--- title: "Brazil Family Visa (VITEM XI): Complete 2026 Guide" description: "Brazil family visa (VITEM XI) 2026: spouses, stable union, same-sex couples, children & parents of Brazilians. Documents, processing time & residency path." url: "https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-family-visa" canonical: "https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-family-visa" og_type: "website" og_title: "Brazil Family Visa (VITEM XI): Complete 2026 Guide" og_description: "Brazil family visa (VITEM XI) 2026: spouses, stable union, same-sex couples, children & parents of Brazilians. Documents, processing time & residency path." og_image: "https://getbrazilvisa.com/og-camila.jpg" twitter_card: "summary_large_image" crawl_date: 2026-11-11 last_modified: 2026-10-19 language: "en-US" author: "Camila Araujo Mota" author_credential: "OAB-licensed Brazilian Immigration Lawyer (OAB/CE 50.065)" author_profile: "https://getbrazilvisa.com/camila-araujo-mota" reviewed_by: "Camila Araujo Mota" publisher: "GetBrazilVisa" source: "https://getbrazilvisa.com, Path B build-time prerender" --- Last updated: October 19, 2026 # Brazil Family Visa (VITEM XI): Complete 2026 Reunification Guide Everything foreign spouses, stable-union partners, children, and parents of Brazilians need to know about the VITEM XI family reunification visa in 2026. ## Quick Answer The **Brazil Family Visa (VITEM XI)** is a temporary residency visa for the foreign spouse, registered stable-union partner, child, parent, or dependent of a Brazilian citizen or Brazilian permanent resident. It is grounded in **Lei nº 13.445/2017** (Migration Law) and recognizes both legal marriages and *união estável*, including same-sex relationships. Processing typically takes 15-30 business days via MigranteWeb, or 4-26 weeks at a consulate, varies by consulate, and the visa leads to permanent residency, with naturalization possible after one year for spouses of Brazilians. ![Camila Araujo Mota, OAB-licensed Brazilian immigration lawyer](https://getbrazilvisa.com/assets/camila-headshot-BKQod-ee.webp) Written by Camila Araujo Mota OAB-Licensed Brazilian Immigration Lawyer · [OAB/CE 50.065](https://cna.oab.org.br/) If you want it handled for you USD 599, paid once One flat fee covering the whole application end to end, on either route, with Camila on the file. No second payment on approval and no separate consultation fee. Start my free assessment Married to a Brazilian, or in a *união estável* with one? [The spouse and partner guide covers your case in more depth](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-residency-by-marriage), including the one-year naturalization route. Fala português? [Leia o guia em português sobre reunião familiar pelo MigranteWeb](https://getbrazilvisa.com/reuniao-familiar-migranteweb). ## What Is the Brazil Family Visa (VITEM XI)? The Brazil family visa, technically classified as **VITEM XI** (Visto Temporário para reunião familiar), is the temporary residence visa that allows a foreign national with a qualifying family tie to a Brazilian citizen or Brazilian resident to live legally in Brazil. The visa exists to give effect to the constitutional principle of family unity recognized in Article 226 of the Brazilian Constitution. Its legal basis sits across three instruments: the **Migration Law (Lei nº 13.445 of 2017)**, the implementing **Decree 9.199/2017**, and **Portaria Interministerial 12/2018**, the joint MJSP and MRE act that sets documentary requirements and procedure. Together these instruments replaced the older Estatuto do Estrangeiro framework and consolidated family reunification as one of the most accessible immigration pathways in Brazilian law. Unlike the income-based [VITEM XIV digital nomad visa](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa) or the employer-sponsored VITEM V work visa, the VITEM XI rests on the existence of the family relationship itself. The applicant does not have to demonstrate independent income or a Brazilian employment offer. The qualifying connection is the family tie. If you are not sure which Brazilian visa fits your situation, our ["Which Brazil visa do I need?" diagnostic](https://getbrazilvisa.com/which-brazil-visa-do-i-need) walks through the main categories side by side. ## Who Can Sponsor a Brazil Family Visa? Any of the following can sponsor a foreign family member under VITEM XI: **Brazilian citizens by birth**, **naturalized Brazilians**, **foreign nationals holding permanent residency** (the old *permanência* or the modern *autorização de residência por prazo indeterminado*), and **foreign nationals holding temporary residency** through visas such as VITEM I (researcher), VITEM V (work), or VITEM XIV (digital nomad). The sponsor must hold valid Brazilian identification documents at the time of application. For Brazilian citizens this typically means a current RG (Registro Geral) plus CPF. For foreign resident sponsors, a valid **CRNM** (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório) is mandatory, with sufficient remaining validity to cover the dependent's processing window. Sponsors are also asked, in many