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Immigration law · Florianópolis

Immigration Lawyer in Florianópolis for Foreigners

Legal guidance for foreigners living in or moving to Florianópolis: digital nomad and other residence authorizations, student status, retirement, family cases and naturalization.

Living in Florianópolis

Florianópolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, lies largely on an island of beaches and lagoons, and it attracts people who want to combine work with a life by the sea. Foreigners here include remote professionals, technology workers, university students, retirees and families who came to visit and decided to stay. The right starting point depends on your nationality, your source of income and how long you plan to remain.

We walk you through each step by video call and secure document sharing, and you can talk to our team by phone or WhatsApp whenever you need.

3
languages: Portuguese, English and Spanish

60 min
first consultation, by video or in person

24 h
summary and next steps by email after the consultation

Immigration services for foreigners

01

Digital nomad visa

Remote work for clients or employers abroad.

Read the guide →
02

Student visa

Study at a Brazilian institution.

Read the guide →
03

Retirement residency

Residency for retirees with pension income.

Read the guide →
04

Brazil residency

Choose the right legal basis and apply.

Read the guide →
05

Family reunification and marriage

Spouses, partners and relatives.

Read the guide →
06

Investor residency

Company or real estate investment.

Read the guide →
07

Citizenship and naturalization

Become a Brazilian citizen.

Read the guide →
08

Company formation for foreigners

Structure, CNPJ and bank account.

Read the guide →
09

CRNM and regularization

Registration, renewals and overstay.

Read the guide →
10

Work authorization

For employees hired by Brazilian companies.

Read the guide →
11

Corporate immigration

Visa compliance for companies hiring foreigners.

Read the guide →
12

Mercosur residency

For nationals of Mercosur countries and associated states.

Read the guide →

Who we assist

✓Digital nomads and remote workers living in Florianópolis or planning to
✓Technology professionals and startup founders
✓University students and exchange participants
✓Retirees choosing a home on the coast
✓Visitors on a visitor stay who now wish to settle
✓Couples and families, including those with Brazilian partners or children
✓Foreigners who need to regularize their status

Working with us from Florianópolis

Immigration procedures are federal and are largely handled online or through consulates, so your location does not limit what we can do. We organize your documents, file the application, track its progress and respond to requests from the authorities. Registration with the Federal Police for your Brazilian National Migration Registry Card (CRNM) takes place where you live, and we explain how to prepare.

Where we assist you

We assist clients in Florianópolis by video call (Google Meet or Zoom), in English, Portuguese or Spanish, and by phone and WhatsApp.

How it works

01

Initial consultation

We review your nationality, current status, work situation and goal.

02

Legal strategy

We identify the most suitable visa or residency route.

03

Document preparation

We guide you through apostilles, sworn translations, forms and evidence.

04

Application and follow-up

We follow the case and answer the authorities’ requests.

Frequently asked questions

How can a foreigner get residency in Brazil?

Brazil grants residence on several grounds: work, investment, family ties (marriage, stable union, a Brazilian child), retirement, remote work, study and others under the Migration Law (Law No. 13,445/2017). The best route depends on your situation. In a free consultation we map the options and tell you which one fits.

Do I need a visa to visit Brazil?

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of many countries can enter as tourists without a visa, while others need a visitor visa or e-visa. Rules change, so check the current requirement for your passport before booking.

Can I extend my tourist stay in Brazil?

Visitors receive a limited stay when they enter, and in some cases it can be extended at the Federal Police before it expires. The total stay is capped, and a tourist stay does not turn into residence. If you plan to stay longer, talk to us about a residence route.

Can I work in Brazil as a visitor?

No. A visitor visa or stay does not authorize employment. Working requires a work visa or a residence authorization. Remote work for clients abroad has its own route, the digital nomad visa.

Is there a digital nomad visa for Brazil?

Yes (VITEM XIV). It is for people who work remotely for an employer or clients outside Brazil and can document that work and sufficient income. See our digital nomad guide for the requirements.

Can I apply for a Brazilian visa or residence from abroad?

Often, yes. Several routes start at a Brazilian consulate abroad, and others are filed once you are in Brazil, at the Federal Police. We tell you which applies to you before you travel.

Do foreign documents need an apostille and a sworn translation?

Generally yes. Foreign public documents (such as birth and marriage certificates and criminal record checks) usually need an apostille or consular legalization and a sworn translation into Portuguese.

Can I get residency through marriage or family in Brazil?

Yes. Spouses and stable-union partners of Brazilians, parents and children of Brazilians, and relatives of foreign residents may qualify. The main requirement is proof of the relationship with the right documents.

How do I become a Brazilian citizen?

Naturalization generally requires a period of residence in Brazil, Portuguese proficiency and a clean record. The required residence time can be shorter in some cases, such as having a Brazilian child or spouse. We assess your eligibility in the consultation.

What happens if I overstay in Brazil?

Overstaying leads to a fine and other consequences, but depending on the case it can be regularized. Get advice before leaving the country or filing anything. See our guide on irregular stay.

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 Florianópolis 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.

Florianópolis (SC)

Av. Prefeito Osmar Cunha, 416, sala 1108 - Ed. Koerich Empresarial Rio Branco
Centro, Florianópolis (SC)

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São Paulo (SP)

Avenida Paulista, 1471 - Conj. 512
Bela Vista, São Paulo (SP)

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Souza & Santos Advocacia

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This page is general information and is not legal advice. Each case depends on your nationality, documents and situation, and no outcome is guaranteed.