Work remotely from Brazil for a year on US$1,500 a month
Show that much income from an employer outside Brazil, or US$18,000 in the bank, and you can live there for a year, then renew for another.
Americans pay a US$290 consular fee and apply through the Brazilian consulate for their state. Here's who qualifies, the full paperwork, and what happens to your taxes once you pass day 183.
Who it's for
Employees of companies outside Brazil
The visa is for people whose whole job can be done remotely for an employer abroad. You can't take pay from Brazilian companies, and the New York consulate says business owners don't qualify.
Few people used it early on: 57 foreigners held it in November 2022, mostly Americans, Brits and Russians.
Four numbers to check first
US$1,500
Monthly income
from a foreign employer
US$18,000
Or savings instead
in checking or savings
US$290
Consular fee
U.S. passports, Washington and New York
1 year
First stay
renewable for an equal period
VITEM XIV
The National Immigration Council of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, regulated the granting of temporary visas and residence permits so that immigrants may work for foreign employers while staying in Brazil, with no formal employment registered in the country.
- Government cost
- $100
- Processing time
- ~45 days
- Timeline
- 1 year, renewable
- Difficulty
- Hard
Key requirements
- Valid passport
- Proof of remote work for foreign company
- Monthly income of at least $1,500
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record
- No intention to work for Brazilian companies
About that data card
Where it lists the cost as $100, that's the fee for other nationalities. U.S. passport holders pay US$290 at the Washington and New York consulates. The income line also has a second option: US$18,000 in a checking or savings account works instead of monthly income. Washington says it processes mailed visas within 15 business days.
The process
How Americans apply, in order
Since April 10, 2025, Americans need a visa even to visit Brazil. For this one, you go through the Brazilian consulate that covers your state.
- Gather the file. Passport, application receipt, 2x2 photo, birth certificate (original plus a copy), FBI background check, health insurance valid in Brazil, flight itinerary, your contract with the foreign employer, a statement that you can work remotely, and proof of income or savings.
- Time the FBI check. Washington wants it issued within 60 days; New York, within 3 months.
- Mail it (Washington). Pay by USPS money order and include a prepaid Priority envelope for your passport.
- Register within 90 days of landing. Book an in-person Federal Police appointment. You'll pay R$168.13 to process and R$204.77 for the CRNM ID card, by GRU bank slip.
Brazil moved temporary visas online on September 1, 2026, but for nationals who don't need a visitor visa. Americans do, so confirm with your consulate before you mail anything.
The tax clock starts on day 184
Spend more than 183 days in Brazil in any 12-month period, consecutive or not, and you become a Brazilian tax resident. Your foreign pay then runs through the monthly carnê-leão calculation. You still file a U.S. return; the foreign earned income exclusion covers up to $132,900 per person for 2026.
The limits
What this visa won't do
- Lead to permanent residence. ZS Advogados, a Brazilian immigration firm, says nomad status can't be converted to permanent residence, and time on it doesn't count toward citizenship.
- Cover Brazilian clients. Pay from a Brazilian company falls outside the visa.
- Keep the self-employed in U.S. Social Security. Under the U.S.-Brazil agreement, self-employed people living in Brazil fall under Brazil's system.
If you want to stay for good, look at the investor visa: R$500,000 in a Brazilian company brings permanent residence from the start. File any switch before your nomad status lapses.
People who can help with Brazil
Rodrigo Martinez
Brazil Local Guide
Rodrigo Martinez is a local guide in Brazil who helps newcomers get to know the country.
Hunter Schultz
Healthcare Coach
Hunter Schultz is a healthcare coach who helps Americans work out how they'll get care abroad.
ExpatInsure
Global Health Insurance
ExpatInsure sells global health insurance for people living outside the U.S.
MyExpatTaxes
U.S. Expat Tax Service
MyExpatTaxes prepares U.S. tax returns for Americans living abroad.
Questions Americans ask about this visa
Can I work for Brazilian clients on the digital nomad visa?
No. The visa is for remote work for an employer outside Brazil, and pay from Brazilian companies falls outside it.
Does Brazil's digital nomad visa lead to permanent residence?
Not directly. A Brazilian immigration firm says nomad status can't be converted to permanent residence and doesn't count toward citizenship. Brazil's investor visa, with R$500,000 in a Brazilian company, grants permanent residence from the start.
Do I pay taxes in Brazil on the digital nomad visa?
Once you spend more than 183 days in Brazil in any 12-month period, you become a Brazilian tax resident, and your foreign income generally becomes taxable there through the monthly carnê-leão. You still file U.S. taxes; the foreign earned income exclusion covers up to $132,900 per person for 2026.
How much does Brazil's digital nomad visa cost for Americans?
The Washington and New York consulates charge U.S. passport holders US$290. After arrival, the Federal Police charge R$168.13 to process your registration and R$204.77 for the CRNM residence card.
How much income do I need for Brazil's digital nomad visa?
You need at least US$1,500 a month from an employer outside Brazil, or US$18,000 available in a checking or savings account. Either one qualifies; you don't need both.
Do I have to register after arriving in Brazil?
Yes. Temporary visa holders must register in person with the Federal Police within 90 days of arrival to get a migrant registration number and the CRNM ID card.
Do Americans need an FBI background check for Brazil's digital nomad visa?
Yes. The Washington consulate wants one issued within the past 60 days, and New York within the last 3 months, so check the rule at the consulate for your state.
How long can I stay in Brazil on the digital nomad visa?
The first residence period is up to one year, and it can be renewed for an equal period.
Other routes to Brazil
Brazil's investor visa: residence from a stake in a business or a home
Two routes for Americans with capital to put to work: a Brazilian company or urban real estate. Here's what each one asks for, costs and leads to.
Brazil's VITEM IV student visa: an $85 visa with a paperwork problem
For Americans heading to Brazil for a degree, a language school or a year-long exchange. The fee is small. The FBI check, apostilles and notarized letters are where the time goes.
Brazil work visa for Americans: the VITEM V, track by track
Who pays your salary decides your track, how long you can stay and what you file. What Americans pay, how long approval takes, and where files get stuck.
Brazil's VITEM X visa is in the law, but nobody can apply for it yet
Brazil created a temporary visa for economically, scientifically, technologically or culturally relevant work in 2017. As of September 2026 the rules that would open it still haven't been written. Here's which visa to use instead.
Not sure this is your route?
An Expatsi advisor can check your income, your employer setup and your timing against Brazil's other visas.
Why not you?