Digital Nomad Visa Renewal

@rocade Thank you! I also have a doubt about the necessity of "apostilamento" for non-public documents like the job contract or the receipt/extract of the minimal bank funds required. I guess they don't need "apostilamento", only the translation, but I would like to confirm it

09/02/24    @rocade Thank you! I also have a doubt about the necessity of "apostilamento" for non-public documents like the job contract or the receipt/extract of the minimal bank funds required. I guess they don't need "apostilamento", only the translation, but I would like to confirm it
   

    -@bennyllero

To be accepted, all translations must be prepared by a Sworn Translator ("Tradutor Juramentado")  duly appointed by the Junta Comercial of a Brazilian state, so Sworn Translations never require apostilles, first because they're Brazilian documents, and second because the Sworn Translator's official identification appears on the Sworn Translation itself.

    09/02/24    @rocade Thank you! I also have a doubt about the necessity of "apostilamento" for non-public documents like the job contract or the receipt/extract of the minimal bank funds required. I guess they don't need "apostilamento", only the translation, but I would like to confirm it        -@bennyllero

To be accepted, all translations must be prepared by a Sworn Translator ("Tradutor Juramentado")  duly appointed by the Junta Comercial of a Brazilian state, so Sworn Translations never require apostilles, first because they're Brazilian documents, and second because the Sworn Translator's official identification appears on the Sworn Translation itself.
   

    -@abthree

Thank you, but my concern is not about the translated document needs Apostille, but the original document does. My guess is that the Apostille is only needed for public/governmental documents (birth certificate, criminal record in my country...etc), not for private documents like bank extracts or contracts. But I would like to confirm it from your experience, since I sent some documents to a translation company to get a budget and they answered the following:

Aproveitamos para informar que documentos para uso consular, acadêmico, jurídico ou governamental devem portar a obrigatória Apostila de Haia, exigida por todos os países signatários da Convenção de Haia. Ela só pode ser obtida no país de origem de emissão do documento. Seus 2 documentos (Extrato Bancário e Contrato ) não portam Apostilas de Haia, que devem ser apostas nos originais antes das traduções e, igualmente, nas traduções se os documentos forem para uso em qualquer dos países signatários da Convenção de Haia. Há casos em que o apostilamento é dispensado, tanto no original quanto na tradução, como é o caso, por exemplo, de uso comercial. É recomendado que se verifique com quem irá receber os documentos se há exigência ou dispensa do apostilamento, antes de serem feitas as traduções.

We would like to inform you that documents for consular, academic, legal or governmental use must bear the mandatory Hague Apostille, required by all countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. It can only be obtained in the country of origin of the document. Your two documents (Bank Statement and Contract) do not bear Hague Apostilles, which must be affixed to the originals before translations and, likewise, to the translations if the documents are to be used in any of the countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. There are cases in which the apostille is waived, both on the original and on the translation, as is the case, for example, for commercial use. It is recommended that you check with the person who will receive the documents whether the apostille is required or waived, before translations are made.

-@bennyllero

I don't have a personal experience with this - I submitted unapostilled documents without problems. But always included a backup with an apostille - like, it was not exactly the document needed, but a relevant one that could be apostilled so I attached it.

I definitely remember reading in one of these threads mentioning this subject. I wish it was easier to search so I could find more. This page has some posts about this: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 16&p=4

I think the question would be: Does your country have a simple/online apostille process for those private documents? Would it even be possible to obtain it? If not, I would just continue with the translations.

        09/02/24  Thank you, but my concern is not about the translated document needs Apostille, but the original document does. My guess is that the Apostille is only needed for public/governmental documents (birth certificate, criminal record in my country...etc), not for private documents like bank extracts or contracts.         -@bennyllero

I'd go with @rocade's advice on this, and try to submit your documents with Sworn Translations, but without apostilles.  I don't know what Spain's practice is, but in the United States, the federal government and the states will not apostille a private document, and I would guess that Spain is the same.  Individual states will apostille a notarized document, but the apostille in this case only applies to the notary's seal, not to the document itself. 

The translation company is certainly incorrect in saying that the Sworn Translation requires an apostille; the apostille on the original document (if there is one) requires a Sworn Translation, and that may be what they are trying to say.

@rocade @abthree I will go by that path, it's what seems more sensible for such documents. Thank you both for your insights!

09/03/24    @rocade @abthree I will go by that path, it's what seems more sensible for such documents. Thank you both for your insights!   

    -@bennyllero

Best of luck.  Please let us know how it goes.

    When it is Publicado, the procedure is the same both for first application and renewals. You will need to:
1) Pay the GRU
2) Get an appointment at your local Policia Federal Branch.
3) Collect the documents needed for Policia Federal and appear at your appointment.

