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Renewing residence, moving to an indefinite term, and naturalization

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

Most work, research and similar residences start at up to 2 years. The Ministry that granted them can then renew for up to 2 more years or switch to an indefinite term, usually deciding within 30 days of a complete file. Residence is lost if its basis ends, if another basis is obtained, or after more than 2 years abroad without justification. Ordinary naturalization requires 4 years of residence and Portuguese, reduced to 1 year for those with a Brazilian child or spouse, relevant service to Brazil or notable professional, scientific or artistic capacity.

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

Maximum renewal of an initial fixed term residence	2 yearsDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 142 § 3, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Decision deadline for renewal or indefinite conversion	30 daysRN CNIg nº 30/2018 art. 1 § 1, as of 2018-06-12 · in force
Absence that causes loss of residence without justification	2 yearsDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 135, III, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Residence required for ordinary naturalization	4 yearsLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 65, II, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Reduced residence for naturalization	1 yearsLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 66, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Uninterrupted residence for extraordinary naturalization	15 yearsLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 67, as of 2017-05-24 · in force

The rule

1. Residence for research and teaching, humanitarian reception, work, religious activity, volunteer service, relevant economic, social, scientific, technological or cultural activity, and a proven job offer may be granted initially for up to 2 years. After that, on the immigrant's request, the granting body may renew for up to 2 years or change the residence to an indefinite term.Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 art. 142 §§ 2 and 3, 2017-11-20 official text · verified 2026-10-27

2. Renewal or indefinite conversion is filed with the form, power of attorney, appointment of the legal representative, a copy of the CRNM, a no conviction declaration and the annex for the specific route (for employees: new contract, full work card and previous contract, plus the fee for an indefinite term). The Ministry decides within 30 days of a complete file, extendable once with reasons.
Cost to do it: Processing fee R$168.13 (about US$31.52) for the indefinite term, plus R$204.77 for the new card (about US$38.39).Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 30 of 12 June 2018 (DOU of 25 July 2018), as amended by Resoluções Normativas nº 32/2018 and 41/2019, RN nº 30 art. 1 and § 1; Annexes II and III, 2018-06-12 official text · verified 2026-10-27

3. Residence is lost when its basis ends, when residence is obtained on another basis, or after absence from Brazil of more than 2 years without justification. The immigrant must tell the Federal Police whenever the conditions behind the residence end, and may apply on another basis. Fraud or concealment leads to loss or cancellation after an administrative process with the right of defense.Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017; Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 art. 135; Lei nº 13.445 art. 33, 2017-11-20 official text · verified 2026-10-27

4. Ordinary naturalization requires civil capacity, residence in Brazil for at least 4 years, the ability to communicate in Portuguese considering the applicant's conditions, and no criminal conviction or rehabilitation. The 4 years drop to at least 1 year for an applicant with a Brazilian child, with a Brazilian spouse or partner not legally or de facto separated, who rendered or can render relevant service to Brazil, or who stands out for professional, scientific or artistic capacity.Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017, Lei nº 13.445 arts. 64, 65 and 66, 2017-05-24 official text · verified 2026-10-27

5. Extraordinary naturalization is granted to a person of any nationality settled in Brazil for more than 15 uninterrupted years without criminal conviction who applies. Provisional naturalization may be granted to a child who settled in Brazil before age 10, convertible to definitive if requested within 2 years after reaching majority. A naturalized person must register with the Electoral Justice within 1 year.Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017, Lei nº 13.445 arts. 67, 70 and 72, 2017-05-24 official text · verified 2026-10-27

Worked example

An employee arrives in January 2027 on a 2 year RN 2 residence. Late in 2028 the employer signs an indefinite term CLT contract and files the conversion with R$168.13 (about US$31.52); the Ministry should decide within 30 days of a complete file, and the new card costs R$204.77. If the employee marries a Brazilian, naturalization can be sought after 1 year of residence instead of 4.

Step by step

1. Diary the residence end date from the CRNM and start renewal well before it.
2. For employees, sign the new contract (fixed term for renewal, indefinite for the indefinite term).
3. File on MigranteWeb with the RN 30 annex documents and fee.
4. After the decision, update the registration and card with the Federal Police.
5. For naturalization, track years of residence, keep proof of Portuguese and clean records, and register with the Electoral Justice within 1 year of naturalization.

Common traps

Letting the residence expire first. A new application after expiry triggers the overstay sanction (Lei nº 13.445 art. 31 § 3).
Long stints abroad. More than 2 years away without justification ends residence (Decreto nº 9.199 art. 135, III).
Not reporting a lost basis. If the job or investment ends, the immigrant must tell the Federal Police (art. 135 § 1).

Sources

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