Return to Brazil

Several Brazilians who have decided to return indefinitely to Brazil have been seeking the Consulate's assistance with regards to what arrangements they should make. In order to answer these queries, a small list of arrangements has been prepared, containing guidance about what should be done at the Consulate before departure, as well as practical suggestions for the arrival in Brazil. Bear in mind this is only general guidance; please contact the Consulate if you have a more specific query. Please also read the information contained in the Portal do Retorno (Portuguese only).

Necessary arrangements before departure:

1. Check the date of expiry of your passport and of all family members travelling with you. If any of the passports has expired, click here to read instructions on how to apply for a new passport or request an Authorisation for Return to Brazil (ARB).
2. If you are moving back (and taking all your belongings) to Brazil after having lived abroad for over one year, click here to learn how to request a residence certificate at the Consulate to be submitted at Inland Revenue (Receita Federal).
3. If you or your children have studied in the United Kingdom, the school documents must be apostilled by the FCO - Foreign and Commonwealth Office and then be translated in Brazil.
4. If you got married in the United Kingdom, remember to register your marriage at the Consulate. Upon arrival in Brazil, go to your nearest registry office to have your consular certificate transcribed.
5. If you have had children in the United Kingdom, remember to register their birth at the Consulate. This registration guarantees your child's Brazilian citizenship.
6. If only one of the parents is returning with a minor child, it is advisable to have a travel authorisation for minor children, to be signed by the parent (or legal guardian) who is not accompanying the child. Authorisations are valid for up to two years.

Other arrangements:

1. If you are taking a pet, click here to learn how to take the necessary measures (vaccine, documents) to enter Brazil.

Arrangements upon arrival:

1. Electoral status: If you are aged between 18 and 70 years old, remember to regularise your electoral status up to 30 days from returning to the country.
2. Military Service: If you are a man aged between 18 and 45 years old, remember to do your Military Enlistment upon return to Brazil. Click here for more information.
3. Identity Card: If you do not have an identity card, go to your nearest State Public Security Department (Secretaria de Segurança Pública) for information on how to get an ID card.
4. Driving licence: Brazilian holders of a foreign driving licence issued in the country where they used to live are allowed to use it for up to 180 days from entry in Brazil, as long as it is accompanied by a valid Brazilian identity card. Before completion of this period, go to your nearest DETRAN to have your mental and physical examination and psychological assessment, in order to obtain your Brazilian driving licence - "Carteira Nacional de Habilitação" (read the CONTRAN Resolution 360, of 29/09/2010).
5. If you do not hold a CPF: check here the Inland Revenue (Receita Federal) website.
6. Additional information about returning to Brazil is available at Portal do Retorno (Portuguese only).