---
title: "Brazil Retirement Visa 2026: Retire as a Foreign Pensioner"
description: "Brazil's retirement visa for foreign pensioners: the US$2,000 income test, consulate vs MigranteWeb, documents, costs and taxes. Reviewed by an OAB lawyer. USD 599."
url: "https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa"
canonical: "https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa"
og_type: "website"
og_title: "Brazil Retirement Visa 2026: Retire as a Foreign Pensioner"
og_description: "Brazil's retirement visa for foreign pensioners: the US$2,000 income test, consulate vs MigranteWeb, documents, costs and taxes. Reviewed by an OAB lawyer. USD 599."
og_image: "https://getbrazilvisa.com/og-camila.jpg"
twitter_card: "summary_large_image"
crawl_date: 2026-09-30
last_modified: 2026-09-28
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"
---
# Brazil Retirement Visa 2026: How to Retire in Brazil as a Foreign Pensioner

The RN 40/2019 residency route for retirees with roughly US$2,000 a month in transferable pension income. Requirements, real costs, timelines, and what the consulate needs that MigranteWeb does not. Prepared and filed by Camila Araujo Mota, OAB/CE 50.065. USD 599, one flat fee.

Brazil offers a retiree residency under CNIg Resolução Normativa RN 40/2019, issued in the VITEM XIV temporary visa category, for foreign nationals living on a pension. You show a transferable retirement income of about US$2,000 per month from abroad, a pension, an annuity, or Social Security. The residency runs about 2 years, is renewable, and leads to permanent residency. If your only income is a pension, this is usually the cleaner fit than the digital nomad visa, which shares the same VITEM XIV code but runs under different rules (RN 45/2021): it asks for less income (US$1,500/month) yet requires proof of remote work for a foreign employer or clients. A guaranteed government pension, military retirement, or VA benefits are ideal qualifying income for the retiree route.

Last reviewed: September 28, 2026 ~US$2,000/mo pension income Path to permanent residency

![Camila Araujo Mota, OAB-licensed Brazilian immigration lawyer](https://getbrazilvisa.com/assets/camila-headshot-BKQod-ee.webp)

Reviewed by [Camila Araujo Mota](https://getbrazilvisa.com/camila-araujo-mota)

OAB-Licensed Immigration Lawyer · [OAB/CE 50.065](https://cna.oab.org.br/) · Reviewed July 4, 2026

Camila (OAB-licensed Brazilian immigration lawyer) reads every case herself.

Our data454 of the 2,123 approved applicants whose age is published were 45 or older (172 of them 55 or older), against a median age at approval of 36. [See the live tracker →](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa-statistics#who-applies)

![Camila Araujo Mota, OAB-licensed Brazilian immigration lawyer](https://getbrazilvisa.com/assets/camila-headshot-BKQod-ee.webp)

Camila Araujo Mota

OAB-licensed Brazilian immigration lawyer · OAB/CE 50.065 · [verify](https://cna.oab.org.br/)

[5.0](https://getbrazilvisa.com/#reviews)

Registered firm

CNPJ 49.615.316/0001-87 · Brazil

Free assessment

No payment until you qualify

Quick reply

English and Portuguese

A lawyer, not an agency

Confidential lawyer-client relationship

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.

## Brazil Retirement Visa at a Glance

The retirement visa is a residency permit for foreign retirees who live on a pension paid from outside Brazil. It sits under CNIg Resolução Normativa RN 40/2019 and is separate from the [Brazil digital nomad visa](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa), which targets remote workers.

| Legal basis | CNIg RN 40/2019 (VITEM XIV, retiree / pensioner category) |
| --- | --- |
| Who it is for | Foreign retirees and pensioners living on income from abroad |
| Income test | Transferable retirement income of about US$2,000 per month, received from abroad |
| Qualifying income | Pension, annuity, Social Security, military or government retirement, VA benefits |
| Duration | About 2 years initially, renewable |
| Leads to | Permanent residency |
| Where to apply | Brazilian consulate abroad, or MigranteWeb from inside Brazil |
| Documents | Benefit or award letter, bank statements, passport, background check (apostilled and sworn-translated) |

Confirm the current figures for your case

Immigration rules and income figures change, and retiree residency has case-specific nuances. Treat the numbers here as a planning baseline. We confirm the exact current threshold and the right route for your income before you gather a single document.

## Who Qualifies: The Retirement Status Test

RN 40/2019 keys on **status**, not age. Article 1 covers a foreign national who is an *aposentado* (a retiree drawing a retirement benefit) or a *pensionista* (a beneficiary of a survivor pension). There is no minimum age in the resolution; a 52-year-old on a military pension qualifies on the same footing as a 70-year-old on Social Security. What the rule does not cover is someone who has simply stopped working and lives on savings: without a retirement or survivor benefit, the retirement route is not available and the digital nomad savings route (US$18,000) or another category has to do the work.

Official Rule

**The three tests, in the order the consulate applies them:**

1.  **Status:** you receive a retirement or survivor benefit, evidenced by the award letter from the paying body.
2.  **Amount:** the benefit is at least about **US$2,000 a month**, plus **US$1,000 a month for each dependant** who applies with you (RN 40/2019, art. 2).
3.  **Transfer:** the income is paid from outside Brazil and can be remitted to you in Brazil, evidenced by bank statements showing the deposits.

