Brazil jumps on digital nomad visa bandwagon

By Uglobal Staff

Brazil has launched a new residency program specifically for digital nomads, allowing them to stay in the country on a renewable year-long visa as long as they work for a foreign employer.

The new government regulation is in line with global trends and will boost the local tourism sector, according to a statement released from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

“The remuneration of digital nomads comes from abroad and the resources brought by these immigrants move the national economy. This is an important step for Brazil to promote one of the most modern models of work,” said José Vicente Santini, the Brazilian National Immigration Council president and National Secretary of Justice.

Digital nomads must make at least $1,500 per month

The new digital visa is open to all foreigners who can provide proof that they are employed by a foreign employer and have at least $1,500 in monthly income; those with at least $18,000 in the bank would also be deemed eligible, according to the text of the regulation published in the official gazette on January 24.

Other important documentation required is a valid health insurance for the entire period of stay as well as proof that the applicant does not have a criminal record from any other countries they previously stayed in during the last five years.

Foreigners who are already in Brazil can also apply for the new program by making an application at the ministry's MigranteWeb System.

Digital nomad residency programs have grown steadily ever since the start of the pandemic. Today, remote workers have visa residency options in at least 23 countries, among them: the UAE, St. Lucia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Panama, Montserrat, Mauritius, Malta, Iceland, Greece, Georgia, Estonia, Dominica, Curacao, Croatia, Costa Rica, Cayman Islands, Cape Verde, Bermuda, Barbados, the Bahamas, Aruba, and Antigua and Barbuda, according to the 2021 Worldwide Immigration Trends report by Fragomen Knowledge Group.

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