All immigrants are required to hold a Brazilian visa before entering the country.
Immigration is an extensive category of law, and regulations and policy vary from one country to another. Brazil, like the United States, has strict and in-depth immigration procedures dependent on the type of visa being used to enter the country. All immigrants to Brazil must enter on a valid visa and all permanent immigrants must register with the Federal Police after entering.
Entering Brazil
All persons from visa-required countries entering Brazil for temporary or permanent stay must have a visa. All Americans are required to present a visa at the port of entry in Brazil; either a tourist, work, student or other type of nonimmigrant or immigrant visa obtained from one of the nine Brazilian consulate generals in the U.S. Visitors can stay in Brazil on a tourist visa for 90 days at a time; if they wish to stay longer, they may obtain a 90-day extension with the Federal Police before the initial 90 days expires.
Work Visas
The Brazilian Ministry of Labor must approve a work visa petition before the Brazilian consulate gender processes the visa application. The employer or employing company in Brazil applies in person for the certificate on behalf of their foreign employee. The Ministry then notifies the consulate and the visa application is processed. The applicant must complete an online application form and submit an FBI criminal record clearance, passport, $100 application fee and two passport style photographs. The documents and forms can be submitted at any time, however the visa will not be considered or processed until approval from the Ministry of Labor is secured.
Marriage in the U.S.
Individuals who are married to Brazilian citizens inside of the U.S. may enter Brazil on a family reunion visa. The application requires an in-person appearance at the Brazilian consulate general holding jurisdiction over the state where the marriage took place--where the license was issued--and requires certified copies of the marriage certificate, applicant's passport, FBI criminal record clearance, Brazilian spouse's passport or Brazilian identification card, the application fee, and affidavit of support. After the visa holder enters Brazil, he must register with the Federal Police within thirty days of entering in order to receive a permanent visa.
Marriage in Brazil
Individuals who marry a Brazilian citizen within Brazil while on a nonimmigrant visa such as a tourist or a student visa also qualify for a permanent visa. All legal marriages in Brazil take place at the civil registry office known as a Cartorio or with a civil registry officer present at the wedding ceremony. The immigrant's visa (tourist, student or exchange) has to be valid at the time of the marriage or the visa holder is considered out of status and inelligible for marriage. The required documents for marriage vary by region and state, therefore it is crucial to obtain the document lists and procedures from the applicant's specific Cartorio well in advance of the marriage appointment. After the Brazilian marriage certificate is obtained, the alien spouse applies for a permanent visa with the Federal Police. The Police issue a temporary protocol number (temporary visa) in the applicant's passport until the police make a surprise visit to the immigrant's home. The police visit is unannounced and can take place anywhere between six months to two years after the visa application.
Overstay
Staying in any country past the permitted time frame stated on the visa places the offender in the category of illegal immigrant. In Brazil, visa overstayers face serious fines as well as deportation if caught. Those who overstay and leave on their own accord still face penalties at the airport. At any port of entry, an expired visa holder is required to pay a fine of R$8 (Brazilian real) for every day hat has passed since the date of expiration.
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