Practical Interpretation

A couple on one pension is the case that most often misses the number. One retiree on US$2,400 a month qualifies alone; the same retiree bringing a spouse needs US$3,000. If a second benefit exists in the household, a smaller pension, an annuity, a survivor payment, we file it alongside so the total clears the line for both of you. Send the figures before you order any apostille.

## Retiring in Brazil on a US Military or Government Pension, VA Benefits, or Social Security

A guaranteed government pension is close to perfect qualifying income for Brazilian residency. It is foreign-source, it is stable, and it is transferable, which are exactly the three things Brazilian immigration looks for. Whether the payment is US Social Security, a military or federal civil-service pension, or VA benefits, the analysis is the same: you are living on a reliable income paid from outside Brazil.

Because that income is so clean, most retirees on a government pension qualify comfortably for the retirement visa, and often for the digital nomad visa too. The decision usually comes down to the income figure and whether you still do any remote work, which we cover in the next section.

Official Rule

**How to document a government pension:**

-   Your official benefit or award letter (Social Security Administration, DFAS for military pay, VA, or your pension administrator) stating the monthly amount
-   Bank statements from the last several months showing the pension actually landing in your account
-   Bank statements are filed as issued and never apostilled; we confirm whether your award letter needs an apostille and a translation

Practical Interpretation

The single most common retiree mistake is bringing only the award letter. Immigration wants to see the money move, not just the promise of it. Pair the letter with bank statements that show the recurring deposit and your file becomes very hard to question. If you receive several income streams, a small pension plus Social Security plus an annuity, we combine them so the total clears the threshold.

## Retirement Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa: Which One Fits a Retiree?

Both visas are issued under the same VITEM XIV category, so the label alone does not tell them apart. What separates them is the rulebook and the income source. The retirement visa (RN 40/2019) is built for pension income, while the digital nomad visa (RN 45/2021) is built for people who still work remotely. Here is the honest tension: the digital nomad visa asks for LESS income (US$1,500/month vs about US$2,000/month), but its rules require proof of remote work for a foreign employer or clients, so a retiree whose only income is a pension normally does not qualify for it and uses the retiree route instead.

| Aspect | Retirement Visa | Digital Nomad Visa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visa category | VITEM XIV (temporary) | VITEM XIV (temporary) |
| Legal basis | CNIg RN 40/2019 | CNIg RN 45/2021 |
| Designed for | Retirees and pensioners | Remote workers and freelancers |
| Income test | ~US$2,000/month pension income | US$1,500/month foreign income OR US$18,000 savings |
| Income source | Pension, annuity, Social Security, VA | Employer or client income earned abroad |
| Initial duration | About 2 years, renewable | 1 year, renewable to 2 |
| Best for a pure pensioner | Yes, the clean fit | Normally not eligible (needs remote work for a foreign employer) |
| Best for a retiree who still works remotely | Either can work | Often the simpler qualifier |

Practical Interpretation

A quick rule of thumb. If your only income is a pension of about US$2,000/month or more, start with the retirement visa. If you still do paid remote work and want the lower income bar, the digital nomad visa may be simpler. If you are close to the line either way, send us your numbers first. You can also review the full [Brazil digital nomad visa requirements](https://getbrazilvisa.com/requirements-digital-nomad-visa-brazil) and the [cost of the process](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa-cost-2026) to compare.

## How to Apply: Consulate Abroad or MigranteWeb Inside Brazil

You can apply two ways: at a Brazilian consulate in your home country before you travel, or from inside Brazil through the federal MigranteWeb portal after entering as a tourist. Both routes review the same core documents; the difference is where you file and how you enter.

1.  1

    Confirm your income and route

    Send us your pension figures. We confirm whether the retirement visa or the digital nomad visa fits, and the current income threshold for your case.

2.  2

    Gather and apostille your documents

    Benefit or award letter, bank statements, passport, birth certificate and a background check. The background check and birth certificate are apostilled and then sworn-translated into Portuguese; bank statements never are, and we confirm whether your award letter needs an apostille. This is the longest lead-time step, so start early.

3.  3

    Choose consulate or MigranteWeb

    Apply at your nearest Brazilian consulate before you fly, or enter Brazil on a tourist entry and file through MigranteWeb from inside the country.

4.  4

    Submit and pay the government fee

    File the application, upload documents, and pay the processing fee (a GRU for the in-country route). We track the file and respond to any requests.

5.  5

    Register with the Federal Police

    After approval, register at the Polícia Federal within the required window to receive your CRNM residency card.

Practical Interpretation

Most retirees who are already comfortable traveling prefer the MigranteWeb route: enter on a tourist entry, then file from inside Brazil while you scout a city to live in. Retirees who want everything settled before they move often prefer the consulate route. Neither is universally better; it depends on your timeline and how you like to organize a move.

For the consulate route, the [Brazilian consulate finder](https://getbrazilvisa.com/find-brazilian-consulate) shows which post has jurisdiction over your address. For the in-country route, our [MigranteWeb step-by-step walkthrough](https://getbrazilvisa.com/vitem-xiv-migranteweb-step-by-step) shows each screen of the portal; the request type differs, the mechanics do not.

## Documents and Apostille

Your criminal background check and your birth certificate have to be apostilled in the issuing country and then sworn-translated into Portuguese by a certified translator (a tradutor juramentado). Skipping either step on those two is the most common reason a file stalls. Bank statements are never apostilled, and we confirm whether your pension or benefit award letter needs one.