consulate processes, to provide a *termo de responsabilidade*, a notarized statement accepting responsibility for the dependent's stay in Brazil. This is not a financial guarantee in the formal sense but acknowledges that the sponsor will assist with accommodation and basic support. The Migration Law does not impose a fixed income floor for the sponsor in family-reunion cases, which makes VITEM XI considerably more flexible than equivalent visas in many other countries. ## Eligible Family Relationships Article 37 of the Migration Law sets four grounds for family reunion, and Decree 9.199/2017 (Art. 153) and Portaria Interministerial 12/2018 detail the qualifying relationships: | Relationship | Notes | | --- | --- | | Spouse or companion in legal marriage | Civil marriage, registered in Brazil or abroad. Religious-only marriages do not qualify unless they have civil effect under the law of the place of celebration. | | Stable-union partner (companheiro/a em união estável) | Brazilian Civil Code Art. 1.723: registered cohabiting partnership. Same-sex unions explicitly included since 2011 STF ruling. | | Child under 18 | Includes biological, adopted, and step-children. Requires birth certificate, apostilled and translated. | | Child over 18 with full incapacity | Documented medical or judicial incapacity to provide for self. | | Child over 18 in higher education | Pursuing university or equivalent studies; economically dependent on the sponsor. | | Ascendant (parent or grandparent) | Economically dependent on the Brazilian or resident sponsor. | | Sibling, grandchild, or other relative | Permitted in narrower circumstances when economic dependency and absence of other support can be documented; case-by-case review. | The "companion" category, partners in *união estável*, is one of the most distinctively Brazilian features of this visa and is covered in detail below. Foreign applicants frequently underestimate it: under Brazilian law, a properly documented stable union is the substantive equivalent of marriage for nearly every purpose, including immigration. ## Required Documents for VITEM XI Documentary requirements vary slightly between consulate routes and the in-country MigranteWeb route, but the core package is consistent. Every foreign-issued civil document must be **apostilled** under the 1961 Hague Convention (or consularized if the country of issue is not a Hague signatory) and accompanied by a **sworn translation** into Portuguese. | Document | Purpose | Apostille / translation | | --- | --- | --- | | Valid passport | Identity, with at least 6 months validity beyond intended entry | No | | Birth certificate (recent issue) | Identity baseline; required for children and ascendants | Yes / Yes | | Marriage certificate or stable-union declaration | Core proof of the qualifying tie | Yes / Yes | | Sponsor's RG/CPF (citizen) or CRNM (resident) | Confirms sponsor's status | Brazilian originals; copies accepted | | Criminal record check, last 5 years of residence | Background screening; typically valid 90 days from issue | Yes / Yes | | Passport-size photograph | Visa stamp / CRNM card | No | | Proof of address in Brazil | Where the family will reside; utility bill or rental contract | No | | Sworn translations (tradução juramentada) | All foreign-language documents | By translator registered with state Junta Comercial | | Visa application form (consulate route) | RER / E-CONSULAR online intake | Submitted electronically | **Apostille is non-negotiable.** The single most common cause of VITEM XI delay is foreign documents arriving without a proper apostille. The apostille must be issued by the competent authority of the country of *origin* of the document, not by the Brazilian side. Once apostilled, the document is then translated in Brazil by a sworn translator (tradutor juramentado). Country-by-country apostille steps are in our [apostille guide](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa-apostille-guide); US applicants order the criminal record check through the [FBI Identity History Summary](https://getbrazilvisa.com/fbi-background-check-for-brazil-visa); and the [Brazilian consulate finder](https://getbrazilvisa.com/find-brazilian-consulate) shows which post has jurisdiction over your address. The criminal background check is the most time-sensitive item. Brazilian consulates and the Federal Police typically require it to have been **issued within the last 90 days**. Applicants who have lived in multiple countries within the past five years must produce a separate check from each jurisdiction, and apostille each one. ## Stable Union (União Estável): What Counts and How to Register Brazilian law treats *união estável* as substantively equivalent to marriage. Article 1.723 of the Civil Code defines it as a "public, continuous, and durable cohabitation, established with the objective of constituting a family." There is no minimum duration written into the statute, but in practice consulates and the Federal Police look for evidence of a stable, ongoing relationship, not a recent declaration of intent. Foreign couples have three primary ways to document a stable union for VITEM XI purposes: 1. **Register the union in Brazil at a Cartório de Notas.