Change of residence authorisation to indefinite term
autorização de residência por prazo indeterminado · Official name: Autorização de residência - transformação para prazo indeterminado (Lei 13.445/2017; Decreto 9.199/2017)
Brazil has no single permanent residence category. Most temporary residence authorisations (2 years under the Mercosur residence agreement, neighbouring-country residence, humanitarian reception and others) can be changed to an indefinite term by applying to the Federal Police shortly before they expire, typically in the last 90 days, showing no criminal record in Brazil and means of subsistence. Some routes, such as family reunion with a Brazilian, can be granted for an indefinite term from the start.
Life in Brazil
Finance
3
Currency
Brazilian Real
BRL
Brazilian Real
Cost of living
46
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
7.5–27.5%
Income tax (national)
From 2026 a monthly reduction makes taxable income up to BRL 5,000/month effectively exempt (phased out up to BRL 7,350); 27.5% applies above BRL 4,664.68/month on the base table.
Living
1
Happiness
#30 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Holders of temporary residence authorisations whose legal basis allows a change to an indefinite term.
Eligibility
Qualifying temporary residence
Sign in to check this route against your profileHolders of qualifying temporary residence can apply in the 90 days before their 2-year residence expires.
Application window
- Before expiry
- 90 days
- Residence length
- 2 years
- Examples: Portaria 19/2021 (neighbouring countries)
- Examples: Portaria 60/2025 (humanitarian reception)
Official wording
For example, Portaria 19/2021 (neighbouring countries) and Portaria 60/2025 (humanitarian reception) let holders apply in the 90 days before the 2-year residence expires.
No criminal record in Brazil and means of subsistence
Sign in to check this route against your profileShown with court certificates from where the person lived and documents such as an employment contract, CTPS record, payslips, company or MEI registration, tax return, or a sworn declaration of lawful means.
Absences (humanitarian route)Humanitarian residence holders
Sign in to check this route against your profileUnder Portaria 60/2025, stay within the absence limit and enter and leave only through Brazilian migration control.
90 days
Absence limit (humanitarian route) · in each migration year
- Applies to humanitarian residence holders
Official wording
Under Portaria 60/2025: no absence of more than 90 days in each migration year, and entries and exits only through Brazilian migration control.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklist
- Fees
- Steps to apply
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- 4 documents
- 2 fees
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
Other routes to Brazil
- Visit & tourismVisitor visa (VIVIS) for tourism, including the e-Visa for US, Canadian and Australian citizens
- StudyTemporary Study Visa (VITEM IV) and residence for study
- Work permitsResidence authorisation for work with an employment contract
- 3 more routes with Premium
