Retirement Visa for Brazil

Hello Abthree,

Thank you for sharing  . I am sticking the topic for the time being so that members get to see this post..

Cheers,
Bhavna

Thanks, Bhavna!

VISA TYPE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM -

This may already be posted on some Brazilian consulates' sites, but it hasn't yet shown up on the Chicago consulate's site.  But I just got a response from a Chicago-based officer.  The visa "type" for the retiree visa announced above is:

VITEM XIV para Aposentado ou Beneficiário de Pensão. 

The officer who responded to my inquiry also kindly provided me with a list of necessary documents to submit -- pretty much the usual ones:

signed copy of the online application form
photo
valid passport
criminal background check (emitido pelo Departamento de Polícia local)***
proof of health insurance valid in Brazil
proof of regular monthly income equivalent to US$2,000
proof of retiree status
payment of cost of visa (US Postal money order only)
Prepaid return envelope (USPS only)

The officer wrote that it's all done by mail, no personal appointments, and that the processing time is up to two weeks.

...........................................
*** Polícia LOCAL, but wouldn't you recommend the FBI report?  Or maybe get a local report as well?  His list didn't day anything about the 90-day limit, but I'll play it safe.


I will continue following the consulate's website, but my intention is to submit my application soon after I get my Social Security statement of benefits for 2021.  I'm aiming for a departure date of mid-April or so, looking for weather conducive to shipping my dog in cargo during the "shoulder" seasons of North and South America.

I'd appreciate hearing from any of you who have used agents or depachantes who have dealt with the Chicago consulate.  I've been in contact with Brazilian offices who promise to refer me to their counterparts in/near Chicago, but those have not responded.  Also, do you have any recommended pet transfer services?  Apparently United requires their use for international flights.  It's unclear whether American and Delta also do. They're still on my to-call list.

Thanks, all!

New question to you with your knowledge and experience regarding visa applications:

How recently do the required documents need to be issued / apostilled?  I know the criminal background check has a 90-day limit. What about the birth certificate?  Can I go ahead and order that, even if I don't plan to submit my visa app until November? 

Are there other documents that you would suggest I gather, even if they aren't specifically requested?  (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, current driver's license...)

And do the time limits apply to the application to the consulate as well as for presentation to immigration officers upon entry and also to the federal police?  How many copies should I request for the various offices I may need them for?  All should be apostilled? 

Planning a VISIT in November (fingers crossed) as a tourist, to check out housing arrangements for an anticipated move in April. 

Thank you!

Yes get all documents that need translation and/or apostilled.  No time limit.

Yes, those are good documents to have, and except for the background check, don't have a time limit.

Hold any documents not on the required list in reserve:   don't volunteer them, but be ready to present them if requested.   Presenting unfamiliar, unrequested documents has the possibility of generating additional questions,  which you want to avoid.

Thanks once more.  Good point about volunteering information not specifically requested. Excellent reminder.  :-)

Also do copy of all your passport pages. They will require this also there will be a couple of fees to pay. You many be able to go to a local grocery store pay center to get this done. Normally people go to the bank. We did this went to a local store was very quick and the Federal Police acceptance this.

Thanks. Does the copy of the full passport have to be "official" in any way?  Can I make a copy on my personal printer/copier?

A copy was accepted for me with the original. Now you may need the information pages, translated.
Check the Consulate's website.

Viajanete wrote:

Thanks. Does the copy of the full passport have to be "official" in any way?  Can I make a copy on my personal printer/copier?

Ordinarily, a passport stands alone for all purposes and does  not need to be authenticated.  Sometimes a PF office may be unaware of that, though.

Yes, you can make copies personally.   In fact, I scanned my passport, put the page images into a Word document, and printed it off when I needed a passport copy.  If you happen to draw a PF or a Customs officer who insists on authentication and can't be talked out of it, you can have the copy you made authenticated at a cartório; they don't have to make the copy.

I think I "get it" that the retiree visa is a temporary visa, initially issued for up to two years, and that it can be renewed.  (Correct me if I'm wrong!)  Can it be renewed indefinitely, or, at some point, does one have to apply for a permanent visa? 

-Janet

I had my FBI background check in about 5-minutes. It took longer to fill out the online form and to pay the fee than to get the report, (last month).  The PF is currently waving the 90-day expiration because of COVID

Viajanete wrote:

I think I "get it" that the retiree visa is a temporary visa, initially issued for up to two years, and that it can be renewed.  (Correct me if I'm wrong!)  Can it be renewed indefinitely, or, at some point, does one have to apply for a permanent visa? 

-Janet

We don't know yet:  this version of the retiree visa is so new, that it hasn't been around long enough to know what will happen after the end of  two-year initial term.