Paying the GRU
First you need to create a boleto through this link: [link under review]

Fill in your information. Where it says "Codigo Receita STN", you should fill in the number 140120. When you do that, if this value appears below R$204,77,  everything should be correct. This will create a "boleto" for you. Save and print it.

Bring it to a bank (I do it at Banco do Brasil) and pay by cash. They will give you your payment proof and the boleto, keep both.

Appointment
https://servicos.dpf.gov.br/sismigra-in … oCie.seam?

Through this link, fill in your information and follow steps to create your appointment at your local Policia Federal. Save and print all confirmation pages. There should be one page that includes your appointment date & time Dados de Agendamento. And another longer one that has all your information and a part at the end where you will need to sign.

Documents you will need
They are listed in the link below and I will add my explanation through my experience in Sao Paulo, Lapa. Each place may vary in their flexibility.

https://www.gov.br/pf/pt-br/assuntos/im … l-da-uniao
CHECKLIST – REGISTRO COM BASE EM PUBLICAÇÃO EM DIÁRIO OFICIAL DA UNIÃO - DOU

The document list are basically these, in the order of that checklist
1) The online confirmation form above which you need to sign
2) A photo, just in case, they probably will not ask for it
3) Address form, it says "preferably with some proof of residence" but they don't ask for it in Sao Paulo. You need to fill in, print and sign this form: https://www.gov.br/pf/pt-br/assuntos/im … ontato.pdf
4) Your passport. They will probably ask for a copy of your ID page of your passport.
5) Birth Certificate with your parents full names, apostille & translated. For renewals: you don't need a birth certificate. (If you already have a CRNM and renewing it, or your parents full names are in your passport, you don't need this)
6) The DOU publication pages with your name. I would just print all the immigration DOU of that day because they ask for some "title" page in DOU apart from the page with your name is. Find here:
https://portaldeimigracao.mj.gov.br/pt/ … -uniao-dou
7) Payment proof of GRU

(Edited my answer from https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 81#5754703)

And on what happens when you go to your appointment at Policia Federal, I shared an experience here from last year which is still the same at SP/Lapa: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … =4#5741896-@rocade

LEARNFROM MY MISTAKE: When you schedule an appointment at your local Policia Federal Branch, be sure when selecting the Type of Registration, you select Registro após publicação no Diário Oficial da União. I was just sent home for putting the wrong registration type,

LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE #2: You have 30 days from the DOU publication page to book an appointment with the Policia Federal. I was fined R$640, R$20 for each day after that expiration date. Nonetheless, I was able to renew for a 2nd year! Thank you everyone

10/03/24 @leleflowah.  Glad that it worked out for you in the end.

Really appreciate the updates @leleflowah Sorry to hear about the fine and a warning for all of us to keep in mind. But enjoy another year!

I understand that they do have a separate fine for the “PF appointment in 30 days after DOU” rule, which is distinct from the overstay fine. Perhaps this explains a similar fine that someone else mentioned earlier.

Warning about your contracts: they asked me for a new contract, because they didn't consider that my contract was "undefined/permanent" because it didn't contain the word "indeterminado". Even though the terms stated a start date and the contract is mean to be finished voluntarily by either party. So, even if it's implicit that your contract is permanent, ensure that it's explained for dummies and that includes such word or similar, because they will be a pain in the ass if they can, making you pay again for an additional translation.

This is the bit they did not accept:

4. Terms. Independent Contractor’s engagement with Client under this Agreement shall commence on June 21, 2024. The Parties agree and acknowledge that this Agreement and Independent Contractor’s engagement with Client under this agreement shall terminate upon the voluntary withdrawal of either party, provided that such withdrawal is announced in accordance with the notice requirements set forth in the Termination Clause of this document.

Has anyone successfully renewed their Digital Nomad visa for third year?  Any information on approximately how long processing is taking through MigranteWeb for the renewal process from when the application is submitted (last year it was averaging 7-8 weeks)?

@californiainbrazil

Not my firsthand experience but there have been cases of DN renewal for a third year. I'm also very curious about the duration of the process these days, so if anyone has recent information it would be appreciated!

@bennyllero

Sorry to hear that, but thank you for informing us. That’s an important detail.

