Two numbers run your Brazilian life — the RNM from the Federal Police and the CPF from the Receita Federal — and the registration clock starts the day you land.
Overview
Brazil's arrival machinery is built around two registrations. First, migrant registration with the Polícia Federal: holders of temporary visas must register within 90 days of entry, while migrants whose residence authorisation is granted inside Brazil must request registration within 30 days of the decision's publication (Decreto 9.199/2017), on pain of fines. Registration produces your RNM number and the CRNM card (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório) — issuance fee R$204.77 — which is your identity document as a foreign resident. Second, the CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) from the Receita Federal, free of charge and obtainable even before travel at a Brazilian consulate: virtually nothing works without it — bank accounts, phone plans, leases, the SUS health card, even many online purchases. After those two, the chain continues to the digital Carteira de Trabalho for employment, the Cartão SUS at a local health post, and a bank account. Procedures verified against gov.br/pf, gov.br services portal and servicos.receita.fazenda.gov.br as of June 2026.
Before You Leave
- Visa via e-Consular: Lodge your VITEM application with the Brazilian consulate through econsular.itamaraty.gov.br; for work and investor routes the MigranteWeb residence authorisation must be granted first.
- Authenticate documents at origin: Birth/marriage certificates, police certificates and diplomas must be apostilled in the issuing country (or legalised by the Brazilian consulate if non-Hague) — Brazilian cartórios cannot authenticate foreign documents after you arrive.
- Get your CPF early: The Receita Federal allows foreigners to request a CPF through Brazilian consulates or its online channel before arrival. Landing with a CPF already issued accelerates everything from a SIM card to a rental contract.
- Budget the sworn translations: Foreign-language documents will need tradução juramentada in Brazil (Mercosur-state documents are exempt) — locate a tradutor público via a Junta Comercial register and get quotes in advance.
- Vaccination record: Brazil does not demand an immigration medical, but bring your vaccination history; yellow fever vaccination is recommended by the Ministry of Health for most Brazilian states, and Anvisa issues the international certificate (CIVP) free if you later travel onward.
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See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to register with the Federal Police after arriving in Brazil?
If you entered on a temporary visa (any VITEM), you must register within 90 days of entry — registration generates your RNM number and the CRNM card. If your residence authorisation was granted inside Brazil, Decreto 9.199/2017 gives you 30 days from publication of the decision to request registration, under penalty of the fines in art. 307. Book the appointment as soon as you land: large-city PF units can have multi-week queues, and it is the appointment, not card delivery, that matters for the deadline. Bring passport, visa, the paid GRUs (R$204.77 for the CRNM), photos and proof of address.
What is the CPF and why does everyone keep asking for it?
The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is the Receita Federal's individual taxpayer number — an 11-digit identifier that Brazil uses far beyond tax. Opening a bank account, signing a lease, getting a phone plan, registering for the SUS card, enrolling children in school and even buying online routinely require it. It is free, has no link to migration status, and foreigners can obtain it before travelling through a Brazilian consulate or the Receita Federal's online channel for foreigners, or in person in Brazil with passport and proof of address. Get it first — almost every other step in your setup depends on it.
What do I use as ID while I wait for my CRNM card?
The protocolo (receipt) issued at your Polícia Federal registration appointment. Under the Decreto 9.199 framework it documents your regular migratory status and RNM number while the physical card is produced, and together with your passport it is accepted by banks, employers and public services. Card production and delivery can take weeks — the PF's published service standard for the overall process allows up to 180 days — so guard the protocolo carefully, photograph it, and carry it with your passport. If you lose it or your card never arrives, follow up with the same PF unit; status can be checked through the PF's online systems.
Can I open a Brazilian bank account as soon as I arrive?
Realistically only after two things: a CPF and PF registration evidence. Banks ask for an identity document — the CRNM, or commonly the registration protocolo plus passport — the CPF, and proof of address (comprovante de residência) such as a utility bill or lease. Digital banks tend to onboard new residents fastest and entirely by app once the CPF exists. This is why the recommended order is CPF (ideally before travel, via consulate) → PF registration in week one → account immediately after. Salaries in formal employment are paid into Brazilian accounts, so employees should complete the chain before their first payroll cut-off.
Do I need any medical exam or vaccination to move to Brazil?
No immigration medical exam exists — neither Lei 13.445/2017 nor Decreto 9.199/2017 requires health screening for visas, residence or registration, and there are no panel physicians. Brazil also does not generally demand proof of vaccination at the border. That said, the Ministry of Health recommends yellow fever vaccination for travel to most Brazilian states, so vaccinate at least 10 days before exposure to risk areas, and bring your vaccination history. If you will travel onward to countries that demand a yellow fever certificate, Anvisa issues the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (CIVP) free of charge, valid for life.
How do I get access to public healthcare after arriving?
Through SUS, the Sistema Único de Saúde, which is universal: access does not depend on nationality, migration status or contributions. In practice you visit the UBS (Unidade Básica de Saúde — local health post) serving your address and request your Cartão Nacional de Saúde (Cartão SUS), presenting identification — CRNM, the PF protocolo, or CPF — and proof of address. The card is free and registers you with the local primary-care team for consultations, vaccination and referrals. Many residents also buy private health plans (regulated by ANS) for faster elective access, and note the digital nomad visa specifically requires private insurance valid in Brazil.