** The couple appears before a Brazilian notary (in person or, in some states, with one party represented by power of attorney), declares the union, lists witnesses, and pays the notarial fee. The resulting public deed (*escritura pública de união estável*) is the strongest and cleanest form of proof. 2. **Register the union at a Brazilian consulate abroad.** Most Brazilian consulates can take the declaration directly when at least one party is Brazilian or where it serves a visa application. Procedures and fees differ by post. 3. **Produce a foreign-equivalent declaration.** A notarized partnership document from the foreign country (for example, a U.S. domestic partnership, a Canadian common-law affidavit, or a Portuguese *união de facto*) can serve as evidence if it is apostilled and sworn-translated. Supplementary documents (shared bank accounts, lease agreements, utility bills in both names, photographs over time, communications) strengthen the file. The cleanest path for couples already in Brazil on a tourist entry is to register the *união estável* at a Brazilian cartório and then file for VITEM XI through MigranteWeb without leaving. This avoids consulate processing entirely. ## Same-Sex Couples: Full Recognition Brazil fully recognizes same-sex marriages and same-sex stable unions for every immigration purpose, including VITEM XI. The constitutional foundation is the 2011 Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) decision in ADI 4.277/ADPF 132, which read the stable-union framework of Article 1.723 of the Civil Code as applying equally to same-sex couples. The 2013 **CNJ Resolution 175/2013** then required all Brazilian cartórios to celebrate same-sex marriages and to convert same-sex stable unions into marriages on request. The practical result: documentary requirements for same-sex VITEM XI applicants are identical to those for opposite-sex applicants, and the substantive review is the same. For couples whose home country does not allow same-sex marriage or registered partnership, the cleanest route is to register the union in a Brazilian cartório after legal entry as a tourist, then convert it directly into a VITEM XI application through MigranteWeb. ## Marriage with a Brazilian Citizen Marriage or a registered *união estável* with a Brazilian citizen is the most common family reunion case by a wide margin, and it works differently enough from the others to deserve its own treatment. There is no income requirement, work authorization is unrestricted once the CRNM is issued, and Article 66 of the Migration Law cuts the naturalization residence period from four years to one. Couples who married abroad should transcribe the marriage at the relevant Brazilian consulate, or at the 1º Ofício de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais in the city where the Brazilian spouse last resided, so that the marriage takes full effect in Brazil and every later dealing with Brazilian bureaucracy is simpler. **If you are the foreign spouse or partner of a Brazilian, read [Brazil Residency by Marriage](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-residency-by-marriage) instead of this page.** It covers the marriage versus união estável evidence question, the route decision, itemised costs, the one-year naturalization route and the failure modes, all specific to your case. ## Step-by-Step Application Process There are two parallel routes for VITEM XI: from outside Brazil through a Brazilian consulate, or from inside Brazil through the MigranteWeb portal of the Ministry of Justice. ### Consulate route (applicant outside Brazil) 1. Identify the Brazilian consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence and review its specific document list (each consulate publishes its own checklist). 2. Gather, apostille, and translate civil documents and the background check. 3. Complete the online visa request (RER / E-CONSULAR) and book the in-person appointment. 4. Attend the appointment, submit documents and biometrics, pay the consular fee. 5. Wait for issuance (typically 4-26 weeks, varies by consulate) and receive the visa stamp in the passport. 6. Enter Brazil. Within 90 days of arrival, register with the Polícia Federal to receive the CRNM. ### MigranteWeb route (applicant inside Brazil) 1. Enter Brazil legally (typically as a tourist) and ensure entry stamp is current. 2. Create the MigranteWeb account at [migrante.mj.gov.br/login](https://migrante.mj.gov.br/login) and select the family-reunion request type. 3. Upload all civil documents, the sponsor's identification, and the apostilled background check. 4. Pay the federal fees (GRU) and submit. Track the case number through the portal. 5. Upon approval (typically 15-30 business days), publication of the authorization appears in the Diário Oficial da União. 