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.

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.

FIFA History

The first World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930. The football team from Uruguay was the reigning Olympic champions. Teams did not need to qualify to participate, but instead were sent invitations. This was the only time in FIFA history when teams did not need to qualify. All major football nations received an invitation. Thirteen teams participated. Uruguay ultimately won the first World Cup event and trophy.

Finalists

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20^th time this event takes place.  In Europe, there are 13 berths available and 53 teams competing for these places in the World Cup. There are between four and five berths available in South America. Brazil has already qualified for the finals because it is the host country. The fifth berth will either be filled by Asia or South America. Asia has between four and five berths available for 43 teams. Africa has 53 teams competing for five berths. North, Central American and the Caribbean countries will compete for three or four berths, with the fourth berth being determined by Oceania’s performance.

Needless to say, soccer, or football, is a big part of Brazil’s culture. In fact, Brazil has won the world cup in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

FIFA World Cup Event

Twenty-five agencies submitted designs, but one was chosen and unveiled in Africa. The logo for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was named Inspiration and was designed a Brazilian Agency named Africa.

The FIFA World Cup events will take place in 12 cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo.

Belo Horizonte has a stadium with a planned capacity of 69,950, which is being upgraded. Brasilia has a stadium with a planned capacity of 71,500, which is being rebuilt. Cuiaba is building a stadium with a planned capacity of 42,500. Curitiba is upgrading a stadium with a planned capacity of 41,375. New stadiums are being built in Manaus, with a planned capacity of 50,000, and in Natal with a planned capacity of 45,000. Porto Alegre is upgrading its stadium, which has a planned capacity of 62,000. New stadiums are also being built in Recife, with a planned capacity of 46,160, Salvador, with a planned capacity of 55,000, and Sao Paulo with a planned capacity of 48,000. Rio de Janeiro is updating its stadium with a planned capacity of 82,000.

To prepare for the big event, Brazil is not holding back. They are constructing and remodeling stadiums at a cost that has been estimated at about three-quarters for a billion dollars. Airports will also have to be updated. The majority of the upgrades are for Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

If you are moving to Brazil before the big event, contact IntlMOVE Brazil to ship your household goods from the U.S. to Brazil.

The cost of living in Sao Paulo is similar to that of a big city in the United States. Sao Paulo is known as the business capital of Latin America, so your budget will depend mostly on the standard of living you are used to maintaining. This city is considered the 10th most expensive city in the world to live in, so adjust your budget if you are not used to big city prices.

However, you will love living in Sao Paulo. The beautiful weather, fun activities, warm people and the beautiful surroundings make the move worth the effort.

Housing

The cost of housing is typically the biggest item in a budget. A nice area to live in Sao Paulo is the Jardins area. This area is considered safe, but also one of the most expensive. To rent an unfurnished apartment, you can expect to spend upwards of $2,000 for an unfurnished 2-bedroom flat.

Transportation

The city of Sao Paulo is very fast paced. This means that commuting can be time consuming as there is always something going on. In fact, a short commute of 5 km can take more than one hour. For this reason, try to find a home in close proximity to your job, preferably within walking distance. If you are working in an area where you don’t want to live, consider relying on public transportation. Using public transportation may save you money and the headaches involved with daily commutes. Gas prices in Brazil are quite high, so relying on public transportation will save you money if you are driving long distances.

Food, Drinks and Entertainment

Locally grown and produced groceries are less expensive. If you are looking for your favorite North American food, expect to pay a little bit more. Similar to the United States, imported food will cost you more money, so buy local if you are adhering to a strict budget.

Dining out and nightlife will cost you about the same amount of money, or slightly more, in comparison to big cities in the United States. Going to a movie will cost slightly more – around $20.

If you are going out for a night of drinking with your friends, the cost will vary depending on your idea of a good night out. You can easily have an inexpensive night on the town, but the costs of beverages add up quickly at the more exclusive nightclubs and restaurants.

Monthly Services

Internet, cable television and cell phone services will generally cost you slightly less than they do in the United States. However, be prepared to pay deposits when you first arrive in Brazil to set up these services. Check out this article on setting up utilities in Sao Paulo.

Going to the salon or paying for a housekeeper is the one thing that is significantly less than in the United States.

Health Insurance

Health insurance costs in the United States continue to skyrocket. However, you will be happy to know that in general, healthcare in Brazil is more affordable. Some plans can even be established for less than $100 per month.

Electronics

Electronics are much more expensive in Brazil than in the United States. Ship your laptops, cell phones and other electronics that can easily be used internationally to Brazil. You will save money in the long run, rather than trying to purchase these items after you move. However, Brazil does not have the same type of electrical outlets. You may need to purchase some electronics after moving to Brazil.