-   Valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity
-   Proof of retirement income: pension, Social Security, VA, or annuity award letter
-   Bank statements showing the monthly income actually transferred to you
-   Criminal background check from your country of residence, apostilled
-   Birth certificate, apostilled in the issuing country (the FBI check goes through the US Department of State)
-   Sworn Portuguese translation of the background check and birth certificate, including their apostille pages
-   Proof of address in Brazil once you arrive (rental contract or host declaration)
-   Passport photos to the required specification

Country-by-country apostille steps are in our [apostille guide](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa-apostille-guide); US retirees order the background check through the [FBI Identity History Summary](https://getbrazilvisa.com/fbi-background-check-for-brazil-visa), which is the version the Department of State will apostille.

## Your Status While the Request Is Pending, and the 90-Day Background Check Window

Two rules decide how you sequence the move, and neither is on most retirement-visa pages. The first protects you; the second trips people up.

Official Rule

**Filing regularises you.** Once a residence request is protocolled through MigranteWeb, the applicant is treated as in regular migratory status while it is under analysis. Brazil's Migration Law guarantees the migrant the right to have a residence request processed and to remain regular during it (Lei 13.445/2017, art. 4, XV, applied through the protocol the portal issues). In practice that means a retiree who enters on a tourist entry and files before the 90 days run out is not overstaying while the file is open, and the protocol is the document that proves it.

**The background check is read as valid for 90 days.** Consulates and the Federal Police treat a criminal background check as current for roughly 90 days from its issue date. The apostille itself never expires, but a check issued in March for a July filing is stale on arrival and has to be re-issued and re-apostilled.

Practical Interpretation

The sequence that works: confirm eligibility first (free), then book the trip, then order the background check and its apostille about four to six weeks before the filing date, not before the flight. For the consulate route the same window applies to the appointment date. We time the document orders against the date you will actually file, which is the single most common thing a retiree gets wrong when doing it alone.

## What It Costs

Two sets of costs: the government's, and ours. The government fees are the same for every applicant and are paid directly to the bodies that charge them. Our fee is the same flat amount as for the digital nomad and family routes.

| Item | Amount | Paid to |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Residence authorisation analysis (MigranteWeb route) | R$168.13 | Federal government (GRU) |
| CRNM card issuance | R$204.77 | Polícia Federal (GRU) |
| Consular visa fee (consulate route) | About US$100 to US$290 by nationality | The Brazilian consulate |
| Apostilles and sworn translations | Varies by document count and country | Apostille authority and a tradutor juramentado |
| GetBrazilVisa Full Service | USD 599, paid once | GetBrazilVisa |

The USD 599 covers the whole application end to end: the eligibility read, the document list for your consulate or for MigranteWeb, review of every document before it is filed, the filing itself, replies to any request for more information, and the Federal Police registration step. It is paid once when you sign, on either route, and there is no second payment on approval. Government fees, apostilles and translations are paid directly to those bodies and are not included.

Inside the app

## From “Do I qualify?” to your visa, in one app

Answer a few questions for free, get a lawyer’s decision before any offer, then follow every paper of your case in one place.

![Opening frame of the app tour: the question Do I qualify? and the app's first intake screen](https://getbrazilvisa.com/assets/app-tour-poster-1600-DowgSvNQ.webp)

1.  **Answer one question at a time** About five minutes. No call, no fee.
2.  **Get your first read** Nomad and retirement: when you finish. Investor and family: same day, by Camila.
3.  **A lawyer decides, in writing** Camila Araujo Mota, OAB/CE 50.065, reads it herself. No offer before her decision.
4.  **One price, paid once** USD 599 for Full Service, signed and paid in the app. Government fees are separate.
5.  **Follow your case, paper by paper** See whose move it is, talk on every paper, and watch Camila seal each one.

5 minutes · no fee

Retirement visa, prepared and filed by Camila

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.

## Clients who got their Brazil visa with Camila

**5.0 stars from 11 verified Google reviews.** Real applicants on the VITEM XIV digital nomad visa, in their own words. Every review below is posted publicly on our [Google Business Profile](https://share.google/aXvWUzYKyrRLGwQnF) or on [Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/getbrazilvisa.com).

![Elizabeth, GetBrazilVisa client, in her video testimonial](https://getbrazilvisa.com/assets/elizabeth-testimonial-poster-DYt8ov_t.webp)2:08

Approved from inside Brazil, on a US passport.

Elizabeth · American · In-country application

Client videoApproved August 2026

![Storm, a GetBrazilVisa client, holding his approved Brazil digital nomad visa outside the Consulate General of the Federative Republic of Brazil in South Africa](https://getbrazilvisa.com/assets/storm-brazil-consulate-south-africa-D-LJzMSv.webp)Visa in hand

Visa collected at the Brazilian consulate in South Africa.

Storm · VITEM XIV · Consulate route

Client photoApproved August 2026

Trustpilot review

“I had a great experience with GetBrazilVisa. As a crypto guy, one of my biggest concerns was providing proof of assets. In my experience, processes in Brazil don’t always accommodate crypto holdings well, so finding a team that could help me make it work was a huge relief.”

Jhonathan Wong (Verified Customer)

Posted on TrustpilotSeptember 2026

Google review

“Best experience with a Lawyer I have had, successfully allowed me to get my Digital Nomad residence in Brazil. I applied with her for the Brazil digital nomad visa from in-country as a US Citizen with W2 employment.”

