How to Become a Citizen in Brazil

By Geoffrey Weed, eHow Contributing Writer

Brazil, a Portuguese-speaking South American nation, is the fifth largest, and fifth most populous, country in the world. Those who wish to become citizens of this already populous nation are required to meet certain specific conditions before their citizenship request will be granted by the Brazilian government.


Things You'll Need:

• Fluency in Portuguese
• Desirable Job Prospects

Here's how to become a citizen of Brazil:

STEP 1: Get a Brazilian visa. This will allow you to reside in Brazil for a certain period of time as a non-citizen.

STEP 2: Reside in Brazil for a period of at least 4 years. Don't leave the country for more than a brief period of time during these 4 years.

STEP 3: Become gainfully employed in Brazil. The better your job, and the higher paying it is, the better your chances of your citizenship request begin granted by the Brazilian government.

STEP 4: Provide a letter of introduction to the Brazilian consulate. This letter of introduction must be from a current resident of Brazil who recommends you as a good prospective citizen.

STEP 5: Learn to speak Portuguese fluently. You must demonstrate that you can read and write Portuguese fluently in order to be considered for citizenship in Brazil.

STEP 6: Make sure your taxes are all in order. If you owe any back taxes to the Brazilian government then your citizenship request will be denied.

STEP 7: Provide documentation that you are in good health.

STEP 8: Prove that you have not been sentenced to any prison terms of more than 1 year in any other country in which you've resided.

STEP 9: Fill out the appropriate paperwork and file it with the Brazilian consulate.


Tips & Warnings

• Owning a company of some kind that is based in Brazil will help speed your citizenship process along.
• Marrying a Brazilian citizen will speed the process up immensely, but you will still need to meet the same criteria and prove it to the government.
• Males who wish to become Brazilian citizens should note that upon becoming a citizen they may immediately be subject to service in the armed forces of Brazil, depending upon circumstances.

 

I'll wait for the german and Australian versions. lol

 

Next is the british citizenship thread lol

 

From 1808 to 1940 immigrants came to Brazil from over 50 nations all over the world; most were from Portugal, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, Russia, France, Spain, Turkey, the British Isles, and other South American countries.

The immigrants hailing from Europe, the Middle East and Asia (Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Jews, Syrians and Lebanese, Japanese) all made a major contribution to the ethnic make-up of the Brazilian people, especially in the Center-South and South of the country. Brazil has inherited a diversified ethnic stock with values and outlooks that vary from one segment to another within the confines of a single, shared nationality.

Read more: Immigration to Brazil

 

Note that Brazil is a melting pot of races and nationalities while having the highest degree of intermarriage in the world.

 

You can get a Brazilian citizenship in less than 4 years. Here's how:

• If the resident has a Brazilian wife or child, he can apply for citizenship after one year
• If he has certain professional, scientific or artistic abilities, he is eligible for Brazilian citizenship after two years
• Three years of permanent residence entitles foreigners for a citizenship who own a property or business of a certain value

 

The Brazilian law allows dual citizenship.

However, for holding two nationalities both countries involved (in this case Brazil and your home country) have to allow dual citizenships. For further information check the regulations of your home country.

 

For Americans there are no requirements.... Nothing draconian anyway.

Easiest way, marry a local.

In the EU you usually have to apply for a Work Visa, then Permanent Residency.

I wouldn't bother with dual citizenship. If you marry a local, you're effectively a citizen and all the social programs and work related laws will apply to you. As long as you work above the table, you'll get Health Care. If you have children they'll qualify for school like any other kids do, plus any child/parent services.

The hardest thing is getting a Work Visa. Most Mutli-National Companies will pay all the fees and everything to ship your butt to Europe. But getting on locally without speaking the local language is going to be tough.

I mention this before, but its worth repeating; I met an American who met this Au Pair Swedish girl. They fell in love and he decided to go back to Sweden with her when she decided to come back. The relationship hit the rocks soon afterwards because he was unable to find work. English is widely spoken but he still found it hard to get work. He finally got a job being a cashier at a casino in Downtown Stockholm. They were never able to repair the damage done, she was resentful. His version of the story obviously but why lie about something that painful? Anyway he was headed back to the States because she left him and most of his pay was going to pay the rent.

If you want to become an expat and live in Europe, I would recommend -

Belgium: English is the official second language of the country. In Brussels there are many English language schools as well. If you have needed job skills you could work for a local company and even the European Union, which is located there or NATO, same thing.

Brussels also has a vibrant African immigrant and citizen population since Belgium used to rule the Congo.

I wouldn't even bother learning German, Flemish or French, less chance of offending somebody as there a deep divide in the country.

As I also said, if you meed a nice Belgian Woman and you have kids, there are English Language Schools and Universities in Brussels.

The Netherlands: English is widely spoken and taught early (grade school), all but the remote villager will understand you. There is a fairly large expat community as well with quite a few Americans, especially in Amsterdam.

Since the children are taught English early, its more than likely your children will speak at least two languages if not three by the time they hit High School.

Finding a job might be a bit harder but not impossible. Many companies will hire a native English speaker. These are usually companies that have International Clients or deal in an industry where English is widely spoken, like anything IT Related.

Because cars are really expensive in much of the EU, I would highly suggest buying a car State said and having it shipped. This was what I was going to do with my cars and still would if and when the time comes. It cost about $3,000 to ship your car in a container, but its worth it. Make sure its a diesel or 4 cylinder because gas is not cheap like it is in the US (artificiality).

Sky carries much US Programing and they also get NBA and NFL games, you won't miss anything.

High Speed Internet is cheap about $40 for 8MB Down

Rent is somewhat high, if rental prices concern you, you might wanna think about Berlin, Germany one of the cheapest places to live in Europe. It also has the highest unemployment rate, so choose carefully.

Public Transportation is very good all over Europe, you don't need to have a car and Amsterdam is very Bike centric. I'm a car nut so its not even a option, I have to have a car. Parking will be a challenge, especially if you live in-city somewhere. If you live on the outskirts its not that big a deal. Its the same way in any US major city, if live among tall buildings and brownstone type housing, this is mostly an East Coast thing, but San Fransisco in the Mission District is like that as well.

Recapping -

1) Amsterdam, The Netherlands my first choice

2) Brussels, Belgium my 2nd choice, if you have a high tech degree, could be good place for you. Centralized location, the country touches France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands.

3) Berlin, Germany, its cheap (by EU standards) its the Capital of Germany, the arty-farty place to be and if you marry a nice looking German girl, there are English Language schools for your kids to go.

Honorable Mentions -

a) Copenhagen, Demark Super Expensive To Own a car there, but Google "Positive List" That is page on the Danish Immigration site that list the careers they need NOW.

b) Stockholm, Sweden as with most of Scandinavian they aren't anti-car but they make it expensive to own and operate one. Plus its SNOWS ALOT and you have the Midnight Sun and the Forever Night.

Those are the only downsides as I see it... Big Ones though for me.