@leashy_kate

Hey!! maybe you will be able to help me. I m renewing my DN visa on migranteweb. I selected « residencia previa » but I don’t know which resolu

tion to select since there is not the resolucao 45.

thanks

@leashy_kate

Hey!! maybe you will be able to help me. I m renewing my DN visa on migranteweb. I selected « residencia previa » but I don’t know which resolu

tion to select since there is not the resolucao 45.

thanks

@leashy_kate

Hey!! maybe you will be able to help me. I m renewing my DN visa on migranteweb. I selected « residencia previa » but I don’t know which resolu

tion to select since there is not the resolucao 45.

thanks

Hey guys ! maybe you will be able to help me. I m renewing my DN visa on migranteweb. I selected « residencia previa » but I don’t know which resolution to select since there is not the resolucao 45.

thanks

@aliciacharles65 Hi, I think Residencia previa was for applications abroad

On MigranteWeb, you select Cadastrar Processo ->

1.1 Residencia

1.2 Renovacao de Autorizacao de Residencia

1.3 Resolucao 45/2021

Hey thanks a lot ! I found it !

do you think I can apply on migranteweb even if I m still in France ?

thanks again

@aliciacharles65 You're welcome

I don't think there's a way to apply for a renewal outside Brazil

My timeline from last year:Proposta de Deferimento+1 day, Deferido+1 day, Aguardando Publicacao+5 days, Publicado (First appointment available was in 2 days in SP)+2 days, I had my Policia Federal visit and got a Protocolo.What you need to do before Policia Federal visit: https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … =3#5774259For travelling:Protocolo document will be valid for 90 days from your Policia Federal visit. You can travel with the Protocolo if your CRNM card is still not ready for collection before you travel. Considering the recent delays with CRNM printing, it may not arrive in 2 months. Under normal circumstances you would have the card ready before your trip I guess. - @rocade

My timeline is being different. They took like 2 weeks for approval, +2/3 days for Deferido and more than 3 weeks already passed since then and the status didn't change yet. Maybe it's their way to compensate the 1-2 months other people had to wait for approval

@bennyllero

Happy to hear it's at least sorted out and Deferido! Thanks for sharing your timeline.

I want to repeat a tip, just in case you or someone else following the information here's not aware, because I wasn't in my first application:

On the main page of  Migranteweb, Ações de Processo, once it says Deferido and it'll stay that way and not update anymore. I had found it was published by checking the DOU daily. But clicking the magnifying glass 🔎 icon next to your application, that following page you can follow all the steps.

If it's not yet published, I would check if there's anything out of ordinary on that page. Normally it has to say something like "Waiting to be published" I guess.

You can renew these indefinitely, right? I read that somewhere and have already renewed mine once but would like to renew it again and keep living here for another year (at least).

Another question, last time it took 3 months for them to approve it and then I had to wait 2-3 weeks for the appointment so they fined me for doing that past the expiration - even though it was due to their delays. I'd like to avoid that this time and right now I'm about 6 months out from my current one expiring. Is that too early to start the process? What's the soonest you can file for a renewal?

@sovelong

I just reapplied and it took them two weeks to review the application.  They did request additional documents again, but this two weeks for the initial review is compared to seven weeks last year.  It is a balance of not applying too early as the year starts on the renewal date, not a year from the expiration of the prior visa.

@sovelong I would get @abthree to answer that. I am not sure that renewing it indefinitely is true. I spent at least 1year getting my Brazilian Permanent Residency. I am not sure that just renewing a VISA would have allowed me the same privilege, even for a shorter time.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

11/19/24 You can renew these indefinitely, right? I read that somewhere and have already renewed mine once but would like to renew it again and keep living here for another year (at least). - @sovelong

The Justice Ministry's Rapid Guide for Residence Permit as a Digital Nomad was just updated last month -- https://portaldeimigracao.mj.gov.br/pt/ … ;id=401597

and says in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French only that it can be renewed, with no stated limit.  That would lead me to believe that multiple renewals are possible, at the discretion of the Polícia Federal.

I would second @Californiainbrazil's suggestion to not put the renewal request off to the last minute, to leave time to deal with possible complications.

Well, that's good news! And definitely - part of the reason I want to potentially go ahead and start the renewal process. Do you know if it is actually possible to start the renewal process 6 moths before the current one expires?

Unfortunately there is still a lot of doubt about whether the Digital Nomad visa can only be renewed once or multiple times. It may even be that the Policia Federal in different regions interpret the law differently.

The latest advice is that it "grants residence for 1 year, which may be renewable". To me, this implies that it could be refused, it could be renewed once for just for the same period year, or it could be renewed more than once!

Probably we will need to wait until we receive anecdotal stories or actual reports about 3rd year applicants to be sure...

@abthree great link!

I still believe there has never been anything in the law (45/2021) that stated you can only apply for DN Residence renewal once or any comments from "officials" that gave this impression and it was just some misinterpretation in expat circles and blogs (like us) According to Diario Oficial de Uniao - where all application results are published, there have been cases of successful renewal twice (as in, 3rd year).

@sovelong About your actual question: When I had asked Policia Federal in person they had advised "3 months before" as a general rule. In the forum there was someone who applied 4 months before and they didn't have a problem about timing. So it means they'll accept your application probably.