Ethan Emick

Verified by Google2 weeks ago

Google review

“without the help of camila and her legal team, I surely would have failed this visa process. The forms and requirements, And all the documents are so complicated you really need a legal advisor to help you do it correctly.”

Riley Eusden

Verified by Google1 month ago

Google review

“Camila kept my applications organized, ensured everything was filed on time, secured and prepared me for my appointments with the Federal Police, and made sure I had every document I could possibly need.”

Seth Rush

Verified by Google2 months ago

Trustpilot review

“I am an American living in Rio de Janeiro. I work remotely for an American company. I decided to apply for a digital nomad visa that would allow me to stay in Brasil for another year (rather than have to leave the country every 6 months). GetBrazilVisa was the best service I could have been introduced to.”

Philip (Verified Customer)

Posted on TrustpilotJuly 2026

![Marjorie and Joshua, GetBrazilVisa clients, holding their approved Brazil digital nomad visas after collecting them from the Brazilian consulate in Manila](https://getbrazilvisa.com/assets/marjorie-joshua-brazil-consulate-manila-Cwe-yFMM.webp)Approved together

Approved together at the Brazilian consulate in Manila.

Marjorie and Joshua · VITEM XIV · Consulate route

Client photoApproved August 2026

Approval times vary by consulate and by case. [Read all 11 reviews on Google](https://share.google/aXvWUzYKyrRLGwQnF) · [Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/getbrazilvisa.com)

## Retirement Visa vs Golden Visa: Two Passive-Income Routes

Retirees with capital sometimes ask whether to invest instead. The [golden visa (VIPER)](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-investor-visa) grants residency through an investment of BRL 500,000 in a Brazilian company or BRL 700,000 in real estate, and the company route is permanent from day one. The retirement route asks for nothing to be invested; it asks that a pension keep arriving. For most pensioners the retirement visa is the simpler file and the cheaper one, and the golden visa is worth a look only if you were going to buy property in Brazil anyway and want permanent status immediately rather than after the initial period.

Start my free assessment

Camila reads every case herself.

## Taxes for Retirees Living in Brazil

Once you spend 183 days in Brazil within a 12-month window you generally become a Brazilian tax resident, which means Brazil can tax your worldwide income, including your pension. Below that threshold you are usually taxed only on Brazilian-source income.

Official Rule

**The 183-day rule:** Brazilian tax residency triggers at 183 days of presence in any rolling 12-month period. From that point, worldwide income (pensions included) can fall inside the Brazilian system, taxed at progressive rates up to 27.5%. If you arrive on a residence authorization rather than as a tourist, tax residency can attach from when you establish residence, which may be earlier than 183 days, so confirm your exact start date with a tax professional.

**No full US-Brazil tax treaty:** The United States and Brazil do not have a comprehensive income tax treaty. Relief from double taxation usually comes through foreign tax credits (Brazil officially recognizes reciprocity with the United States) rather than a treaty exemption, so the same pension can interact with both tax systems.

Confirm your position with a cross-border tax professional

Retiree tax outcomes are genuinely fact-specific, and the absence of a US-Brazil treaty makes planning matter. Before you cross the 183-day line, speak with a tax professional who works across both the US IRS and the Brazilian Receita Federal. We are immigration counsel, not tax advisers, and this is one area where a specialist saves you money.

The IRPF brackets, the 2026 exemption and how foreign income is declared are set out in our [2026 Brazil tax guide](https://getbrazilvisa.com/blog/brazil-digital-nomad-tax-guide-2026); the residency rule is the same for a pension as for a salary.

## Cost of Living and Good Cities for Retirees

A US$2,000/month pension stretches a long way in most of Brazil. Outside the priciest parts of Sao Paulo and Rio, a retired couple lives comfortably on a government pension, covering rent, food, transport, and private healthcare with room to spare. Popular retiree cities include Florianopolis, Fortaleza, and Natal. Rent, safety and internet figures for each of them are in our [city-by-city comparison](https://getbrazilvisa.com/best-cities-in-brazil-for-digital-nomads).

For a full city-by-city breakdown of monthly budgets for a retired couple, the safest places to retire, and how the numbers shift with your lifestyle, see our complete guide to [retiring in Brazil](https://getbrazilvisa.com/retire-in-brazil).

## Healthcare for Retirees in Brazil

Brazil runs a two-track system: the public SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), free to legal residents, and private insurance, which costs a fraction of US premiums and buys faster access to private hospitals, which is why most foreign retirees carry a plan. Keep an international policy in place for your first months until you settle a local one, especially if your consulate asks for proof of coverage. Which policies consulates accept, and what they cost, is in our [Brazil visa health insurance guide](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-digital-nomad-visa-health-insurance).

Private premiums rise with age, so budget realistically as you get older. For age-based insurance costs, the best hospitals in the main retiree cities, and long-term care planning, see our full guide to [retiring in Brazil](https://getbrazilvisa.com/retire-in-brazil).

## Path to Permanent Residency

The retirement visa is not a dead end. Retirees can later apply to convert to [permanent residency](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-permanent-residency-path), which removes the renewal cycle and gives you an indefinite right to live in Brazil.

In practice, the sequence is straightforward: arrive on the retiree residency, keep your CRNM current, continue to show your pension income, and then move to the permanent card. Many retirees plan for this from day one so the transition is smooth.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I use my US Social Security or military pension to qualify for a Brazil retirement visa?

