dependency, a religious marriage certificate, a will naming your partner, life insurance naming your partner as beneficiary, a registered joint property deed or joint lease, a joint bank account record, your child's foreign birth certificate, or another record that proves your partnership.
* Only if you apply as an unmarried partner.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Family sponsorship limit
In general, if you hold only this kind of residence, another person cannot use your residence as the basis for their own family residence.
Residence records and renewal
Keep your residence record and address up to date, and request renewal before your permission expires.
If its end date is tied to your family member’s, renewal requires proof that they renewed their residence and still live in Brazil.
Residence can be lost
Your permission can expire or be cancelled for reasons including fraud, a conviction or no longer meeting its conditions.
A family breakup does not end it automatically, but over two years abroad without an accepted reason can lead to cancellation.
You can be notified, defend yourself, seek an interpreter or legal help, and appeal.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Foreigners in Brazil
English Facebook group for people living in Brazil interested in Brazilian visas
Join on FacebookExpats in Brazil Q&A
English Facebook group for people living in Brazil interested in Brazilian visas
Join on Facebookr/ForeignersInBrazil
English Reddit group for people living in Brazil interested in Brazilian visas
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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