Because of the higher costs in Brazil, shipping your household goods from the U.S. to Brazil is a wise choice. When planning a move to Brazil, contact IntlMOVE Brazil for your international shipping needs.

When moving to Sao Paulo, you may not live downtown, but reside somewhere nearby in the metropolitan area. Sao Paulo has a well-developed public transportation system, so it is easy to get around.

Traveling by Car in Sao Paulo

There are over 6 million cars in Sao Paulo, so this mode of transportation is not always the best because of the regular road congestion.

Traveling by Bus in Sao Paulo

SPTrans, or Sao Paulo Transporte, is responsible for the busses, which run throughout Sao Paulo. There are over 17,000 busses that run in Sao Paulo and the outskirts of the city, so knowing which bus to take is important to get around.

You can pay for your bus fare with cash or with a prepaid card called Bilhete Unico. Some of the busses are painted to correspond to the areas of Sao Paulo that they services. These colors may include: light green for the northwest region and dark blue for the northern region.

There are fast-lane bus systems in Sao Paulo, which are connected to the metro. These bus lines are called “Passa Rapido.”

Railways in Sao Paulo

In Sao Paulo, there are 61.5 km of underground railway systems, known as the metro. There are 58 metro stations. The metro system in Sao Paulo is considered one of the best in the world. There are five color-coded lines, which run throughout the city. It is safe and clean, so if you are moving to Sao Paulo, you can be confident that you will be able to travel easily throughout the city.

In addition to the metro, the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) serves the Sao Paulo metropolitan area. There are six lines on the CPTM that service regions that the metro does not reach. A daily commute may consist of taking both transportation systems, depending on where you live.

Air Transportation

Your new job in Sao Paulo may require frequent flying. There are three airports in Sao Paulo. The Sao Paulo/ Guarulhos International Airport services domestic and international flights. This airport is located about 25 km outside of the Sao Paulo’s city center. The Congonhas-Sao Paulo Airport only services domestic flights. Private planes and jets can use the Campo de Marte airport.

When moving to Sao Paulo, Brazil with IntlMOVE Brazil, you will know that your household goods are in good hands while they are being shipped overseas. IntlMOVE Brazil will take the utmost care of your personal belongings, to help facilitate a stress free move. When are ready to plan your international move to Brazil, contact IntlMOVE Brazil for your free online shipping quote.

Brazil. This is the capital city of the state of Minas Gerais and is home to 5.4 million people if you include the official Metropolitan area.

IntlMOVE Brazil has put together some information on this thriving Brazilian city.

Climate in Belo Horizonte when Moving to Brazil

The tropical weather of Belo Horizonte will allow you to spend a lot of time outdoors. Temperatures throughout the year will range from 48 and 95 degreed Fahrenheit. During the winter months, which are opposite of the U.S. winters, can get chilly. The coldest month is typically in July and the hottest month in January.

In Brazil, winter starts in June, while summer begins in December. Make sure IntlMOVE Brazil ships warm and cool weather clothes to Brazil along with the rest of your household goods.

Things to Do in Belo Horizonte when Moving to Brazil

The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and filled with many parks. If you enjoy hiking, biking or other outdoor activities, you will love this city.

Music has an influential effect on the culture of this city. Belo Horizonte is well-known for its Indie music scene. Some of the more notable musical artists to come from this city include: Professor Dr. Andersen Viana, Wagner Tiso, Milton Nascimento, Toninho Horta and many more.

If you enjoy museums and theatre, Belo Horizonte has it all. Some of the museums include: the Abílio Barreto Historic Museum, Natural History Museum, Pampulha Art Museum and the UFMG Conservatory. Theatre is also big in this Brazilian city. There are theaters to see performances all year round and there are also a variety of festivals in Belo Horizonte. One festival you will definitely want to visit is the International Theater Festival of Belo Horizonte, which attracts people from all over the world.

Food in Belo Horizonte when Moving to Brazil

Enjoy a wide variety of Brazilian and other ethnic restaurants when dining in Belo Horizonte. Whether you are craving, pizza, barbecue or Thai food, you will find what you are looking for in this diverse city dedicated to culinary greatness. When moving to Brazil, you will want to try adult beverages made with cachaça, which is a distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice.

Transportation in Belo Horizonte when Moving to Brazil

IntlMOVE Brazil will ship your car to Brazil with your household goods. However, there is also public transportation to take you to where you need to go. There are busses and a metro system.

There are three airports in Belo Horizonte, so travel is made easy. Domestic and international flights can be taken from Tancredo Neves/Confins International Airport, which is located about 24 miles outside of the city. Pampulha – Carlos Drummond de Andrade Airport and Carlos Prates Airport are the other two airports.