Yes. A US Social Security payment, a military or federal pension, VA benefits, or a private annuity all count as foreign-source retirement income for the retiree residency under CNIg Resolução Normativa RN 40/2019. What matters is that the income is stable, paid from outside Brazil, and transferable to you in Brazil. You document it with your official benefit or award letter plus bank statements showing the monthly deposits. Bank statements are never apostilled; we confirm whether your award letter needs an apostille. The current income test is roughly US$2,000 per month.

### Should a retiree apply for the retirement visa or the digital nomad visa?

It depends on your income. Both visas are issued in the same VITEM XIV category, so they are told apart by their rules, not their name. The retirement visa (RN 40/2019, about US$2,000/month) is the clean fit if your only income is a pension or Social Security, because it is built for exactly that. The digital nomad visa (RN 45/2021, US$1,500/month) has a lower income bar but requires proof of remote work for a foreign employer or clients, so a pure pensioner normally uses the retirement route. A retiree who also does some remote work may qualify for either one. Send us your numbers and we will tell you which fits.

### How much income do I need for the Brazil retirement visa?

The retiree residency under RN 40/2019 asks for proof of a transferable retirement income of approximately US$2,000 per month received from abroad, paid from a pension, Social Security, an annuity, or a similar source. Because the exact figure can change, we confirm the current threshold for your specific case before you gather documents.

### How long is the Brazil retirement visa valid, and can it become permanent?

The initial residency runs for roughly 2 years and is renewable, and it can later be converted to permanent residency. In practice this means you arrive on the retiree residency, keep it current, and then move to a permanent card, which removes the renewal cycle.

### Do I have to pay Brazilian tax on my US pension?

Once you spend 183 days in Brazil within a 12-month window you generally become a Brazilian tax resident and are taxed on worldwide income, which can include your pension. There is no full US-Brazil income tax treaty, so relief usually comes through foreign tax credits rather than a treaty exemption. This area is genuinely fact-specific, so confirm your position with a cross-border tax professional before you relocate.

### Which Brazilian cities are best for retirees?

Florianopolis is popular for its beaches, safety, and quality of life. Fortaleza and Natal in the northeast offer warm weather year-round and a lower cost of living. All three have good private hospitals and established communities of foreign residents. Your ideal city depends on climate preference, budget, and how close you want to be to a major airport.

### Is there a minimum age for the Brazil retirement visa?

No. RN 40/2019 sets no age threshold. Eligibility turns on already receiving a retirement or survivor benefit, so a 50-year-old drawing a military pension qualifies on the same basis as a 70-year-old on Social Security. Someone who has stopped working but has no benefit does not qualify under this rule and should look at the digital nomad savings route or another category.

### Can I bring my spouse or children on the retirement visa?

Yes. Dependants apply with the principal retiree, and RN 40/2019 raises the income test by about US$1,000 a month for each dependant. A single retiree needs about US$2,000; a retiree with a spouse needs about US$3,000. Each dependant receives their own residence card.

### Can I apply for the retirement visa from inside Brazil?

Yes, through MigranteWeb, after entering on a tourist entry. Once the request is protocolled you are in regular migratory status while it is analysed, so filing before your 90 days run out means you are not overstaying while the file is open. The alternative is to apply at a Brazilian consulate in your home country before you travel. Both routes review the same core documents.

### Is health insurance required for the retirement visa?

It depends on where you file. Consulates abroad generally ask for proof of health cover valid in Brazil for the stay; the MigranteWeb route inside Brazil does not require it. Whichever route you use, carrying an international policy for your first months until a local plan is in place is sensible, because private hospitals expect it and premiums rise with age.

### How long do the apostilles stay valid?

An apostille never expires. The 90-day window applies to the criminal background check itself, counted from its issue date. Order the background check and its apostille four to six weeks before the date you will actually file, not months before the flight, or you will pay for them twice.

### What does GetBrazilVisa charge for the retirement visa?

USD 599, paid once when you sign, on either the consulate or the MigranteWeb route. It covers the eligibility read, the document list, review of every document before filing, the filing, replies to any request for more information, and the Federal Police registration step. Government fees (R$168.13 for the analysis and R$204.77 for the CRNM card on the in-country route, or the consular fee abroad), apostilles and translations are paid directly to those bodies.

### Can a retiree get permanent residency in Brazil?

Yes. The retirement residency is renewable and can be converted to permanent residency, which removes the renewal cycle. In practice you arrive on the retiree residency, keep your CRNM current and continue to show the pension income, then move to the permanent card. Retirees who want permanent status from day one instead can look at the golden visa, which grants it immediately on the company-investment route.

### Does Brazil tax my US pension if I retire there?

Once you are a Brazilian tax resident, generally after 183 days in a 12-month period or from when you establish residence on a residence authorisation, Brazil can tax worldwide income including pensions at progressive rates up to 27.5%. The US and Brazil have no comprehensive income tax treaty, so relief usually comes through foreign tax credits rather than an exemption. Speak with a cross-border tax professional before you cross the 183-day line; we are immigration counsel, not tax advisers.

## 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)[

### 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 or BRL 700,000 in property. Permanent from day one.

](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)[

### Retiring in Brazil: cost, cities, healthcare

The lifestyle guide: cost of living, best places, pension transfer.

](https://getbrazilvisa.com/retire-in-brazil)[

### Permanent residency path

From temporary residency to a permanent card.

