Moving to Brazil and a Marriage Visa

Posted by shipping Brazil on November 6, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

When marrying a citizen of Brazil, you may be thinking about moving to Brazil. A visa is available for spouses that will allow you to live in Brazil permanently. IntlMOVE Brazil has put together some information to help you establish your new life in Brazil with your partner. However, rules can change, so you can always find the most up-to-date information at your local Consulate.

When planning your move from the U.S. to Brazil with a marriage visa, you will need to plan months in advance. Give yourself extra time in case there are any issues with securing your visa.

Before you apply, make sure you have everything in order. IntlMOVE Brazil has put together a list of documents you will need for the visa application process.

Documents Needed for Marriage Visa

  • Original certified copy of the United States or Brazilian marriage certificate. You will get a Brazilian marriage certificate if the visa is approved.
  • Notarized copy of marriage visa applicant’s passport. When starting the process, make sure your passport will not expire within the next six months.
  • FBI clearance record which is less than 90 days old. The Consulate General of Brazil in Washington D.C. needs to legalize the document.
  • Passport or other legal Brazilian ID of Brazilian spouse.
  • The Brazilian spouse must sign a “Termo de Responsabilidade.” This indicates that the Brazilian spouse can support her new spouse.

Other Useful Information

If applying for the visa in the United States, you cannot pay for the fees with credit cards, cash or personal checks. They are not accepted. You will need to pay by money order. You will receive your answer from the Consulate as to whether your visa was approved between four to eight weeks. Steps to be taken from this point will be provided by your local Consulate.

If you fill out all of the information online, you will need to set up an appointment to deliver everything in person.

This visa states that you wish to live permanently in Brazil. If you leave the country for more than two years in a row, the visa will be revoked. After moving to Brazil, you must register with the Brazilian Federal Police within 30 days.

After your visa is approved, you will be well on your way to moving to Brazil to start your new life. As soon as you know you are moving, contact IntlMOVE Brazil to arrange your international shipment of household goods from the U.S. to Brazil. IntlMOVE Brazil will pack your household goods, load them into a container and ship them to Brazil. Contact IntlMOVE Brazil today to get the ball rolling.

 

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Moving to Brazil and Renting an Apartment in Rio de Janeiro

Posted by shipping Brazil on November 2, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

When moving to Brazil with IntlMOVE Brazil, you will need to find a place to live. IntlMOVE Brazil has put together some tips to help you find the perfect place to live in Rio de Janeiro.

Finding an Apartment

The easiest way to find an apartment is with a rental agent. Find an agent by speaking with your human resources department if you are moving to Rio de Janeiro for a job or talk to other expats. Rental websites are also available. Driving around and looking for rental signs in windows or looking through classifieds are other ways to find apartments that are available.

Find an Apartment Close to Work

Rio de Janeiro is notorious for its traffic. Finding an apartment close to your place of employment will save you hours during your morning and afternoon commute.

Rental Contracts

When you are first looking for an apartment, you may find that landlords only want to sign leases for three months. Owners are required to give three months notice to renters if a lease will not be renewed. If landlords don’t know you, they many only rent to your for three months, with an option to sign a long-term lease at the end of the short-term lease.

This is especially true if you arrive after September. Apartment owners like to rent out their apartments for short-tem leases from New Years to Carnival because they get extra money. When you find a long-term rental, the lease may run 12 or 30 months. However, you can get out of leases for a fee or you can extend the lease if you want to stay longer.

A renter may give 30 days notice in writing to move out at any time. However, the renter must pay an additional one month’s rent and other charges outlined in lease.

Before signing a lease, have a lawyer who speaks Portuguese and English read over the document for you. You do not want to sign something you do not understand. You can also send the lease to an independent translation company.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished

The majority of furnished rentals are short-term. You will have a tough time finding a long-term furnished apartment, but they can be found. When renting an unfurnished apartment, they typically do not come with light fixtures, window blinds or other necessities. IntlMOVE Brazil can ship all of your household goods from the U.S. to Brazil to furnish your unfurnished apartment.

Documents Needed to Rent

Documents needed to rent an apartment may include: proof that your income is three times the amount of the rent; RNE, RG or CPF numbers; and your personal income tax declaration for current year.

Extra Costs

Renters are sometimes asked to pay the property tax (IPTU) payments. This is a fairly common practice. Ask about this beforehand to find out who is paying these taxes, because the unexpected cost may raise your rent. If you are living in a condominium, you may also be required to pay the condo fees.

Deposits for rentals are typically between one and three month’s rent. When moving in, take pictures and make a list of anything that is wrong with the apartment so you are not charged when moving out.

Insurance

When renting an apartment, you are required to carry insurance. The cost f the insurance is determined by the value of the property. This insurance may cover the following: fire, burglary and broken windows. Each policy is different, so research different companies before signing any contracts. The owner is required to have fire insurance, but they may pass this fee along to you.

Each lease is different and laws can change, so research each lease and research updated laws before signing any documents. When you are ready to furnish your unfurnished apartment in Brazil, contact IntlMOVE Brazil to ship your household goods and personal effects from the U.S. to Brazil.

 

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