6. Schedule the Polícia Federal appointment within 30 days of the DOU publication to receive the CRNM. The portal mechanics (account creation, GRU payment, upload formats, tracking) are the same as for any residence request; our [MigranteWeb step-by-step walkthrough](https://getbrazilvisa.com/vitem-xiv-migranteweb-step-by-step) shows each screen. ## Processing Time Typical processing times in 2026: | Stage | Typical duration | | --- | --- | | MigranteWeb approval (in-country route) | 15-30 business days | | Consulate visa issuance abroad | 4-26 weeks after appointment, varies by consulate | | CRNM appointment scheduling | Currently 30-120 days, varies by city | | CRNM card delivery after biometrics | 30-90 days | | Total: outside Brazil to CRNM in hand | Approximately 4-7 months | | Total: tourist entry to CRNM in hand | Approximately 4-6 months | The Polícia Federal CRNM appointment is currently the longest queue. Major federal units in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília typically have multi-week backlogs. Booking the moment the DOU publication appears is critical to staying inside the 30-day registration window. Cannot find a slot? [Vagalerta books it for you](https://vagalerta.com/en/#book). R$ 99, paid after the booking exists. ## Validity, Renewal, and Conditions The initial CRNM issued under VITEM XI is typically valid for **one year**, though some consulates and Federal Police units issue cards with longer initial validity tied to the underlying family relationship. The holder may work, study, open Brazilian bank accounts, register a CPF, sign rental contracts, and access the public health system (SUS). Renewal is requested at the Federal Police before expiry. The renewal typically converts the temporary residence into **permanent residence** when the family tie has been maintained, particularly in the case of marriage or stable union with a Brazilian citizen. There is no fixed cap on renewals. VITEM XI is designed as the on-ramp to permanent residence rather than a standalone temporary status. The visa is conditional on the continued existence of the family relationship. If the underlying tie ends (divorce, dissolution of the stable union, or the sponsor's loss of resident status), the holder must report the change to the Federal Police. There are protective provisions (notably in cases of domestic violence) that allow the foreign spouse to retain residency even after divorce. ## Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship VITEM XI is the standard on-ramp to permanent residency in Brazil for family-tied applicants. The timeline depends on the relationship: | Family tie | Permanent residency | Naturalization eligibility | | --- | --- | --- | | Spouse of Brazilian citizen | Available immediately on application | After 1 year of continuous residence | | Stable-union partner of Brazilian citizen | Available immediately on application | After 1 year of continuous residence | | Parent of Brazilian citizen | Available immediately on application | After 1 year of continuous residence | | Child of Brazilian citizen | Available immediately on application | Standard 4-year rule | | Spouse / partner of foreign resident | Available when sponsor holds permanent residency | Standard 4-year rule (with possible reductions) | | Child of foreign resident | Tied to sponsor's status | Standard 4-year rule | A foreign-born child of a Brazilian parent (even if the child has never lived in Brazil) has a separate, stronger claim under Article 12 of the Brazilian Constitution: **Brazilian citizenship by descent**. The child can be registered at a Brazilian consulate as a Brazilian citizen at birth, after which VITEM XI is unnecessary. Whatever the tie, residency only becomes real once the Polícia Federal issues the CRNM card. Our [RNM and Federal Police registration guide](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa-rnm-federal-police) covers the appointment, the documents and the 90-day deadline. ## Children, Step-Children, and Adopted Children The VITEM XI framework treats biological, adopted, and step-children equivalently when the family relationship is properly documented. Birth certificates establish biological parentage; final adoption decrees establish adoptive parentage; and the marriage or stable-union document establishes the step-parent relationship. For minors, both legal parents must consent to the child's relocation to Brazil. If only one parent travels, a notarized parental authorization from the non-traveling parent (apostilled and translated) is required. International custody arrangements add complexity and are an area where engaging a family-immigration specialist early is particularly important. Dependent children over 18 must show ongoing economic dependency. The most common documentary support is enrollment in a recognized higher education program plus evidence that the sponsor covers tuition and living costs. ## Common Rejection Reasons VITEM XI has a relatively high approval rate compared to discretionary visas, but rejections do occur. The most common causes: - **Missing or invalid apostille** on a foreign civil document. - **Expired criminal record check.