](https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-permanent-residency-path)

### Start with Camila

Camila Araujo Mota, OAB-licensed Brazilian immigration lawyer, personally reviews every case. Answer a few questions, free, and she tells you where you stand.

Start my free assessment

Camila reads every case herself.

Sources: CNIg Resolução Normativa RN 40/2019 (retiree residency), Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 45/2021 (VITEM XIV digital nomad), Lei nº 13.445/2017, Lei de Migração ([planalto.gov.br](https://www.planalto.gov.br)), Polícia Federal ([gov.br/pf](https://www.gov.br/pf)), Portal de Imigração ([portaldeimigracao.mj.gov.br](https://portaldeimigracao.mj.gov.br)). Last reviewed: September 28, 2026.

This page provides general informational content about Brazilian retiree residency and is not legal advice. Immigration rules, income thresholds, and tax treatment are fact-specific and can change without notice. Consult qualified counsel and a cross-border tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Last reviewed: September 28, 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. Every application personally reviewed by OAB-licensed immigration lawyer Camila Araujo Mota.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/logo.webp","width":200,"height":60},"foundingDate":"2024","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","value":2},"founder":[{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#camila"},{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#hassan"}],"employee":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#camila"},"memberOf":{"@type":"Organization","name":"OAB - Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (via Camila Araujo Mota, OAB/CE 50.065)","url":"https://www.oab-ce.org.br/"},"sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/company/getbrazilvisa","https://www.instagram.com/getbrazilvisa/","https://www.trustpilot.com/review/getbrazilvisa.com","https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJK3yhFp0p_SgR_yfAEFVphG8"],"contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer service","availableLanguage":["English","Portuguese","Spanish","French","Arabic"]},"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressCountry":"BR","addressLocality":"Fortaleza","addressRegion":"CE"}},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#website","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com","name":"GetBrazilVisa","alternateName":"Get Brazil Visa","description":"Brazil's dedicated Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) specialist service. OAB-licensed attorney Camila Araujo Mota personally reviews every application step by step.","publisher":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#camila","name":"Camila Araujo Mota","givenName":"Camila","familyName":"Araujo Mota","honorificPrefix":"Dra.","additionalType":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40348","jobTitle":"Immigration Lawyer & Co-Founder","description":"Licensed Brazilian immigration attorney (OAB/CE 50.065). Built her practice on the VITEM XIV digital nomad visa and now files all four Brazilian residency routes for foreigners: digital nomad, retirement, marriage and family reunion, and investor. Co-founder of GetBrazilVisa. Personally reviews every application step by step.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#camila-portrait","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/camila-araujo-mota-lawyer.jpg","contentUrl":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/camila-araujo-mota-lawyer.jpg","width":1262,"height":1070,"caption":"Camila Araujo Mota, Brazilian immigration lawyer, OAB/CE 50.065"},"url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/camila-araujo-mota","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","propertyID":"OAB-CE","name":"OAB-CE Professional License Number","value":"50.065","url":"https://cna.oab.org.br/Cnabusca/Resultado.aspx"}],"knowsAbout":["VITEM XIV","Brazil Digital Nomad Visa","Brazilian Immigration Law","MigranteWeb","Normative Resolution CNIg 45/2021","Apostille Convention (Hague)","Brazilian Federal Police RNM","Brazilian Consulate Procedures"],"hasCredential":{"@type":"EducationalOccupationalCredential","name":"Brazilian Bar Association License","credentialCategory":"Professional License","identifier":"OAB/CE 50.065","competencyRequired":"Brazilian Immigration Law","dateCreated":"2023","recognizedBy":{"@type":"Organization","name":"OAB - Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil, Seccional Ceará","alternateName":"OAB-CE","url":"https://www.oab-ce.org.br/","sameAs":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1339733","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Attorneys_of_Brazil"]},"validIn":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"Brazil"}},"memberOf":{"@type":"Organization","name":"OAB-CE: Brazilian Bar Association, Ceará Section","url":"https://www.oab-ce.org.br/"},"hasOccupation":{"@type":"Occupation","name":"Immigration Lawyer","occupationLocation":{"@type":"Country","name":"Brazil"},"experienceRequirements":"Brazilian Bar Association License (OAB)"},"alumniOf":{"@type":"EducationalOrganization","name":"Universidade Federal do Ceará","url":"https://www.ufc.br/","sameAs":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1888527"},"worksFor":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#organization"},"addressLocality":"Fortaleza","addressCountry":"BR","sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-araujo-mota"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#hassan","name":"Hassan Yassine","jobTitle":"Co-Founder","worksFor":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#organization"},"sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassanyassine"]},{"@type":"LegalService","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#service","additionalType":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q613142","name":"GetBrazilVisa: Brazil's Digital Nomad Visa Specialists","alternateName":"Get Brazil Visa","description":"Brazil's dedicated Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) specialist service. OAB-licensed attorney Camila Araujo Mota personally reviews every application: documents, income proof, apostilles, and translations, step by step. 95%+ approval rate, 30-day average processing.","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/","priceRange":"$599","serviceType":["Brazil Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) application","Brazil Retirement Visa (RN 40/2019) application","Brazil Residency by Marriage and Family Reunion (VITEM XI) application","Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER) application, quoted individually"],"provider":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#organization"},"areaServed":{"@type":"Country","name":"Worldwide"},"knowsAbout":["VITEM XIV","Brazil Digital Nomad Visa","MigranteWeb","Brazilian Immigration Law","Normative Resolution CNIg 45/2021"],"offers":{"@type":"Offer","price":"599","priceCurrency":"USD","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#pricing"},"hasOfferCatalog":{"@type":"OfferCatalog","name":"GetBrazilVisa Full Service: one flat fee for the digital nomad, retirement and family reunion routes","itemListElement":[{"@type":"Offer","price":"599","priceCurrency":"USD","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#pricing","itemOffered":{"@type":"Service","name":"Full Service","description":"End-to-end VITEM XIV handling across three stages: full dossier preparation, CPF and health-insurance guidance (pre-application); full MigranteWeb submission or consulate liaison with an attorney's legal petition (application); daily status monitoring, Federal Police and CRNM guidance, and handling of any follow-up requests immigration raises on the application (post-application). USD 599, paid once; the same price for the MigranteWeb and consulate routes, and the same flat fee for the retirement visa and residency by marriage or family reunion. Investor visa cases are quoted individually."