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Retiree visa and residence

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

A foreign retiree or survivor's pension recipient who can transfer at least US$2,000 a month to Brazil gets a temporary visa or residence for up to 2 years, then renewal or an indefinite term on proof that the pension and transfer capacity continue. Other regular income may top up a smaller pension. It suits founders and executives who retire in Brazil or relatives of staff.

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

Minimum monthly pension transfer	2000 USDRN CNIg nº 40/2019 art. 1, as of 2019-10-02 · in force
Initial retiree residence	2 yearsRN CNIg nº 40/2019 arts. 3 and 4, as of 2019-10-02 · in force

The rule

1. A temporary visa may be granted to an immigrant who is retired or receives a survivor's pension and proves a monthly transfer to Brazil in foreign currency of at least US$2,000.
Example: US$2,000 a month is about R$10,669.20 at PTAX R$5.3346. / US$2,000 a month.Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 40 of 2 October 2019 (DOU of 27 November 2019), RN nº 40 art. 1, 2019-10-02 official text · verified 2026-10-27

2. At the consulate the applicant presents a valid travel document, vaccination certificate where Anvisa requires it, health insurance valid in Brazil, the paid consular fee, the visa form, proof of transport and a criminal record certificate, plus proof of retirement and capacity to transfer at least US$2,000 a month, or a survivor's pension of at least that amount, or other regular income to complete it. The initial residence is up to 2 years.Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 40 of 2 October 2019, RN nº 40 arts. 2 and 3, 2019-10-02 official text · verified 2026-10-27

3. A retiree already in Brazil may apply to the Ministry of Justice with the general documents of RN nº 1 (form, identity, parentage, fee, criminal records and declaration) and the income proof; the initial residence is up to 2 years.
Cost to do it: Processing fee R$168.13 (about US$31.52) plus R$204.77 card (about US$38.39).Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 40 of 2 October 2019, RN nº 40 art. 4, 2019-10-02 official text · verified 2026-10-27

4. Renewal, or change to an indefinite term, requires proof that the person is still retired or a pension recipient able to transfer at least US$2,000 a month, with other regular income to complete it if needed; the indefinite term also requires the processing fee.Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 30 of 12 June 2018, Annexes XXVII and XXVIII added by Resolução Normativa nº 41 of 2 October 2019 (DOU of 3 January 2020), RN nº 30 Annexes XXVII and XXVIII, 2019-10-02 official text · verified 2026-10-27

Worked example

A retired executive with a US$1,600 pension and US$500 a month of rental income abroad can combine both to reach US$2,100 (about R$11,202.66), above the US$2,000 floor, since other regular income may complete the amount (RN 40 art. 3, III).

Step by step

1. Gather pension statements and proof of the other income.
2. Buy health insurance valid in Brazil and get criminal records.
3. Apply at the consulate, or in Brazil with the processing fee.
4. Register with the Federal Police within 90 days of entry (30 days after approval in Brazil).
5. Before the 2 years end, request renewal or the indefinite term with updated proof.

Common traps

The test is a monthly transfer to Brazil in foreign currency, so plan the bank route for the pension before applying (RN 40 arts. 1 and 3).
Health insurance is mandatory at the consulate (RN 40 art. 2, III).

Sources

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