When VIPER existed, there was a VIPER for retirees, that functioned like the VIPER for family reunion, with the exception that employment wasn't permitted.  It was eliminated (but not replaced, perhaps by oversight) with all other VIPERs in the 2017 rewrite of the migration laws, and only restored last year. 

It's logical to assume that eventually retirees, especially those over 60, will be issued CRNMs with the validity date shown as "INDETERMINADA", not requiring further renewals; this will return them to the same status they held prior to November 2017.  However, Brazil being Brazil, that probably won't happen until 2021 or 2022, when somebody at the Justice Ministry asks, "Hey, why are we re-processing all of these residency requests that we just processed and approved two years ago?", and decides that that's a problem.

I find myself confused, I have not, to the best of my knowledge ever seen a category for a "Retirement" visa.  Here is a current list of visa types, with a link to the US Consulate below where this came from: 

Temporary Visa: granted to foreigners in the following situations:

VITEM I – Temporary Visa I: research, teaching or academic extension;

VITEM II – Temporary Visa II: health care visa;

VITEM III –Temporary Visa III: humanitarian visa;

VITEM IV – Temporary Visa IV: as a student;

VITEM V – Temporary Visa V: paid work visa;

VITEM VI – Temporary Visa VI: Working-Holiday Visa: for those who travel primarily for purposes of tourism, with the possibility of undertaking paid employment. Visa granted on the basis of bilateral agreements. There is currently an agreement with New Zealand; an agreement with France enters into force on March 1, 2018;

VITEM VII – Temporary Visa VII: as a minister of a religious confession or as a member of an institute of consecrated life and of a congregation or religious order;

VITEM VIII –Temporary Visa VIII – voluntary work visa;

VITEM IX –Temporary Visa IX – investor visa;

VITEM X – Temporary Visa X – visa for activities of economic, scientific, technological or cultural relevance;

VITEM XI – Temporary Visa XI – family reunification visa;

VITEM XII – Temporary Visa XII – artistic or sports activities visa;

VITEM XIII – Temporary Visa XIII – temporary visas due to international agreements;

VITEM XIV – Temporary Visa XIV - temporary visas due to the Brazilian immigration policy;

VITEM XV – VICAM - Temporary Visa for foreign doctors (medical training).


Diplomatic Visa: granted to foreign authorities and employees who have diplomatic status and travel to Brazil on an official mission, either on temporary or permanent basis, representing foreign Governments or International Organizations recognized by Brazil.

Official Visa: granted to foreign administrative staff traveling to Brazil on an official mission, either on temporary or permanent basis, representing foreign Governments or International Organizations recognized by the Brazilian government; or to any foreigners traveling to Brazil under official seal of their States.

Courtesy Visa: granted to personalities and foreign authorities in an unofficial trip to Brazil; spouse or partner, regardless of their gender, dependents and other family members who do not benefit from Diplomatic or Official Visa for family reunification; domestic workers of foreign Mission based in Brazil or of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; foreign artists and sportsmen traveling to Brazil for free and eminently cultural events.


http://houston.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/t … aid%20work

rraypo

Brazilian Consulates are using VITEM XIV for retirement visas.  See Viajanete's post of August 6, above.  The 2017 system left several numbers in the VITEM system undefined for future use; they'll probably leave it in XIV, or assign a specific number, depending on how popular it is.

I just got my VITEM XI through the SF Consulate, very nice people, very fast service, but there was no mention of an option for a Retirement Visa.  We discussed other options for me as I am retiring there with my wife, but no mention of that one.

Personally, I looked at the old retirement option, did not like the feeling of buying into a country and trying up funds.
PR is the same and a little more freedom.

Texanbrazil wrote:

Personally, I looked at the old retirement option, did not like the feeling of buying into a country and trying up funds.
PR is the same and a little more freedom.

I looked into the old retirement option too, but wanted to keep open the possibility of working, so I went with family reunion.   

I do have a Labor Card, but turned out to be lazier than I expected.  🤷‍♂️

My husband just got his retirement visa.

We used an immigration consultant out of SP to expedite the process.  He was very helpful in making sure everything was turned in and the process ran smoothly.  He also coordinated a team member to go with my husband when he had is 'interview' with the Federal Police in Salvador.

Some of the things we have learned:

The retirement visa - at this time - is only good for one year!  Our immigration consultant said that we will have to repeat the process all over again beginning about 9 months from now.  Next time, we will probably try going through the Consulate in San Francisco.  I think we can do it without a consultant.

Throughout the process, and in the end, there was never any indication from anyone that my husband 'must' bring his 'retirement income' to Brasil.  He only had to prove that he has it.