** Many applicants underestimate how quickly the 90-day window closes given apostille and translation lead times. - **Insufficient stable-union documentation**: for example, a single recent declaration with no supporting evidence of cohabitation. - **Sponsor's CRNM near expiry** or sponsor's permanent residence not yet finalized. - **Marriage celebrated abroad but not transcribed** at the Brazilian consulate or cartório. - **Sworn translation missing or done by a non-juramentado translator.** - **Suspicion of relationship of convenience**: rare, but can trigger an interview and additional evidence requirements. Most rejections are remediable. Brazilian immigration authorities typically issue a *exigência* (request for missing or corrected items) before refusing a file outright. Responding promptly and thoroughly to the exigência usually rescues the application. ## Family Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa Dependent A common point of confusion: VITEM XI is a standalone family-tie visa, whereas the [VITEM XIV digital nomad couples / dependent path](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa-couples) is a derivative status tied to a remote-worker primary applicant. The two are not interchangeable and serve very different fact patterns. | Feature | VITEM XI (Family) | VITEM XIV Dependent | | --- | --- | --- | | Basis of qualification | Family tie to Brazilian or Brazilian resident | Dependent of a foreign remote worker on VITEM XIV | | Brazilian sponsor required | Yes (citizen or resident) | No, primary applicant is foreign | | Income test | None for the dependent | Primary must show US$1,500/month; no fixed per-dependent add-on is set in RN 45/2021 | | Work in Brazil | Full work authorization with CRNM | Foreign-source remote work only; cannot accept Brazilian employment | | Path to permanent residency | Direct, especially for spouses of Brazilians | Conditional, tied to primary's status | | Naturalization | Reduced 1-year rule for spouses of Brazilians | Standard 4-year rule | For couples where one partner is a foreign remote worker and neither has a Brazilian family tie, the digital nomad pathway is usually the right tool, and our flagship [Brazil Digital Nomad Visa 2026 guide](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa) covers it in depth. For couples where one partner is Brazilian, or where a foreign family member is being reunited with a resident relative, VITEM XI is the correct pathway and a [family-immigration specialist](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-immigration-lawyer) is the right person to engage. Have an OAB-licensed lawyer handle the family reunion file Full Service: **$599**, paid once when you sign. Same price in Brazil (MigranteWeb) or abroad (consulate). Camila, our OAB-licensed immigration lawyer, personally handles your case. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the Brazil Family Visa (VITEM XI)? The VITEM XI is Brazil's temporary visa for family reunification. It allows the foreign spouse, civil partner, stable-union partner, child, parent, or dependent of a Brazilian citizen or Brazilian permanent resident to live in Brazil. The legal basis is the Migration Law (Lei nº 13.445/2017) together with Decree 9.199/2017 and Portaria Interministerial 12/2018. ### Who can sponsor a Brazil family visa? Brazilian citizens by birth, naturalized Brazilians, and foreign nationals holding permanent or temporary Brazilian residency can sponsor qualifying family members. The sponsor must hold a valid Brazilian ID (RG, CPF for citizens; CRNM for foreign residents) and provide proof of the family relationship and, in some consulate processes, proof of means of support. ### Does Brazil recognize stable union (união estável) for the family visa? Yes. Brazil's Civil Code (Article 1.723) and the Migration Law explicitly recognize união estável, a non-marital cohabiting partnership, as equivalent to marriage for residency purposes. A registered declaração de união estável from a Cartório (Brazilian notary), or a foreign equivalent that has been apostilled and sworn-translated into Portuguese, qualifies the foreign partner for VITEM XI. ### Are same-sex couples eligible for the Brazil family visa? Yes. Same-sex marriages and same-sex stable unions are fully recognized for VITEM XI purposes following the 2011 Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) ruling and CNJ Resolution 175/2013. The application process and documentation requirements are identical to opposite-sex couples. ### How long does the Brazil family visa take to process? MigranteWeb in-country applications typically receive a decision in 15 to 30 business days. Consulate applications abroad take 4 to 26 weeks after the consulate receives a complete file, varies by consulate. CRNM (residence card) issuance at the Federal Police adds another 30 to 90 days after arrival in Brazil. ### Can I apply for VITEM XI from inside Brazil? Yes. If you are already in Brazil legally (for example on a tourist entry), you can apply directly through MigranteWeb without first obtaining a consular visa abroad. This is one of the most common pathways for foreigners who marry or enter a stable union with a Brazilian citizen while visiting the country. ### Do I need to translate foreign documents into Portuguese? Yes. Every foreign-language document (marriage