Brazil — Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)
US citizens can apply for Brazil's VITEM XIV digital-nomad visa to work remotely for a foreign employer — complete the online MRE application form, show foreign income of at least US$1,500/month (or US$18,000 in bank funds), and submit a remote-work declaration and contract.
Brazil's temporary visa and residence permit (VITEM XIV) for digital nomads — immigrants who work for foreign employers while staying in Brazil, with no formal employment registered in the country.
- Validity
- Initial one-year period of residence, which may be renewed at the Federal Police, while in Brazilian territory, for another one year.
- Entries
- Multiple entry while the residence is valid.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to one year initially, renewable once for another year (two years total).
When to start
Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.
Fill in the electronic visa application form at the MRE portal (formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br), upload your photo, signature and all mandatory documents, submit, print out and sign.
Prepare all three: a declaration attesting you can perform your work remotely via information and communication technologies; your employment or service contract with a foreign employer; and proof of means of subsistence of at least US$1,500/month or US$18,000 in bank funds.
Obtain an original criminal records extract (required for all applicants aged 18 or older).
Submit the printed application form and all original mandatory documents (the same ones uploaded online) to the Brazilian consulate per its submission rules; incomplete applications are returned.
Processing is mission-specific. One current official MRE mission publishes about 15 working days after a complete application reaches the embassy; confirm the service standard with the Brazilian consulate handling your case.
What you'll need
- Online visa application form — The electronic visa application form completed at formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br, with photo, signature and documents uploaded, then printed and signed. ✓ verified
- Original valid passport — An original passport valid for the entirety of the intended stay, with at least 2 unused (blank) pages. ✓ verified
- Recent photograph — One recent (3 months maximum) colour photograph, front view, white background, no shadows, ICAO standard, printed on photographic paper. ✓ verified
- Criminal records extract — An original criminal records extract, required for all applicants aged 18 or older. ✓ verified
- Remote-work declaration — A declaration from the applicant attesting to the ability to perform their professional activities remotely, through information and communication technologies. ✓ verified
- Foreign employment / service contract — A copy of the employment contract or contract for provision of services, or other documents proving the link with a foreign employer (issued in or translated to English/Portuguese). ✓ verified
- Proof of means of subsistence — Proof of means of subsistence from a foreign paying source of at least US$1,500/month, or available bank funds of US$18,000 (bank statements for the last 3 months or payment slips accepted). ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Complete the online MRE visa application form, then submit the original documents to the Brazilian consulate with jurisdiction over where you live (by mail or in person per that consulate's rules).
Fees
Gotchas to watch
- VITEM XIV is for working for foreign employers while in Brazil — with no formal employment registered in Brazil.
- Income test: at least US$1,500/month from a foreign paying source, OR available bank funds of US$18,000.
- The digital-nomad proof requires all three: the remote-work declaration, the foreign contract, and the means-of-subsistence proof.
- Residence is renewed at the Federal Police inside Brazil for a second year; the consulate issues the visa, not the renewal.