Religion in Belo Horizonte when Moving to Brazil

Belo Horizonte is mainly comprised of people who follow a Christian religion. Almost 70 percent are catholic, about 18 percent are protestant and about 8 percent don’t practice a religion.

Brazil is a very diverse country with a lot to offer. When you are ready to move to Brazil, contact IntlMOVE Brazil for a free online quote to ship household goods from the U.S. to Brazil.

IntlMOVE Brazil has put together some basic tips to help you get your cable, Internet and utilities set up.

Setting Up Services

When you are setting up services, you may want to enlist the help of someone who speaks Portuguese if you only speak English. You can call the service providers, visit them online or go to stores that are set up locally. Although each service varies, you will likely need a passport or a Foreigner’s Identification Number (RNE). You will also need a CPF number, which is a taxpayer’s number. A Brazilian bank account might also be needed to directly debit your monthly fees.

Television

There are five major networks in Brazil: Band, RedeTV, Globo, Rede Record and SBT. You can get many other channels on cable. Satellite television is also available in Sao Paulo, but cable is more widely available. The three major service providers are: Net, Sky and Globo SAT. After setting up your account, a service technician will come within about five business days to set up the service.

Internet

The Internet service providers are: Brasil Telecom, POP, UOL, NET and GVT. There are also a lot of smaller providers. You will have a lot of options.

Telephone

There are two telephone service providers: Telefonica and Embratel. Either of these companies can help you with landlines.

Package Deals

Many providers offer packages, which include cable, landlines and Internet. These packages help you save money, as opposed to purchasing the services separately.

Cell Phones

Choose between pay-as-you-go or monthly services for cell phones in Sao Paulo. The companies are: TIM, Claro, Vivo and Oi. You can set up family plans if you are moving to Sao Paulo with children.

Electricity

In Sao Paulo, the electricity supplier is AES Eletropaulo. You can set up your services online or by calling the company. If you are renting, you will likely need the help of your landlord to set up the services. Make sure you take care of this before you actually move in. You do not want to go days without electricity as you wait to sort through the process of setting up the service.

Gas

When moving to Sao Paulo, you may need to set up gas. Comgás is the only provider of mains natural gas. You can also by gas by the bottle from different companies, such as Ultragaz or Liquigas. There are different distribution points for these two companies all over Sao Paulo.

Water and Waste

You will also need to speak with your landlord about turning on your water and waste services. Only the owners of properties can take care of this. The name of the water supply company in Sao Paulo is Sabesp.

When you are ready to move to Sao Paulo, Brazil, contact IntlMOVE Brazil when you are shipping your household goods from the U.S. to Brazil.

If you would like your children to attend an American school while living in Brazil, check out the Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro, known as the American School of Rio de Janeiro in English. Other international schools include: Rio International School and the British School Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to these schools, there are a wide variety of other school choices. There are public schools and private schools to choose from. However, unless your children already speak Portuguese, they will have a difficult time acclimating. Sending your children to an English-based school will help them adjust to their new country. The absence of the language barrier will also help your children adapt more quickly as they can make friends easily.

Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro

The Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro is located outside of the Rio de Janeiro in the surrounding suburbs. The school was founded in 1937 and provides education to children from nursery school through grade 12.

The English-based curriculum prepares students for college. In fact, over 95 percent of all graduating students enroll in college. The students are required to take Portuguese as a second language to help them thrive in their Brazilian surroundings. Students can earn three different diplomas – an American diploma, a Brazilian diploma and an International Baccalaureate diploma.

Rio International School

Rio International School (RIS) is located in Barra da Tijuca, which is a suburb outside of Rio de Janeiro. There are two buildings – one for elementary students and one for secondary students. Soccer is a favorite pastime in Brazil, so students attending Rio International School will find that it has two soccer fields.

The classes are taught in English, so if English is your children’s first language, they will feel right at home. This particular school integrates a variety of teaching styles, which include: inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, metacognition and technological integration. The different teaching styles cater to different students who learn in unique ways.

British School in Rio de Janeiro

The British School in Rio de Janeiro has a British-based curriculum. The bi-cultural environment also opens up the doors to children to learn about Brazilian culture, which helps them adjust to their new home.

This particular school caters to all ages of children. If you would like to enroll your children in a quality pre-nursery class, the school accepts children as young as two years old. The school is also open to students up to the age of 18. All of your children’s pre-collegiate educational needs can be met at this school. There are two locations – the pre-Nursery classes up to Class 11 unit are located in the South Zone (Zona Sul) of Rio de Janeiro.  A second location opened in 2006 in the suburb of Barra.

