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BrazilFamily reunification

Residence permit by family reunification in Brazil

The residence permit by family reunification allows the close relatives of a Brazilian national, or of a foreign national already holding a valid residence permit in the country, to move to Brazil. Applications are filed by spouses and partners, parents and children, siblings and guardians — each within their own category of relationship as defined by Brazilian migration law.

Source: Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública — Autorização de Residência

Who can obtain it

Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security lists a closed set of categories of relationship for the «reunião familiar» basis. All other relatives fall outside it.

Spouse, partner and children

  • A spouse or partner — without discrimination as to the form of the union, in accordance with Brazilian law
  • A child of a Brazilian national or of an immigrant holding a valid residence permit
  • A parent with a Brazilian child
  • A parent with an immigrant child holding a valid residence permit

Relatives in the ascending and descending line

  • An ascendant (parent, grandmother, grandfather) of a Brazilian national or of an immigrant holding a valid residence permit
  • A descendant (child, grandchild) of a Brazilian national or of an immigrant holding a valid residence permit

Siblings and people in care

  • A brother or sister of a Brazilian national or of an immigrant holding a valid residence permit
  • The guardian of a Brazilian national — under guardianship, curatorship or custody (tutela, curatela ou guarda)

What it costs

Fee for processing and assessing the residence permit application (code 140066)168,13 BRL
Fee for issue of the CRNM card — Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório (code 140120)204,77 BRL
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.372,9 BRL

Documents to gather

The official list of Brazil's Ministry of Justice for the «reunião familiar» basis — family reunification. Some documents are not needed in every case, which is noted separately.

  • A travel document or official identity document
  • Two recent colour photographs, 3×4 cm
  • A birth certificate, marriage certificate or consular certificate — where the identity document does not show the parents' details
  • The receipts for the fees for the residence permit and for issue of the CRNM card, where those fees apply
  • The completed application form
  • A criminal record certificate for the last five years from the competent authority for the place where the applicant has been living
  • A sworn declaration that there is no criminal record in any country for the last five years
  • A birth or marriage certificate evidencing the relationship with the inviting Brazilian national or immigrant, or another document evidencing that link
  • An identity document of the inviting Brazilian national or immigrant with whom the applicant wishes to be reunited
  • A sworn declaration that the inviting relative is resident in Brazil
  • For a brother or sister over 18 — proof of economic dependence on the inviting Brazilian national or immigrant

How the process runs

Applications for a permit by family reunification are received by the Federal Police (Polícia Federal), which also registers the applicant and issues the migrant card.

  1. 1

    Gather the set of documents

    Prepare the identity document, photographs, certificates of relationship, criminal record certificates and declarations — the full list depends on the category of relationship.

  2. 2

    Pay the fees

    Pay the fee for processing the application and the fee for issue of the CRNM card. The bank slip (boleto GRU) is generated on the Federal Police website.

  3. 3

    File the application with the Federal Police

    Attend in person at the Federal Police unit for your place of residence, or book in advance online through the SINCRE portal.

  4. 4

    Await the decision and receive the CRNM card

    130–180 calendar days

    The processing time is an estimate and depends on the type and complexity of the application. Once it is approved the Registro Nacional Migratório card is issued.

Who you can bring with you

The requirements differ between categories of relative — here is what to watch for when filing and when renewing.

Spouse or partner
The union is recognised without discrimination under Brazilian law; the relationship is evidenced by a marriage certificate or a document on the civil union
Children under 4
On renewal of the permit, 3×4 photographs are required only for children under four
Siblings over 18
Economic dependence on the inviting Brazilian national or immigrant must also be evidenced — both on first filing and on renewal
Guardian of a Brazilian national
A person who has a Brazilian national under guardianship, curatorship or custody (tutela, curatela ou guarda) is also entitled to apply for reunification

Renewal and the grace period

To renew a permit by family reunification the following are needed: a valid CRNM card; two 3×4 photographs — only if the immigrant is under four; the receipt for the fee for issue of the new CRNM card, where applicable; the completed application form; a sworn declaration that there is no criminal record for the last year; proof that the inviting relative has also renewed their own residence permit; a declaration that the inviting relative is still resident in Brazil; and, for siblings over 18, a declaration that the economic dependence continues.

Frequently asked questions about Residence permit by family reunification

Who is entitled to a residence permit by family reunification in Brazil?
The law lists a closed set: a spouse or partner; the parent of a Brazilian child or of an immigrant child holding a valid residence permit; a child of a Brazilian national or of an immigrant holding a valid residence permit; ascendants and descendants up to the second degree; siblings; and the guardian of a Brazilian national.
How much does a permit by family reunification cost?
The fee for processing and assessing the application is 168.13 reais (code 140066). The fee for issue of the CRNM card is 204.77 reais (code 140120). The GRU bank slip for payment is generated on the Federal Police website.
How long does examination of the application take?
The estimated period is from 130 to 180 calendar days. The exact time depends on the type of basis and on the complexity of the particular application.
Where is a family reunification application filed?
The application is received by the Federal Police (Polícia Federal) unit for the applicant's place of residence. An appointment may be booked in advance online through the SINCRE portal — servicos.dpf.gov.br/sincreWeb.
Does the applicant's brother or sister have to prove anything extra?
Yes. A brother or sister of a Brazilian national or of an immigrant holding a valid residence permit, if over 18, must evidence economic dependence on the inviting relative — both on first filing and on any subsequent renewal of the permit.
What is needed to renew a permit by family reunification?
A valid CRNM card, the receipt for the fee for the new card, the completed form, a declaration that there is no criminal record for the last year, and proof that the inviting relative lives in Brazil and has renewed their own residence permit.

Other ways to move to Brazil

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Brazil.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.