certificate, birth certificate, stable-union declaration, criminal record check, etc.) must be sworn-translated (tradução juramentada) by a translator registered with a Brazilian state Junta Comercial. Translations must be attached to the apostilled original. ### What if my marriage was performed in a country that is not Hague Apostille signatory? If the country of issue is not party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, the document must be legalized through the Brazilian consulate with jurisdiction over the place of issuance. This consular legalization replaces the apostille and is typically slower and more expensive. ### Does the Brazil family visa lead to permanent residency? Yes. After the initial temporary residency under VITEM XI, the holder can apply for permanent residency. Foreign spouses or stable-union partners of Brazilian citizens can request permanent residency immediately after entry, and after one year of continuous residence as a permanent resident they may apply for Brazilian naturalization. ### Can children of a Brazilian citizen get the family visa? Yes. Foreign children under 18, or older children who are economically dependent and pursuing higher education, qualify for VITEM XI when the parent is Brazilian or a permanent resident. Foreign-born children of a Brazilian parent may also have a direct claim to Brazilian citizenship by descent through consular registration. ### How is VITEM XI different from the digital nomad visa (VITEM XIV)? VITEM XI is for foreigners with a family tie to a Brazilian or to a Brazilian resident, and does not require independent income proof for the dependent. VITEM XIV is for remote workers earning foreign-source income of at least US$1,500 per month, with no family-tie requirement. The two visas are not interchangeable. ### Can a VITEM XI holder work in Brazil? Yes. Holders of VITEM XI with a valid CRNM (the residence card issued after arrival) have full authorization to work for any Brazilian employer, sign Brazilian service contracts, register as a sole proprietor (MEI), or open a Brazilian company. This is a key difference from VITEM XIV dependents, who are limited to foreign-source remote work. ### What are the most common reasons VITEM XI applications are rejected? The leading causes are missing apostilles, expired criminal record checks (Brazil typically requires checks issued within 90 days), untranslated documents, unclear proof of stable union when no marriage exists, and gaps in the sponsor's CRNM or CPF status. Genuine relationship doubts are rare but can trigger an in-person interview. ### How much does the Brazil family visa cost? Government fees vary by consulate, typically ranging from US$100 to US$290 for the visa stamp, plus the Brazilian Federal Police CRNM issuance fee (around R$204) once in Brazil. Translation, apostille, and notary costs in the country of origin usually add several hundred dollars. Before you decide ## Why we recommend applying with a lawyer You can file the Brazil digital nomad visa yourself, and people are approved that way. Camila strengthens your application package, personalised to you, and helps you avoid the lengthy **cartas de exigência** that immigration officers send. Two real ones, from people who applied on their own: Carta de exigência 3 pages · 9 items · May 2026 Proof of income, the contract and the passport never sent. Read the letter Carta de exigência 2 pages · 5 items · July 2026 Translations sent without the originals, and a blank justification. Read the letter Names, process numbers and timestamps have been removed. Everything the Ministry asked for is exactly as it was written. ### What Camila does on your case - A written petition A legal argument for your case citing RN 45/2021, signed under OAB/CE 50.065. - Sworn translations By a tradutor público, filed with the originals. Asked for in both letters - Forms checked before filing The justification filled in, the right form, a payment slip that matches. 3 errors in the letters - Your Brazilian criminal records Federal, plus one per state you have lived in. Camila obtains them. - Your document list, in order What each is, where to get it, how long it takes, what needs an apostille. - A lawyer who has read your file Answers from the lawyer holding your case, not a help desk. - The filing, and what comes back She files as your representative and answers the Ministry in your name. The Federal Police step, after approval Approval is not the last thing that happens. Your residence has to be registered in person with the Polícia Federal before your RNM card exists. **The documents are not the ones you already sent.** The Federal Police ask for their own set. **What is required differs by state.** São Paulo does not ask for what Florianópolis asks for. **The appointment is the hard part.