Brazil VITEM XIV digital nomad visa for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Brazil's VITEM XIV digital nomad visa? No, per the Consulate-General of Brazil in New York: the visa is only for remote professionals working for a foreign employer and is not available to business owners. The underlying resolution also accepts a services contract with a foreign employer, so a freelancer with a foreign client contract may fit, but a founder applying through their own company is excluded on that consulate's reading. Work for local clients or employers is barred. Income needed: At least US$1,500 a month from a foreign paying source, or at least US$18,000 available in a bank account.
Brazil's VITEM XIV digital nomad visa, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | VITEM XIV is a temporary visa under Brazilian immigration policy for digital nomads, for stays over 90 days. | gov.br |
| Income | Proof of at least US$1,500 a month in income, or at least US$18,000 in an accessible bank account. | gov.br |
| Own company | The New York consulate states plainly that business owners cannot use this visa. | gov.br |
| Requirements | Only for professionals whose work is fully remote and done for a foreign employer. | gov.br |
| Own company | The resolution accepts an employment contract, a services contract or other proof of a link with a foreign employer (translated from Portuguese). | gov.br |
| Local work | Anyone working, employed or not, for an employer in Brazil does not count as a digital nomad (translated from Portuguese). | gov.br |
| Stay | Initial residence of up to 1 year (translated from Portuguese). | gov.br |
| Stay | Residence can be renewed for the same period (translated from Portuguese). | gov.br |
| Fee | US$290 visa fee at the Consulate-General of Brazil in New York. | gov.br |
| How to apply | Apply at a Brazilian consulate, or if already in Brazil, apply for residence authorisation to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (translated from Portuguese). | gov.br |
| Health insurance | Health insurance valid in Brazil is required, along with a criminal record check. | gov.br |
| Tax | Under Article 17 of Brazil's Income Tax Regulation (Decreto 9.580/2018), someone on a temporary visa without a Brazilian employment contract is taxed as a resident once they stay more than 183 days, consecutive or not, within 12 months of an arrival (translated from Portuguese). | planalto.gov.br |
Questions founders ask about Brazil
- Can I run my own company on the Brazil VITEM XIV digital nomad visa?
- No, per the Consulate-General of Brazil in New York: the visa is only for remote professionals working for a foreign employer and is not available to business owners. The underlying resolution also accepts a services contract with a foreign employer, so a freelancer with a foreign client contract may fit, but a founder applying through their own company is excluded on that consulate's reading.
- Can I work for clients in Brazil on it?
- Barred. Resolution CNIg 45/2021 says anyone working, employed or not, for an employer in Brazil is not a digital nomad under the scheme.
- How much income do I need for the Brazil VITEM XIV digital nomad visa?
- At least US$1,500 a month from a foreign paying source, or at least US$18,000 available in a bank account.
- How much does the Brazil VITEM XIV digital nomad visa cost?
- US$290 at the Consulate-General of Brazil in New York (consular fees vary by consulate and nationality). Applying from inside Brazil carries a separate residence processing fee (GRU), amount not confirmed. That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Brazil VITEM XIV digital nomad visa?
- Initial residence of up to 1 year, renewable for the same period. The pages read do not say it leads to permanent residence.
- Do I become tax resident in Brazil?
- Under Article 17 of Brazil's Income Tax Regulation (Decreto 9.580/2018), someone on a temporary visa without a Brazilian employment contract is taxed as a resident once they stay more than 183 days, consecutive or not, within 12 months of an arrival (translated from Portuguese). A visa doesn't settle where you pay tax, so take advice on your own case.
Other countries
Colombia · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Estonia · Greece · Hungary · Indonesia · Italy · Japan · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Temporary visa VITEM XIV for digital nomads (Resolução Normativa CNIg MJSP 45 of 9 September 2021)
- Own company
- No
- Local clients
- Barred
- Stay
- Initial residence of up to 1 year, renewable for the same period. The pages read do not say it leads to permanent residence.
- Government fee
- US$290 at the Consulate-General of Brazil in New York (consular fees vary by consulate and nationality). Applying from inside Brazil carries a separate residence processing fee (GRU), amount not confirmed.
- Official page
- gov.br
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check gov.br before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.