}}]},"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":"5","reviewCount":"11","bestRating":"5","worstRating":"1"},"review":[{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"bestRating":5},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ethan Emick"},"reviewBody":"Best experience with a Lawyer I have had, successfully allowed me to get my Digital Nomad residence in Brazil. I applied with her for the Brazil digital nomad visa from in-country as a US Citizen with W2 employment.\n\nCamila is an expert, very diligent, and responsive. Feels like a personal service in comparison to other experiences I have had with immigration attorneys in other countries.\n\nI will reuse Camila for my renewal or changing my residency type. I am happy to have found a fair and trustworthy lawyer here in Brazil! I highly recommend Camila (and GetBrazilVisa) for all immigration matters in Brazil.\n\nThanks Camila!!"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"bestRating":5},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Seth Rush"},"reviewBody":"I can’t recommend Camila highly enough. Her rates were extremely reasonable, and the level of care, responsiveness, and professionalism she provided was exceptional.\n\nI initially hired her to help me obtain a Digital Nomad Visa, but during the process I decided to switch to a Family Visa and apply for residency instead. Even though the scope of the work changed, she remained just as attentive and supportive throughout. In fact, I felt compelled to pay her more than our original agreement because I was so impressed with the value she provided.\n\nCamila kept my applications organized, ensured everything was filed on time, secured and prepared me for my appointments with the Federal Police, and made sure I had every document I could possibly need. Thanks to her, I successfully obtained both my visitor visa extension and my resident visa.\n\nShe even went above and beyond by covering my appointment fees when I couldn’t pay with PIX as a foreigner.\n\nThis was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a lawyer. Camila genuinely cares about her clients and stands with you every step of the way. If you need immigration assistance in Brazil, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"bestRating":5},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"DJ"},"reviewBody":"I moved to Brazil from Denmark on the digital nomad visa in October of 2025 with the help of Camila. She was very professional and even when I had to delay my arrival she accomodated and made sure I was taken care of. From preparing my documents to getting my Brazilian ID card, she helped me with every step. Thank you!"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"bestRating":5},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Riley Eusden"},"reviewBody":"without the help of camila and her legal team, I surely would have failed this visa process. The forms and requirements, And all the documents are so complicated you really need a legal advisor to help you do it correctly. I wish I had hired her at the start of the application instead of halfway through."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"bestRating":5},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Mikael Mäkinen"},"reviewBody":"I was working from USA running my company and wanted to try a year in Brazil. The digital nomad visa process looked manageable on paper but once I started dealing with getting my documents apostilled through the DVV and figuring out what the Brazilian consulate actually needed, I hit a wall. Camila sorted everything out and was super patient with my million questions. If you plan on moving to Brazil, I highly recommend their service."}],"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressCountry":"BR","addressLocality":"Fortaleza","addressRegion":"CE"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa#webpage","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa","name":"Brazil Retirement Visa 2026: Retire as a Foreign Pensioner","description":"Brazil's retirement visa for foreign pensioners: the US$2,000 income test, consulate vs MigranteWeb, documents, costs and taxes. Reviewed by an OAB lawyer. USD 599.","inLanguage":"en-US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#website"},"about":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#service"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#organization"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa#breadcrumb"},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["h1",".quick-answer","#faq h2","#who-qualifies h2","#what-it-costs h2"]},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/og-camila.jpg","contentUrl":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/og-camila.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"Camila Araujo Mota, Brazilian immigration lawyer, OAB/CE 50.065"},"datePublished":"2026-07-01T00:00:00-03:00","dateModified":"2026-09-28T00:00:00-03:00"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Which Brazil Visa Do I Need?","item":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/which-brazil-visa-do-i-need"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Brazil Retirement Visa 2026: How to Retire in Brazil as a Foreign Pensioner","item":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa"}]},{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa#article","headline":"Brazil Retirement Visa 2026: How to Retire in Brazil as a Foreign Pensioner","description":"Brazil's retirement visa for foreign pensioners: the US$2,000 income test, consulate vs MigranteWeb, documents, costs and taxes. Reviewed by an OAB lawyer. USD 599.","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa#webpage"},"url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/og-camila.jpg","contentUrl":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/og-camila.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"Camila Araujo Mota, Brazilian immigration lawyer, OAB/CE 50.065"},"author":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#camila"},"reviewedBy":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#camila","name":"Camila Araujo Mota","jobTitle":"Immigration Lawyer, OAB/CE 50.065","url":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/camila-araujo-mota"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#organization"},"datePublished":"2026-07-01T00:00:00-03:00","dateModified":"2026-09-28T00:00:00-03:00","inLanguage":"en-US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#website"},"about":{"@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/#service"},"keywords":"brazil retirement visa, brazil retiree visa, brazil pensioner visa, retire in brazil, RN 40 2019, US pension brazil residency","articleSection":"Immigration Guide"},{"@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https://getbrazilvisa.com/brazil-retirement-visa#faq","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I use my US Social Security or military pension to qualify for a Brazil retirement visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. A US Social Security payment, a military or federal pension, VA benefits, or a private annuity all count as foreign-source retirement income for the retiree residency under CNIg Resolução Normativa RN 40/2019. What matters is that the income is stable, paid from outside Brazil, and transferable to you in Brazil. You document it with your official benefit or award letter plus bank statements showing the monthly deposits. Bank statements are never apostilled; we confirm whether your award letter needs an apostille. The current income test is roughly US$2,000 per month."