However, let's say it is approved in two months. Then you will have lost 4 months from your existing residence permit if you apply 6 months before as the new card will only extend from the date it was approved as @californiainbrazil explained.

@californiainbrazil That's awesome by the way thanks for sharing. Years later now they're back to the official duration of "max 1 month" review period then.

@rocade

The problem is that the law states that it is designed to be a temporary visa, granted for up to one year, and renewable for an equal period. Does this mean for one more year, or many renewals of one year each? It does not state that it is renewable indefinitely, for example, so long as the conditions are met... This is the grey area.

It would be great to hear directly from someone has has had 2 or more renewals, (which we have not yet had), but my concern is that this renewal policy is up for interpretation, and some may be disappointed if they are planning a longer term stay in Brazil as we have previous instances of different PFs making differing decisions.

@rocade

Oof, I don't want to lose months - and definitely not that many. So sounds better to wait until 2 months before expiration to start the process. Would be nice if I could do it earlier because I'm a bit anxious since there's some uncertainty around this renewal and they took so long last time.

@Peter Itamaraca I get what you mean, after all any  application is up to their interpretation. Afaik no other type of residency neither states that it's "renewable indefinitely". You just renew temporary visas each year as you keep your condition, like students.

Some types of residencies state that people can apply for permanent residence after a while like family and work, maybe that's what people mistake it for, but I guess none of us expects that for a "nomad" visa. Finally I agree, people should never make very long term plans counting on these, they could even revoke the law after a few years.

@sovelong Yeah losing months is a bit annoying, maybe you can just follow the latest review periods here and plan accordingly as the time approaches.

Well, I am a Brazilian Permanent Resident, but I still enjoy this conversation. My suggestion is just to have a "GO BAG" handy in case it does not renew, and you have to leave the country.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@roddiesho You're right. I always count on the fact that if something goes wrong, as your residency does not count towards a tourist stay, I can leave and soon come back for a shorter stay to pick up the rest of the bags

@rocade It's funny, once you get into your 60's almost everything reminds you of a story from your life. In this case I left Brazil to get my FBI Background check and Fingerprints, so I could get a Permanent Visa. I had two days or more left on my VISA, but I was physically kept from returning by the Customs Agent. Anyway, after several hours of conversation with ALL my documents that I had with me and my Brazilian wife's help on the phone from our home in Brazil, they finally connected with a very high-ranking person in Brasilia on Easter Weekend who told them to let me back in the country.

My takeaway has always been that it DOES NOT matter what your legal adviser, friend etc. tells you...It is up to the interpretation of the 300lb., 6ft. tall Customs Agent who is blocking your path and will not let you back.

OH! and I am in the middle of creating my YouTube Channel. It took me close to a YEAR and R$7,250 in OVERDUE fines to be able to return to the USA to get my gear and props for my channel and come back to BRAZIL.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

Well, I'll be trying to extend it again around March/April so I'll double back here to tell you how all how it goes.

I think even if that doesn't work out, it's possible to just leave Brazil and re-enter on a tourist visa for 90 days which is extendable for another 90 days after that?

Also curious if I left Brazil for 6 months - 1 year if it's possible to apply for the DN visa again in the future. If I didn't get it this next time, I'd initially plan to come back on a normal tourist visa then maybe get a student visa via a language class. I've also read that it's possible to get the retirement visa (no actual age requirement) if you have enough consistent income meeting their minimum but I'm guessing that has to be from pension.

It is up to the interpretation of the 300lb., 6ft. tall Customs Agent who is blocking your path and will not let you back.Roddie in Retirement🕵 - @roddiesho

Sounds like you ran into Anderson Leme @ GRU.......KKKKKKKK........if you have seen any episode of "Aeroporto Alerta" on Brasilian TV or YouTube,  you'd know who I am talking about.

@sovelong Thanks for future updates,

From what we know, time as a resident doesn't count toward your tourist stay indeed, so yeah, you can re-enter.

And hope you won't need to but applying for a "fresh" DN permit can be an option.

Fyi about student visas, I'd checked long time ago and thought it wasn't worth the effort (for me) - Student residence permit is indeed for committing to that purpose, with an intensive and probably expensive course at an institution.

I was approved for my Digital Nomad Visa renewal and the announcement was published in the DOU.  Unfortunately, there are no appointments with the Policia Federal available in Sao Paulo, where I live, in the next 30 days, but I found one in Rio de Janeiro.  I assume there is not an issue since this is federal, but wanted to check if anyone had experience with having a similar appointment to register for the renewal and get the CRNM fingerprints and photo in a Polica Federal office other than their home state.