** Slots open without warning and go fast. Camila books yours. ## Other routes to living in Brazil GetBrazilVisa handles four residency routes for foreigners. If this page is not your case, one of these is. Whichever route fits, it is prepared and filed by our [Brazilian immigration lawyer](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-immigration-lawyer). [ ### Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) Remote income from outside Brazil. One year, renewable once. ](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa)[ ### Retirement Visa (RN 40/2019) About US$2,000 a month in transferable pension income. ](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa)[ ### Marriage & Family Reunion (VITEM XI) Married to, in a união estável with, or a parent or child of a Brazilian. ](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-residency-by-marriage)[ ### Golden Visa (VIPER) BRL 500,000 in a company (permanent at once) or BRL 1,000,000 in property (700,000 North and Northeast). ](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-investor-visa)[ ### Which Brazil visa do I need? The four routes side by side, with the eligibility test for each. ](https://getbrazilvisa.com/which-brazil-visa-do-i-need) ## Sources and Primary References - [Lei nº 13.445/2017: Lei de Migração (planalto.gov.br)](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2017/lei/l13445.htm): primary statute on family reunification. - [Decreto nº 9.199/2017](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2015-2018/2017/decreto/d9199.htm): implementing regulation defining VITEM categories and documentary requirements. - [Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública (gov.br/mj)](https://www.gov.br/mj/pt-br): CNIg resolutions and current procedural guidance. - [Polícia Federal: Imigração](https://www.gov.br/pf/pt-br/assuntos/imigracao): CRNM issuance and Federal Police procedures. - [MigranteWeb portal](https://migrante.mj.gov.br/login): official online application system for in-country VITEM XI requests. - [Ministério das Relações Exteriores (Itamaraty)](https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br): Brazilian consulate network for consulate-route applications. - [Código Civil: Lei nº 10.406/2002, Art. 1.723](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/2002/l10406compilada.htm): legal definition of união estável. - [Conselho Nacional de Justiça (CNJ)](https://www.cnj.jus.br): Resolution 175/2013 on same-sex marriage and union registration at cartórios. This page is prepared and reviewed by Camila Araujo Mota, OAB-licensed Brazilian immigration lawyer (OAB/CE 50.065). It is general information about Brazilian immigration law, not advice on your individual case. GetBrazilVisa handles VITEM XI family reunion applications for a flat USD 599, paid once on signing. Last updated: October 19, 2026. --- ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#organization","additionalType":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q613142","https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4830453"],"name":"GetBrazilVisa","alternateName":["Get Brazil Visa","GetBrazilVisa.com"],"url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com","slogan":"Brazil's dedicated digital nomad visa specialists","description":"Brazil's dedicated Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) specialist service. 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It allows the foreign spouse, civil partner, stable-union partner, child, parent, or dependent of a Brazilian citizen or Brazilian permanent resident to live in Brazil. The legal basis is the Migration Law (Lei nº 13.445/2017) together with Decree 9.199/2017 and Portaria Interministerial 12/2018."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-family-visa#faq-2","name":"Does Brazil recognize stable union (união estável) for the family visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Brazil's Civil Code (Article 1.723) and the Migration Law explicitly recognize união estável, a non-marital cohabiting partnership, as equivalent to marriage for residency purposes. 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After the initial temporary residency under VITEM XI, the holder can apply for permanent residency. Foreign spouses or stable-union partners of Brazilian citizens can request permanent residency immediately after entry, and after one year of continuous residence as a permanent resident they may apply for Brazilian naturalization."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-family-visa#faq-7","name":"Can a VITEM XI holder work in Brazil?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Holders of VITEM XI with a valid CRNM (the residence card issued after arrival) have full authorization to work for any Brazilian employer, sign Brazilian service contracts, register as a sole proprietor (MEI), or open a Brazilian company. 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Pay the visa fee.","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-family-visa#application-steps"},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":6,"name":"Register with the Federal Police","text":"After arrival in Brazil on a consular visa, register with the Polícia Federal within 90 days of entry. After a MigranteWeb approval, register within 30 days of the DOU publication.","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-family-visa#application-steps"}]}]} ```