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Should a retiree apply for the retirement visa or the digital nomad visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It depends on your income. Both visas are issued in the same VITEM XIV category, so they are told apart by their rules, not their name. The retirement visa (RN 40/2019, about US$2,000/month) is the clean fit if your only income is a pension or Social Security, because it is built for exactly that. The digital nomad visa (RN 45/2021, US$1,500/month) has a lower income bar but requires proof of remote work for a foreign employer or clients, so a pure pensioner normally uses the retirement route. A retiree who also does some remote work may qualify for either one. Send us your numbers and we will tell you which fits."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much income do I need for the Brazil retirement visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The retiree residency under RN 40/2019 asks for proof of a transferable retirement income of approximately US$2,000 per month received from abroad, paid from a pension, Social Security, an annuity, or a similar source. Because the exact figure can change, we confirm the current threshold for your specific case before you gather documents."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How long is the Brazil retirement visa valid, and can it become permanent?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The initial residency runs for roughly 2 years and is renewable, and it can later be converted to permanent residency. In practice this means you arrive on the retiree residency, keep it current, and then move to a permanent card, which removes the renewal cycle."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I have to pay Brazilian tax on my US pension?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Once you spend 183 days in Brazil within a 12-month window you generally become a Brazilian tax resident and are taxed on worldwide income, which can include your pension. There is no full US-Brazil income tax treaty, so relief usually comes through foreign tax credits rather than a treaty exemption. This area is genuinely fact-specific, so confirm your position with a cross-border tax professional before you relocate."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which Brazilian cities are best for retirees?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Florianopolis is popular for its beaches, safety, and quality of life. Fortaleza and Natal in the northeast offer warm weather year-round and a lower cost of living. All three have good private hospitals and established communities of foreign residents. Your ideal city depends on climate preference, budget, and how close you want to be to a major airport."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there a minimum age for the Brazil retirement visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. RN 40/2019 sets no age threshold. Eligibility turns on already receiving a retirement or survivor benefit, so a 50-year-old drawing a military pension qualifies on the same basis as a 70-year-old on Social Security. Someone who has stopped working but has no benefit does not qualify under this rule and should look at the digital nomad savings route or another category."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I bring my spouse or children on the retirement visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Dependants apply with the principal retiree, and RN 40/2019 raises the income test by about US$1,000 a month for each dependant. A single retiree needs about US$2,000; a retiree with a spouse needs about US$3,000. Each dependant receives their own residence card."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I apply for the retirement visa from inside Brazil?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, through MigranteWeb, after entering on a tourist entry. Once the request is protocolled you are in regular migratory status while it is analysed, so filing before your 90 days run out means you are not overstaying while the file is open. The alternative is to apply at a Brazilian consulate in your home country before you travel. Both routes review the same core documents."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is health insurance required for the retirement visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It depends on where you file. Consulates abroad generally ask for proof of health cover valid in Brazil for the stay; the MigranteWeb route inside Brazil does not require it. Whichever route you use, carrying an international policy for your first months until a local plan is in place is sensible, because private hospitals expect it and premiums rise with age."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How long do the apostilles stay valid?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"An apostille never expires. The 90-day window applies to the criminal background check itself, counted from its issue date. Order the background check and its apostille four to six weeks before the date you will actually file, not months before the flight, or you will pay for them twice."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What does GetBrazilVisa charge for the retirement visa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"USD 599, paid once when you sign, on either the consulate or the MigranteWeb route. It covers the eligibility read, the document list, review of every document before filing, the filing, replies to any request for more information, and the Federal Police registration step. Government fees (R$168.13 for the analysis and R$204.77 for the CRNM card on the in-country route, or the consular fee abroad), apostilles and translations are paid directly to those bodies."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can a retiree get permanent residency in Brazil?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. The retirement residency is renewable and can be converted to permanent residency, which removes the renewal cycle. In practice you arrive on the retiree residency, keep your CRNM current and continue to show the pension income, then move to the permanent card. Retirees who want permanent status from day one instead can look at the golden visa, which grants it immediately on the company-investment route."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does Brazil tax my US pension if I retire there?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Once you are a Brazilian tax resident, generally after 183 days in a 12-month period or from when you establish residence on a residence authorisation, Brazil can tax worldwide income including pensions at progressive rates up to 27.5%. The US and Brazil have no comprehensive income tax treaty, so relief usually comes through foreign tax credits rather than an exemption. Speak with a cross-border tax professional before you cross the 183-day line; we are immigration counsel, not tax advisers."}}]}]}
```