CPF for foreigners

@angelicaody

Yes.  I was able to apply and get a CPF on a tourist visa.  I got this from the San Francisco Consulate.

I would recommend finding the web site of the Brazil consulate near you and then find out how to apply.

It was really easy to apply.  The harder part was to get an appointment to the consulate.

Good luck.

I think it can be done at the receipa federal site. After a quick google search, I have found this : https://servicos.receita.fazenda.gov.br … efault.asp

@angelicaody

Yes, I applied for the CPF through a lawyer in Brazil and was able to obtain the CPF much before I applied for any type of Visa category for Brazil or visited Brazil physically. As I remember a copy of passport or a photo was required. Within a month or two it was issued to me.

I did this exact thing in September. I was in Brazil on my tourist visa, went to the local post to pay the fee, stopped by my local Receita Federal to fill out a paper, and I had my CPF via email in about 3 business days. Quick and easy.

My experience was similar to @kellermanjm, however instead of them mailing me a CPF card, I received it online. Although I rarely have to show it (usually just punching in the number on a terminal) I decided to go to a loja de papel to print out and laminate my own CPF card. The store employee acted as though this was a normal routine.

Thank you all. After getting your CPF issued, were any of you able to open a bank account as well?

Yes and No. My Brazilian wife knows everyone, including the manager of a local Banco Do Brazil. My wife connected me to her account, and I was able to open my own account, HOWEVER, money that my younger brother was wiring me could not go thru and sat at the door, so to speak. You need to have resident status etc. in Brazil ( @abthree ) can tell you the details, so yes, I had a CPF, and I was able to open an account, but not really legitimately use it.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

Thank you all. After getting your CPF issued, were any of you able to open a bank account as well? - @angelicaody

@angelicaody - this question comes up quite frequently.  In summary, you cannot open a walk-in bank account (Caixa, Satander, Bradesco, etc...) with a visitor's visa.  You need a minimum permanent visa (CRNM, Retirement visa, etc...) in order to open a bank account.  There could be exceptions with fin-techs and online banks  but I only deal with walk-in banks...

Here is a thread that kinda shows the back and forth on the issue... https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1093487

Good luck.