Choosing the right school for your children will help them succeed in Brazil. You may want to research and choose a school before finding a place to live. Living close to your children’s schools will help them shorten their daily commute. When you are moving to Brazil, contact IntlMOVE for your free online international shipping quote.

Almost 90 percent of residents in Brazil are affiliated with some sort of religion. About seven percent of the population does associate with a religion. Catholicism is the most prominent religion in Brazil. Nearly 75 percent of the residents in Brazil are Roman Catholic, which makes Brazil the country with the largest number of Catholics. In fact, the second largest basilica in the world, the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, is located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. There are regular pilgrimages to this Brazilian landmark.

Catholicism was recognized as Brazil’s official religion until 1891, when religious freedom was part of the first Republican Constitution. However, the religion played a strong role in politics until the 1970s.The religion is still influential in many cultural activities and festivals, such as the Círio de Nazar and the Festa do Divino.

If you do not practice Catholicism, there are other religious communities present in Brazil. The State of Rio de Janeiro has the smallest amount of practicing Catholics, which is a little more than 50 percent of the population. There is a high concentration of other denominations and religions in this multicultural city.

Other Christian denominations, such as Protestant, Baptist, Lutheran and Methodist, have churches in Brazil. The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil is a protestant church with more than 120,000 members. The states of Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina are home to the highest amount of Lutherans in the country. An estimated 500,000 people practice Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Brazil.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has over 1 million followers in Brazil. There are a few temples and hundreds of churches for this religion scattered throughout Brazil. There is also an increasing number of Jehovah’s Witnesses, with membership of over 700,000 members.

Other followers of major religions, such as Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, so expats can connect with these communities if they practice these religions. There are nearly 200,000 practicing Jews, 150,000Muslims and more than 215,000 Buddhists. Most practicing Jews live in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. There is a large Japanese Brazilian population, which accounts for the large population of Buddhists. Roughly 60 percent of the Japanese population in Brazil has converted to Christianity, but the Japanese culture still remains present in Brazil.

There are Kardescists or Spiritism practitioners, who follow the teachings of Allan Kardec, along with followers of Candomble and Umbanda. Candomble, a religion with West African origins, has the majority of followers living in larger cities. Umbanda is another religion that combines beliefs from indigenous religions, Spiritism and other African practices.

When moving to Brazil, get a free online IntlMOVE for excellent service and reliability when shipping your household goods from the U.S. to Brazil.

Finding a Job in Rio de Janeiro

Finding a job in Brazil can be time consuming, but don’t give up. Employers are looking for experienced professionals for consulting, tourism, teaching English in Brazil or development. Most full-time employers provide benefits, which should alleviate your healthcare concerns. Daily life in Rio de Janeiro is relaxed. Your work week will likely not exceed 44 hours per week. 

The first thing you will want to do is prepare a resume or a curriculum vitae (CV). One should be in English and an additional resume should be prepared in Portuguese. Similar to resumes in the United States, include your name, contact information, skills, education, work experience and references. If you are applying for international positions, include all languages you speak and your proficiency levels.

Network with as many people as possible and let them know you are seeking employment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Talk to personal contacts, but also try to connect with individuals through social media and expat websites. If you do not have any Brazilian contacts, join networking communities such as Network Brazil.

Find job opportunities on the Internet and in Brazilian newspapers. Research companies you want to work for and contact the human resources offices directly. You never know when there will be an unpublicized job opening. There are also government employment resources and global recruiters you can contact.

Find US companies that have international offices in Brazil and try to secure a job with these companies. You may be able to get these companies to pay for your relocation and international shipping expenses. The company based in the United States can also help you secure a work visa.

Interviews in Brazil

Relationships are very important in the Brazilian business culture. Your future employer will want to learn about your job skills, but also about you as a person. Interviews can last more than two hours, so block out ample time.

Dressing for the interview is extremely important. Offices tend to be more casual in the United States, with very few people wearing business suits. This is not the case in Australia. Make sure you dress in a business suit for your interview to look neat, clean and organized.

Applying for Work Visa in Brazil

If you plan on working in Brazil, you will need to apply for a work visa. Check with your local embassy or consulate for specific details, which can change often. However, there is some basic information you will need to know in order to get a job in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In order to secure a visa, the applicant must possess skills that are not readily available from Brazilian employees. You must have a formal education and professional experience to apply. There are a variety of visas you can apply for, depending on your situation. A Temporary V Visa can be obtained after securing a job when being transferred or hired for specialized knowledge. A permanent visa is available to executive employees who have Power of Attorney on behalf of a Brazilian company.

After you have found a job in Brazil, get a free online quote IntlMOVE Brazil to ship your household goods from the USA to Brazil.