My husband was never asked about any proof of any medical insurance - either for Brasil, or for the US.

The 'interview' with the Federal Police was a mere formality.  They stamped the visa in his passport (good for ONLY 1 year) and took his photo.  It all took about 10 minutes.

Because this visa is valid for only one year, one has to wonder what good it is.  For us, it will mean that we can finally have a bank account in Brasil, and that we can stay over 180 days if we choose to.  In the meantime, we are hoping that the law/rule will change and Brasil will grant the retirement visa for a longer period of time.

I would be happy to answer questions or share any other parts of our experience if that would be helpful.

Kate,

That is just amazing!  Thanks for the update, so glad that it worked out for you, if only for a year this time.  I can't believe that they'll want to do that indefinitely.

Kate,
I second the great update on the often question asked by many.
Having to do the process every year, I do not fancy that?
Thank you

Back from my 3-week visit to Governador Valadares in anticipation of my retirement there in March or April. I've been collecting my documents for the retirement visa application. The Chicago consulate has confirmed that a LOCAL police background check is sufficient.  (My question and the response here:
Required:.  "A verificação do registro criminal emitido pelo Departamento de Polícia local"

    "Local" quer dizer da minha cidade mesma?  E também com uma apostilha do estado de Missouri?

Resposta 2. Com no máximo 90 dias de emitido pelo Departamento de Polícia do local de residência do requerente. O documento deve ter a assinatura oficial e também o carimbo ou o selo de alto relevo do Departamento de Polícia. Impressões de registros criminais gerados por computador não são aceitas.
...,......
So, if I take them at their word, it doesn't have to be an FBI report. Of course, the problem now is that the police here in town don't do background checks. Instead, they refer me to the municipal court, the county sheriff, and/or the state highway patrol for background checks.  How do you advise I proceed?  I also wonder if the requirements for the *visa* might not be the same as for the federal police. Anyone have any knowledge of this?  Thanks.

Incidentally, the trip was a success. Found and rented an apartment, 7th floor, 3-bedroom, for $353/month, including condomínio. (That's today's rate; it was cheaper when I got it) 😂.

So pretty much all that's left is the police report, arranging transport for me and the dog, confirming my health insurance, figuring out the best phone system, setting the date for my estate sale, tidying up taxes, credit card bills and talking to my bank about withdrawals in Brazil.  That's all. 😉😉

Again, your tips, advice, thoughts are always welcome and appreciated.

Hey there and congratulations on your initial success.  Just my two-cents' worth,  but the new FBI background checks are SO FAST and easy, that is the way to go.  I had my results in minutes, not hours, days, or weeks. Do the application online, pay the FBI fee, make an appointment with the correct USPO, go in, pay again, and you're out in minutes.  I had my results in my email when I got to my car in the parking lot of the Post Office.

Viajanete

You've gotten a lot done -- congratulations!

That's truly bizarre advice from the Consulate; that doesn't make it wrong, but it IS unique!  If that's what they're looking for to issue your visa, that's the right answer.  If I were you, though, I'd print out a hard copy of the email and keep it in my visa folder -- just in case!

At any rate, when you arrive in Valadares and go the the Polícia Federal to obtain your CRNM, they are going to want your FBI Background Check, and they're not going to care much what the Consulate told you for your visa.  So you'd still better have it, especially since, as rraypo says, it's so much easier now.

Thanks to you both. Yeah, I think it's wise to get the FBI check, too. Will it need an apostille? The turn-around time for apostilles from the State Dept is running 8-12 weeks, I'm told. Pretty close to that 90-day window.  Other alternatives?

Viajanete wrote:

Thanks to you both. Yeah, I think it's wise to get the FBI check, too. Will it need an apostille? The turn-around time for apostilles from the State Dept is running 8-12 weeks, I'm told. Pretty close to that 90-day window.  Other alternatives?

I used my FBI Background Check for my VITEM application.  The Consulate in San Francisco accepted a printed copy from me, by US Mail, in English, straight from my laptop. They were excellent to work with, fast and professional.

Viajanete wrote:

Thanks to you both. Yeah, I think it's wise to get the FBI check, too. Will it need an apostille? The turn-around time for apostilles from the State Dept is running 8-12 weeks, I'm told. Pretty close to that 90-day window.  Other alternatives?

To get a federal apostille fast on the FBI Background Check for my naturalization, I used National Apostille, Inc. (www.nationalapostille.com) They turned it around in less than a week, working from an electronic copy. 
1-800-903-2470

BTW, an apostille is attached permanently to a document, intentionally making the document difficult to alter.  In fact, removing the apostille in many cases will destroy the document.   This is why I always urge people to obtain digital copies of their documents as well, and you want to copy or scan any document before the apostille is applied.

knedelisky wrote:

My husband just got his retirement visa.

