Your first 90 days in Brazil: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The 90-day Federal Police registration window is the trap: missing it means 'irregular' status, fines and renewal problems — and appointment backlogs eat weeks, so booking is a day-one task.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
registro: register with the Polícia Federal to get the CRNM (migrant registry card)
Within 90 days of entry for temporary-visa holders (Decreto 9.199/2017)
The PF agendamento is booked online and slots in São Paulo/Rio run out; proof of address and the GRU fee receipt required; the protocolo serves as interim ID.
Get your CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas), from Receita Federal
Needed for practically everything: bank accounts, SIM cards, leases, online purchases, even pharmacy discounts.
Obtainable online or at a Brazilian consulate even before arrival — no residence permit needed.
Open a bank account
The CPF is the real key: digital banks (Nubank, Inter) open accounts with CPF plus a local address, while traditional banks also want the CRNM. FATCA forms are standard for US persons; Wise is widely used for funding.
Enrol in healthcare
SUS is universal and free — registration at the neighbourhood UBS with CPF and proof of address yields a Cartão SUS; private plans (Amil, Bradesco Saúde) are the middle-class norm for shorter waits.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign license is valid 180 days from entry; after that the full CNH process applies for Americans — no US reciprocity — with medical and psychological evaluations plus theory and practical exams at the state Detran.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Brazil: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Brazil?
registro: register with the Polícia Federal to get the CRNM (migrant registry card) — Within 90 days of entry for temporary-visa holders (Decreto 9.199/2017). The PF agendamento is booked online and slots in São Paulo/Rio run out; proof of address and the GRU fee receipt required; the protocolo serves as interim ID. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the CPF and do I need one?
CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas), from Receita Federal is Brazil's personal tax/ID number. Needed for practically everything: bank accounts, SIM cards, leases, online purchases, even pharmacy discounts. Obtainable online or at a Brazilian consulate even before arrival — no residence permit needed.
Can I drive in Brazil on a US license?
A foreign license is valid 180 days from entry; after that the full CNH process applies for Americans — no US reciprocity — with medical and psychological evaluations plus theory and practical exams at the state Detran. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Brazil?
SUS is universal and free — registration at the neighbourhood UBS with CPF and proof of address yields a Cartão SUS; private plans (Amil, Bradesco Saúde) are the middle-class norm for shorter waits. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Brazil's system treats foreign residents.