Brazilian Immigration Law

Immigration Lawyer in Brazil: Visas, Residency, and Citizenship for Foreign Nationals

A law firm focused on Brazilian immigration law, with offices in João Pessoa (PB) and São Paulo (SP), serving clients in Brazil and worldwide. Full-service representation for Brazilian visas, residency, and naturalization, from initial filing to final decision, grounded in Brazil's Migration Law (Law No. 13,445/2017).

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Law No. 13,445/2017

Every strategy we build rests on the Migration Law and the normative resolutions (RNs) of Brazil's National Immigration Council (CNIg).

PT · EN · ES

Representation in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, from first filing to final decision.

Individuals · Companies

Support for individuals immigrating on their own as well as companies sponsoring foreign talent.

João Pessoa · São Paulo

Offices in João Pessoa (PB) and São Paulo (SP), with remote support for clients anywhere in Brazil.

The Firm

A firm focused on immigration law.

Souza & Santos was founded to help people with immigration matters in Brazil — from the first visa to naturalization. We combine close, personal support with a firm command of Brazil's Migration Law, so every case rests on solid legal footing. We also advise on the real estate, employment, and corporate matters that come with moving to Brazil.

Focus
immigration law is our core practice, supported by real estate, employment, and corporate services.

PT · EN · ES
service in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, from start to finish.

JP · SP
offices in João Pessoa and São Paulo, with remote support worldwide.
Our Team

The people behind every case

Founding partners and attorneys who guide you, side by side, through every stage of your immigration journey.

Vinícios Santos

Vinícios Santos

Founding Partner · Immigration Law

Vinícios earned his law degree from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) and practices immigration law, including projects with foreign governments. He advises foreign nationals and multinational companies on visas, residency, international contracts, and regulatory matters.

Aristóteles Souza

Aristóteles Souza

Founding Partner · Family Reunification

Aristóteles handles family reunification and immigration status for the spouses, children, and dependents of foreign nationals in Brazil. Drawing on a strong background in family and estate law, he guides families through documentation and residency applications.

Fernanda Marinho

Fernanda Marinho

Attorney · Health Insurance & Employment Law

Fernanda helps foreign residents in Brazil obtain coverage, procedures, and treatment from their health plans. She also practices employment law for international companies, advising on employment contracts, compliance, and the hiring of foreign professionals.

Maria Clara Oliveira

Maria Clara Oliveira

Attorney · International Business

Maria Clara advises foreign companies entering or expanding in Brazil on corporate structuring, international contracts, and trademark protection. She helps investors navigate Brazilian regulatory requirements, from incorporating a local entity to registering their brand with INPI, Brazil's trademark office.

The Immigration Journey

One journey, five stages.

Every stage of a foreign national's life in Brazil has its own legal requirements — from the entry visa to naturalization. See which stage applies to you.

01
VIVIS

Visitor

Tourism, business, transit, and event visas for short stays in Brazil.

02
VITEM IV

Student

Temporary visa for study, research, or exchange programs at recognized Brazilian institutions.

03
RN CNIg

Worker

Temporary work visas, intra-company transfers, and work authorizations for specific activities.

04
CRNM

Resident

Residence authorization and issuance of the National Migratory Registry Card (CRNM), Brazil's ID card for foreign residents.

05
NATURALIZATION

Citizen

Ordinary, extraordinary, special, or provisional naturalization, under the Migration Law.

How We Help

Guidance for every kind of client.

For You

One-on-one guidance on the right visa for your situation, with support through to the final decision.

Talk to a lawyer

For Your Family

Family reunification and immigration status for spouses, children, and other dependents, before the Federal Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Secure my family's status

For Companies

Visa sponsorship, immigration compliance, and relocation of foreign employees to Brazil.

Discuss my company's needs
Practice Areas

Immigration law, from visa applications to administrative appeals.

AREA 01

Temporary Work Visas

Employment contracts, intra-company transfers, and work authorizations from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

AREA 02

Investment-Based Residency

Residence authorization for individual investors making capital investments in Brazilian companies.

AREA 03

Family Reunification

Visas and residence authorizations for spouses, partners in a stable union (união estável), children, and dependents.

AREA 04

Brazilian Naturalization

Ordinary, extraordinary, special, and provisional naturalization, with support until the naturalization order is published in the Official Gazette.

AREA 05

Student and Researcher Visas

Immigration status for study, exchange, and research programs at Brazilian institutions.

AREA 06

Corporate Immigration Compliance

Audits of foreign-national hiring practices and compliance with Federal Police requirements.

Why Souza & Santos

One firm for your entire immigration journey.

Experienced representation before the relevant authorities

We represent clients before the Federal Police, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Strategy tailored to nationality and visa type

Every case accounts for bilateral agreements and the specific requirements of the client's country of origin.

Continuity from day one to naturalization

The same firm supports the client from the first visa through to citizenship, with no handoffs between phases.

Real Estate Law

We also protect your real estate interests in Brazil.

Full legal support for foreign nationals who buy, rent, or clear title to property in Brazil, from the first contract to final registration.

Explore Real Estate Law
Insights

Guidance on immigrating to Brazil.

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Get in Touch

Book a 60-minute consultation

Speak directly with a Brazilian immigration lawyer in English or Portuguese. We'll identify the best immigration pathway for you, explain the documents you'll need, and outline next steps.

How it works

✓Free consultation.
✓60 minutes by video call (Google Meet or Zoom) or in person at one of our offices, in João Pessoa or São Paulo.
✓In Portuguese or English, whichever you prefer.
✓Times shown below adjust automatically to your time zone.
✓You'll receive a written summary of the recommended pathway, a proposal, and next steps.
✓We'll email everything within 24 hours of the consultation.

João Pessoa (PB)

Avenida Guarabira, 1222 - Sala 203

+55 83 99644-2180 contato@souzaesantosadvocacia.com.br Chat on WhatsApp

São Paulo (SP)

Avenida Paulista, 1471 - Conj 512, Bela Vista

+55 11 98849-4224 Chat on WhatsApp

In-person meetings also in

Rio de Janeiro · Brasília · Florianópolis · Belo Horizonte

Attorney at Souza & Santos Advocacia

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