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Federal Police registration, the migration card (CRNM) and migration fines

Last verified: 2026-10-27 · Status: Stable

Every temporary visa or residence holder must register with the Federal Police: within 90 days of entry on a temporary visa, or within 30 days of publication when residence is granted in Brazil. Registration issues the National Migration Registry number and card (CRNM) for R$204.77; an indefinite term card is valid for 9 years, and for life from age 60. Missing deadlines, overstaying and avoiding border control are fined from R$100 to R$10,000 for individuals and R$1,000 to R$1,000,000 for companies per infraction.

USD figures use the Banco Central do Brasil PTAX selling rate of R$5.3346 per US dollar for 27 October 2026. The rate moved sharply in late October 2026 (R$5.0377 on 23 October, R$5.5007 on 26 October), so treat conversions as orientation only.

Key facts

Deadline to register after entry on a temporary visa	90 daysDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 64, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Deadline to register after residence is granted in Brazil	30 daysDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 66, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Fee for the migration card (CRNM)	204.77 BRLSTN revenue code 140120, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
Validity of an indefinite term CRNM	9 yearsDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 74, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Minimum migration fine, individual	100 BRLLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 108, V, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Maximum migration fine per infraction, individual	10000 BRLLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 108, V, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Minimum migration fine, legal entity	1000 BRLLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 108, VI, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Maximum migration fine per infraction, legal entity	1000000 BRLLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 108, VI, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Deadline to defend against a migration infraction notice	10 daysDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 309 § 4, as of 2017-11-20 · in force

The rule

1. A temporary visa holder must request registration within 90 days of entering Brazil; a domestic employee within 30 days, with proof of the work card entry and eSocial registration. A person granted residence in Brazil must request registration within 30 days of publication of the approval. Until the registration deadline ends, the travel document with a valid visa proves identity and regular stay.
Cost to do it: Migration card fee R$204.77 (about US$38.39), STN revenue code 140120.
Example: Card fee R$204.77. / About US$38.39.Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 64, 65 and 66, 2017-11-20 official text · verified 2026-10-27

2. Registration is requested at a Federal Police unit that serves immigrants: any unit for temporary visa holders and seafarers, and the unit for the place of domicile for residence granted in Brazil on other grounds. People with disabilities, those aged 60 or over, pregnant or nursing women, people with infants and people with obesity may use the unit nearest their home. The immigrant must give a physical address and keep it updated, and must answer notices within 30 days or the request is closed.Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 67, 70 and 72 § 4, 2017-11-20 official text · verified 2026-10-27

3. The CRNM shows the residence term. For a temporary visa holder the term runs from the first entry after the visa, and for residence granted in Brazil from the registration request. A temporary card expires with the residence. An indefinite term card is valid for 9 years from registration, and has no expiry if the holder turns 60 by the expiry date or is a person with disability.Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 73 and 74, 2017-11-20 official text · verified 2026-10-27

4. Applying for residence in Brazil costs the residence processing fee plus the card fee; registering a visa granted abroad costs only the card fee. The Federal Police service is fully digital to file, followed by an in person appointment.
Cost to do it: R$168.13 (code 140066) plus R$204.77 (code 140120) = R$372.90, about US$69.90.
Example: R$372.90 when applying in Brazil. / About US$69.90.gov.br service pages of the Federal Police (fee schedule), Residence authorization and CRNM service pages, costs section, 2026-10-27 official text · verified 2026-10-27

5. Infractions include entering without authorization (deportation if the person does not leave or regularize), staying after the migration document expires (fine per day of excess and deportation), failing to register within 90 days of entry (fine), failing to register within 30 days of an in country approval (fine per day of delay), transporting undocumented persons (fine per person, for carriers) and evading border control (fine).Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017; Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Lei nº 13.445 art. 109; Decreto nº 9.199 art. 307, 2017-05-24 official text · verified 2026-10-27

6. Fines consider the case, the offender's economic condition, repeat offending and gravity, with a minimum of R$100 and a maximum of R$10,000 for individuals, and a minimum of R$1,000 and a maximum of R$1,000,000 per infraction for legal entities; simultaneous infractions add up. Applying for a new residence after the previous one expired triggers the overstay sanction.
Cost to do it: Individuals R$100 to R$10,000 (about US$18.75 to US$1,874.55); companies R$1,000 to R$1,000,000 (about US$187.46 to US$187,455.48).Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017, Lei nº 13.445 arts. 31 § 3, 107 § 1 and 108, 2017-05-24 official text · verified 2026-10-27

7. Fines are imposed by a Federal Police infraction notice; the person has 10 days to defend, may appeal within 10 days of the published decision, and must pay within 30 days of the final decision, after which the debt goes to the National Treasury Attorney for collection. Vulnerable and low income migrants are exempt from fees and fines.Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 309 and 312 § 8, 2017-11-20 official text · verified 2026-10-27

Worked example

An engineer enters on a work visa on 1 March and books the Federal Police appointment for 15 June, past the 90 day limit. The late registration is an infraction fined between R$100 and R$10,000 (about US$18.75 to US$1,874.55), on top of the R$204.77 card fee. Booking the appointment in the first weeks avoids it.

Step by step

1. On arrival, fill in the Federal Police online form, pay the card fee (and the processing fee if applying in Brazil) and book the appointment.
2. Attend in person with the passport, visa or approval publication and documents; give a physical address.
3. Keep the address current and watch for electronic notices (30 days to respond).
4. Note the card expiry; renew residence before it ends.
5. If fined, defend within 10 days and appeal within 10 days of the decision.

Common traps

Counting from the wrong date. The 90 days run from entry, and the 30 days from publication of an in country approval (arts. 64 and 66).
Overstaying while a new application is pending. A new application after expiry triggers the overstay sanction (Lei nº 13.445 art. 31 § 3).
Ignoring electronic notices. Silence for 30 days closes the request (art. 72 § 4).

Sources

← Family reunion: bringing a spouse, children and other relativesRenewing residence, moving to an indefinite term, and naturalization →