We used an immigration consultant out of SP to expedite the process.  He was very helpful in making sure everything was turned in and the process ran smoothly.  He also coordinated a team member to go with my husband when he had is 'interview' with the Federal Police in Salvador.

Some of the things we have learned:

The retirement visa - at this time - is only good for one year!  Our immigration consultant said that we will have to repeat the process all over again beginning about 9 months from now.  Next time, we will probably try going through the Consulate in San Francisco.  I think we can do it without a consultant.

Throughout the process, and in the end, there was never any indication from anyone that my husband 'must' bring his 'retirement income' to Brasil.  He only had to prove that he has it.

My husband was never asked about any proof of any medical insurance - either for Brasil, or for the US.

The 'interview' with the Federal Police was a mere formality.  They stamped the visa in his passport (good for ONLY 1 year) and took his photo.  It all took about 10 minutes.

Because this visa is valid for only one year, one has to wonder what good it is.  For us, it will mean that we can finally have a bank account in Brasil, and that we can stay over 180 days if we choose to.  In the meantime, we are hoping that the law/rule will change and Brasil will grant the retirement visa for a longer period of time.

I would be happy to answer questions or share any other parts of our experience if that would be helpful.

Since you offered to answer questions, I'll ask :-) Do you know if it's possible to prove retirement through assets, not through traditional retirement income like a pension?

Just an update:  Coming down to Departure-Day.  Paperwork for the visa is in the hands of the Chicago consulate since January 12th.  So much for "2-day Priority Mail" sent on January 7th.  *Hoping* to get the passport/visa back very soon.  I need a CPF to get my dog admitted into the country, and to get that, I need my passport, birth certificate and (just to be safe) my apostilled marriage and divorce certificates (in case there's any issue with my maiden, married, current names).  Departure-from-home date is March 5th (unless my inclination to leave on "March Forth!" wins out), driving with the dog to Texas with a friend to fly out on March 9th. 

Current "concerns" -- I don't want to call them "worries" -- are, of course, some kind of problem with the visa; getting an appointment and then myself physically to Chicago to appear for the CPF (lots of canceled flights and most of the remaining ones are expensive and not daily!), but an 8-hour drive each way IS possible and looking more and more likely; and, of course, the strain of wondering if the Covid vaccine will be available prior to my leaving.  Estate sale in 3 weeks.  Keeping fingers crossed.

Is anyone else out there going through the same process?  How's it going for you?

You can apply upon arrival for a cpf

I know, but I need to provide it ahead of time for the paperwork for the dog. :-(

Success!  The Retirement Visa arrived in yesterday's mail!  Now if I can just figure out how to get that CPF  for the canine paperwork.  I received an email from the Consulate a few minutes ago telling me that they have closed down the personal appointments for CPFs also, and that requests are currently being handled by email.  The adventure continues. 

Congratulations!  One step at a time.

Viajanete wrote:

Success!  The Retirement Visa arrived in yesterday's mail!  Now if I can just figure out how to get that CPF  for the canine paperwork.  I received an email from the Consulate a few minutes ago telling me that they have closed down the personal appointments for CPFs also, and that requests are currently being handled by email.  The adventure continues. 

I got my CPF by email. I sent documents by email to Brazilian consulate in Los Angeles, CA and got my CPF the next day by email.

It's very easy process.

1. Fill out this form http://www.receita.fazenda.gov.br/Aplic … cpfIng.asp (form is in English). Print, notarize and sign and scan.
2. US passport (scan)
3. Birth Certificate (scan)
4. Selfie (I don't know why are they asking for it)
5. Email above mentioned documents to notarial.losangeles@itamaraty.gov.br

I've noticed that every Brazilian consulate (in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago etc.) has its own rules and list of documents, don't ask me why, because I don' know.

You can try to email this documents to your consulate in Chicago, if they say we don't accept by email, you can say them WHY? Why your consulate in LA accepts by email, and you cannot?

Here is the link to BR consulate in LA http://losangeles.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/cpf.xml

I got my CPF I think through a website. That was over 6 years ago when am  married in Brazil.  It seem very easy but not sure how it works now. Good luck

Thanks, you all.  Wouldn't it be nice if the consulates were all consistent?  I mean, really?  Wouldn't it?  Well, I still have SOME time so I guess I'll follow the directions that Chicago sent.  But I may include their email to me when I send off my documents and formulário, just in case the folks in Brazill get my email and wonder, "What the heck is all this???"     

Just sent it off; the website is pretty easy to maneuver.  I'll keep my fingers crossed. Hope to get the CPF issued within a few days.

CPF received within just a few days!