More and more foreigners are choosing to live in Brazil for a while as they keep working remotely for companies and clients outside the country. For this purpose, the Brazilian Government created the temporary digital nomad visa (VITEM XIV).
The visa allows you to reside legally in Brazil for up to 1 year, renewable for an equal period. In practice, almost every question we receive comes down to two things: how much you need to earn, and where that income can come from.
In this article, we explain both points in detail. For an overview of the documents required for the visa, also read our post Digital Nomad: what you need to apply for the VITEM XIV visa.
What is the minimum income required?
Resolution No. 45 requires applicants to prove they can support themselves in one of two ways:
- Monthly income of at least US$ 1,500.00, paid by a foreign source; or
- Available bank balance of at least US$ 18,000.00.
Meeting just one of the two criteria is enough. Applicants with a fixed salary or fixed fees usually rely on the first. Those with variable income, or who recently changed jobs, can rely on the second.
A few practical precautions make a difference in how your application is reviewed:
- Your income must be recurring. A single large payment does not show monthly means of support. Ideally, submit statements from several consecutive months showing the deposits.
- Income in other currencies is accepted, as long as the converted amount reaches the minimum in U.S. dollars. Leave a safety margin, since exchange rate swings can push your income below the threshold.
- The balance must be available and in your name. Third-party accounts or investments that are hard to redeem often lead the Consulate to request additional documents.
- Dependents: the resolution does not set an additional amount per dependent. Even so, it is wise to show income compatible with supporting your entire family.
Why must your income come from a foreign source?
This is the point that leads to the most denials. The resolution defines a digital nomad as an immigrant who performs their work in Brazil, remotely and using technology, for a foreign employer.
The rule itself makes clear who is left out: anyone who works, with or without a formal employment relationship, for an employer in Brazil is not considered a digital nomad. In practice, this means that:
- you cannot be hired by a Brazilian company, either as an employee or as a contractor;
- you cannot serve clients in Brazil, even remotely or occasionally;
- all income used to meet the requirement must be paid by an individual or company based abroad.
As a general rule, what matters is who pays you, not where the money is deposited. Being paid by an American company into a Brazilian bank account does not change the source of the income. Likewise, being paid by a Brazilian company into an account abroad does not make that income foreign.
Situations that often raise questions
- Freelancers with clients both in Brazil and abroad. A single Brazilian client is enough for the activity to no longer qualify as digital nomad work. In that case, you need to consider another type of visa or restructure your client base before applying.
- Employees of a foreign company with a branch in Brazil. The employment relationship and payment must remain with the company abroad. If your work becomes subordinate to the Brazilian operation, you no longer qualify as a digital nomad.
- Partners in a foreign company. Owner’s draws or profit distributions can count as income, as long as the company is based outside Brazil, you keep working remotely for it, and the payments are well documented.
- Retirees and people living on passive income. Without remote work activity, the right path is usually a different one: the retirement visa, which requires monthly passive income above US$ 2,000.
How we can help
Every profile proves income in a different way. A document that does not clearly show the link to a foreign source can lead to a denial and unnecessary back-and-forth with the Consulate.
We are a team of attorneys who specialize in Brazilian immigration law. Our service is 100% remote, with international payment via PayPal. You can choose between two consulting options:
Express Consulting
You fill out a single form, pay a flat fee, and receive by email a report prepared by our attorneys. It includes a review of your profile, the visa recommended for your case, your individual document checklist, the competent consular post, and the next steps. Ideal for those whose situation is clear-cut and who want peace of mind before putting their application together.
Click here to hire Express Consulting.
Consulting with a Video Call
Includes everything in Express Consulting plus a video call with one of our attorneys, with an interpreter in English, Spanish, or French if you need one. Recommended for those with income from several sources, business partners, or anyone unsure whether they qualify as a digital nomad.
Click here to schedule your Consulting with a Video Call.
If you are a foreigner who wants to live in Brazil while working remotely for clients or employers abroad, count on us to plan your visa with confidence.