How to Apply for a Brazil Retirement Visa in Philadelphia

Brazil’s popularity as a retirement destination for foreigners has grown as the government continues to fine-tune its retirement visa program.  Sandy beaches, lush tropical jungles, friendly people, and low prices make South America’s largest country an attractive destination for tourists and retirees from Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.

The Federative Republic of Brazil’s culture is shaped by a blend of European, African, and indigenous influences.  The former Portuguese colony is known for shimmering beaches, Amazon rainforests, rugged mountains, and oceanic islands.  Brazil is the only predominantly Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas.  However, English speakers are rarely found outside the major cities, so language barriers can present a challenge.  High crime in urban areas, poor infrastructure, and political uncertainty also remain persistent problems.

Still, retirees from the Philadelphia area can find lots to love in affordable Brazil.  The cost of living in the United States is 131% higher than in Brazil (without rent) and 184% higher including rent, while restaurants cost 118% more, according to the website Numbeo (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=Brazil&country2=United+States).  Other benefits include balmy weather, a healthy lifestyle, and access to free or discounted public transportation for seniors.  Free universal healthcare is also available, although about 25% of residents chose to pay for private medical services.  Retirees are not permitted to work in Brazil, but you can perform non-paid volunteer activities, and could also attend school as a student (to study Portuguese, for example).  Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, is an 11 ½-hour flight from Philadelphia (with a transfer through Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, or Washington Dulles), with connecting flights to Rio de Janeiro and the capital city of Brasilia.

Natural and cultural wonders offer plenty of diversions for retirees, including the Rio’s world-famous carnival and cuisine; Brasilia’s modern architecture, shopping centers, and vibrant nightlife; and the zoos and aquariums of cosmopolitan Sao Paulo.  Brazil is home to more than 70 national parks and 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Recently U.S. News & World Report named Brazil the world’s best place for adventure tourism. “The scale of Brazil's landscape is massive,” the publication stated. “Its coastline with the Atlantic Ocean stretches for more than 4,600 miles.  The Amazon River is the world's second longest.  It is considered to have the greatest variety of plants, mammals and fish of any nation in the world, thanks to the sprawling Amazon rainforest.” (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/adventure).  Popular outdoor activities include surfing, mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, kitesurfing, and skateboarding.   

While some retirees favor the three large urban areas, numerous lesser-known cities have also become popular retirement destinations.  Florianopolis features a relaxed coastal lifestyle with stunning beaches, great food, and cultural diversity.  Fortaleza tops many lists of the best retirement cities with its classy beachfront vibe, fresh local seafood, resorts, and nightclubs.  Salvador -- famous for music, festivals, and marketplaces – is another top beach retirement destination, as are Joao Pessoa and Natal.  Foz do Iguacu is home to Iguazu Falls, several national parks, and abundant wildlife.  Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, Manaus provides a unique retirement setting for lovers of crafts, cultural events, and the outdoors.  From great food to great environments, Brazil boasts plenty of potential retirement havens for Philadelphia-based travelers.

Brazil Retirement Visa Program

Holders of an American passport can apply online for an electronic (e-Visa) to visit Brazil for tourism and other purposes (https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-sao-francisco/electronic-visitor-visa-e-visa). However, residents of the Philadelphia area who wish to retire in Brazil must obtain a retirement visa through the Brazilian consulate in New York City. 

The Brazilian visa is initially good for one to two years (depending on the determination of immigration officials.) Once approved, you will have up to one year to enter Brazil.  After the initial visa period ends, you can apply for a visa extension for a longer period of time, or seek a residential permit.

The primary requirement for a retirement visa is that your lifetime income from all sources exceeds $2,000 monthly.  Those sources can include a government pension (such as Social Security), private pensions, death benefit payouts, rental income, and other verifiable sources.

Residents of the Philadelphia area can apply in person at the consulate in New York or obtain assistance from an outside agency such as Visa Supply.  Brazil has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and 10 U.S. consulates.  The New York consulate on 225 East 41st Street in Manhattan (https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-nova-york) serves Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York residents.  The New York consulate is open on non-holidays Mondays through Fridays from 8 am to noon for scheduled services, plus you can submit your visa application and collect your documents without an appointment from 1-3 pm.  You can make an appointment through the consulate website.

To begin the application process, access the online form and follow the instructions shown at https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/ui/#/instrucoes-iniciais-visto.  Certain documents below must be uploaded, such as a digital photo.  Once you complete the general visa form and submit it, you will receive a receipt.  You must sign this receipt and present it at the consulate or embassy, along with the required documentation.  Processing usually takes about four weeks at the New York City consulate.

Required documents to apply for the retirement visa include:

  • Passport that does not expire within one year from the date of visa submission, with at least two blank pages.
  • For non-U.S. citizens, proof of residence (visa or Green card).
  • One passport-style photo taken within the last six months.
  • Notarized copy of your driver’s license.
  • Original birth certificate. (If you were not born in the United States, you must provide an original apostilled birth certificate.)
  • FBI background check, issued within the last 60 days.
  • Health insurance policy valid in Brazil. (NOTE: Visa Supply can help you find an eligible insurance carrier.)
  • Flight itinerary showing the applicant’s name and arrival date in Brazil.
  • Proof of retirement and receipt of pension or death-related pension of at least $2,000 monthly. If your pension is less than $2,000, you must prove additional regular income sources that will bring the total to at least $2,000.
  • Proof of ability to transfer at least $2,000 each month to Brazil. You will need to enclose a notarized letter from your bank account manager confirming that the bank can make the required transfers to Brazil.
  • A USPS money order of $290 for the non-refundable application fee.
  • A USPS Priority envelope, pre-paid and self-addressed, so officials can mail your passport back to you.

However, the list above is not necessarily comprehensive. “Every Brazilian Consulate has its own workflow,” the government stated on the visa application website. “For any questions regarding fees and payment methods, as well as types of service offered, please contact the Brazilian Consulate where your visa application will be processed.”

Philadelphia residents and others living in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware with questions about obtaining a retirement visa for Brazil -- or who would like our help ensuring their documents and paperwork are accurate and complete, or to use our courier service to deliver your application -- can place an order through our website: https://www.visasupply.com/brazil-retirement-visa.html.  Visa Supply can also help you obtain health insurance and airline tickets for your trip to Brazil.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in the Philadelphia area and have difficulty applying for a Brazil retirement visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Brazil retirement visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Brazil.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.  We provide the following Brazil visa services for our customers in Philadelphia:

  • Brazil Retirement Visa
  • Brazil Digital Nomad Visa
  • Brazil Student Visa
  • Brazil Temporary Work Visa
  • Brazil Tourist Visa
  • Brazil Business Visa
  • Brazil Health Insurance
  • Brazil Hotel Accommodations
  • Brazil Flight Tickets