Al
@abthree
American and Brazilian citizen
Forum posts
6425
Contacts
32
About me
American and Brazilian
Speaks English, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, some Spanish
Registration: 28 December 2017
Activity
Emancipation Day: The Lei A煤rea of May 13, 1888
On May 13, 1888, 138 years ago, slavery was peacefully abolished in Brazil when the Lei A煤rea, the Golden Law, was signed by the Princess Regent Isabel, acting for her father, Emperor Pedro II, who was in Europe for medical treatment.聽 ... Read More
Another tax question鈥� by Kurterino
I had a little discussion with my accountant on Friday, and the gist of it is that he recommended to not file taxes at all, so I wanted to see how some of you guys are handling the tax situation. I鈥檓 getting a monthly pension from my home ...
05/13/26 @Kurterino. You're very welcome. My purpose here is to help other expats over the inevitable bumps of living in Brazil, and both my academic training and my professional background let me write comfortably about this kind of issue, not ... Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters鈥� or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
05/11/26 Thank you, @abthree. If you want to, tell us an example of the R$ cost for a typical Uber trip, say 20 kilometers in moderate traffic/time of day. Thanks in advance! - @alexanderstephenlange Following on from @mberigan's message, here are ... Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters鈥� or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
05/10/26 @mberigan. Gasoline and ethanol prices here in Manaus track yours in Campina Grande - on the other side of the country - to the centavo, including the weird reduction for "aditivada". I've wondered about that, too.For expats from North ... Read More
Social Security Monthly Payments by Roddie Simmons
Bom Dia or at least I hope it will be. I am late to the party of changing my Social Security residence information from the USA to Brazil. I have until the end of the year and among other things I would like to know if my monthly deposits to PayPal ...
05/08/26 Hi, @Roddie Simmons. Send your questions to the FBU (Federal Benefits Unit) at the US Embassy in Lisbon. If you can organize your questions in one email, that may help them help you. The contact information is ... Read More
Another tax question鈥� by Kurterino
I had a little discussion with my accountant on Friday, and the gist of it is that he recommended to not file taxes at all, so I wanted to see how some of you guys are handling the tax situation. I鈥檓 getting a monthly pension from my home ...
04/30/26 @Thomasteuscher. Note that according to Article 30 of the Treaty, it was signed in Portuguese, French, and English versions, all equally authoritative, but in the event of a divergence of interpretation, the English version will prevail. Read More
Another tax question鈥� by Kurterino
I had a little discussion with my accountant on Friday, and the gist of it is that he recommended to not file taxes at all, so I wanted to see how some of you guys are handling the tax situation. I鈥檓 getting a monthly pension from my home ...
04/29/26 Hello i am exactly in same situation as you. What did you do ? Let me know. My tax person here in rio thought that i need to claim swiss taxes paid on pension back from the swiss and pay full tax here ! - @Thomasteuscher Good evening. ... Read More
Work permit or a student visa - how was your experience? by emeraldoor
Has anyone gotten a work permit or a student visa? How was your experience?There are dozens of websites with general information, but not with more details. For example: When should you get the background check? How long is it valid for? Does Brazil ...
04/27/26 @emeraldoor.聽 Income requirements for Student Visas/Authorizations for Residence aren't specified.聽 The income requirements for a Digital Nomad visa (income of US$1,500/mo. or more, or US$18,000 in a bank account) or a Retirement ... Read More
Work permit or a student visa - how was your experience? by emeraldoor
Has anyone gotten a work permit or a student visa? How was your experience?There are dozens of websites with general information, but not with more details. For example: When should you get the background check? How long is it valid for? Does Brazil ...
04/27/26 @emeraldoor. Requirements for a student visa -- obtained outside Brazil at a Brazilian Consulate -- appear here:https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-chicago/Visas/types-of-visa-1/temporary-visas-vitem-1/vitem-iv-studiesRequirements for ... Read More
Feedback on Mail Forwarding Service / Virtual Address by Pablo888
I have a USPS mailbox where I send stuff related to my small business but USPS has increased prices for a small postal box from $120 about 5 years ago to $220 this year.In addition to the uncontrollable price increases because USPS is bleeding ...
04/27/26 @Ivair Gontijo. Sorry, you're right: US Global Mail seems to have changed their focus and radically increased their prices. I'm in what they're calling a "Legacy" program now that last billed me in Nov. 2025 and won't bill me again until ... Read More
Brazillian MigranteWeb by nicholsharvey
I have successfully gained access to the Brazil MigranteWeb. https://migrante.mj.gov.br/painel/cadastrar-processoI am trying to check on the status of my retirement visa renewal. I currently have a Brazillian retirement visa. I need a step-by-step ...
04/21/26 @nicholsharvey. So glad it worked for you! Read More
Brazillian MigranteWeb by nicholsharvey
I have successfully gained access to the Brazil MigranteWeb. https://migrante.mj.gov.br/painel/cadastrar-processoI am trying to check on the status of my retirement visa renewal. I currently have a Brazillian retirement visa. I need a step-by-step ...
04/20/26 @nicholsharvey. MigranteWeb came in after my time, but you might try inserting the process number from the Protocolo for your renewal here:https://migrante.mj.gov.br/consulta-publicaIf this doesn't get you what you're looking for, I hope ... Read More
Banking and transferring money from the U.S. by onthabay
Hello, My name is Rick. I live in a small town in the state of SP. I am married to a Brazilian, and I retired last year and we moved here. I have been trying to open a bank account in my name, showed them my CPF # and my permanent residencey card, ...
04/20/26 @easygoer1050. Thanks for the update. THAT sounds a lot better -- happy for you! It also speaks well of Remitly and Xoom that they credited your funds to accounts that they knew were yours, and didn't leave them sitting in their own ... Read More
Banking and transferring money from the U.S. by onthabay
Hello, My name is Rick. I live in a small town in the state of SP. I am married to a Brazilian, and I retired last year and we moved here. I have been trying to open a bank account in my name, showed them my CPF # and my permanent residencey card, ...
04/20/26 For expats (like me!) who do their banking and transfers around the first of every month, remember that May 1 is Labor Day in Brazil, so the banks, very much including foreign exchange operations, will be CLOSED next Friday.ATMs should ... Read More
Required Documents for Residency Based on Family Reunion in Brazil. by abthree
Please note聽 that this English translation is for informational purposes only, and is neither authoritative nor definitive.聽 The authoritative document in Portuguese on which this translation is based can be accessed through the link at ...
04/16/26 Because Vitem Xi is only good for a limited amount of time. The goal was to buy the home and live in Brazil full time. Mission accomplished. - @CraigDeVigia Someone apparently misinformed you: VITEM XI is the usual -- and so much easier -- ... Read More