duzzimenino
American expat in Brazil
Forum posts
71
About me
American
Speaks English, My Portuguese is improving every day.
Registration: 02 April 2022
98 lb dog to Brazil??? by sjpetzold
I am trying to move my 98 lb Giant Schnauzer to Brazil and it is becoming a nightmare! He needs such a large crate (700 size with possible extension) that most airlines that still move pets can鈥檛 move him due to the size. The only options that ...
@duzzimenino I should specify that the only way that I could get him here was through Lufthansa Pet Transport the dedicated service that exclusively flys animals in a pressurized transport plane and processes them through Frankfurt Read More
98 lb dog to Brazil??? by sjpetzold
I am trying to move my 98 lb Giant Schnauzer to Brazil and it is becoming a nightmare! He needs such a large crate (700 size with possible extension) that most airlines that still move pets can鈥檛 move him due to the size. The only options that ...
In 2022, I transported my 11-year-old Boston Terrier using Lufthansa Pet Transport, facilitated by a pet relocation service from LAX to GRU. Due to his brachycephalic breed, he had to travel in cargo. Here's my experience and opinion:I paid ... Read More
Can a CRNM be obtained without purchasing property or living in Rio by easygoer1050
Good afternoon All:Overall I have found these pages to be informative over the past.聽 I currently live in聽 Florida and I am married to a Brazillian woman for 7 years. We recently got our marriage certified in Brazil (who knew..lol)聽 I ...
@jonesio edited out. I鈥檒l DM Read More
Higher education certificate accredited by MEC for Naturalization. by Shahbaz Shaikh786
I am searching a lot about the naturalization and Portuguese proficiency certificate as on the Brazil government site one point says..( Completion of a higher education or postgraduate course, held at a Brazilian educational institution, accredited ...
@HighVoltage1045 I sent you a DM. On the issue of proficiency and not wanting to be redundant, they will give you a proficiency test. Read More
Higher education certificate accredited by MEC for Naturalization. by Shahbaz Shaikh786
I am searching a lot about the naturalization and Portuguese proficiency certificate as on the Brazil government site one point says..( Completion of a higher education or postgraduate course, held at a Brazilian educational institution, accredited ...
Hello,I am currently enrolled in FAAP's extensive course at its Higien贸polis campus in S茫o Paulo. I have experience with online courses and have also attended "Portugues por Estrangeiros" at Mackenzie University, which is also in ... Read More
NuBank, Wise, Remessa Online鈥�?? by Kurterino
So I recently got an account with NuBank (the purple one), and I seem to be able to do pretty much everything I wanted/need to, which is mostly use PIX, and get cash and pay with less fees than by using a foreign CC for everything.But here鈥檚 ...
I use Wise into my nubank account. Wise now supports PIX transfers and its instantaneous. You need to use the Website and not the phone app to do PIX transfers with Wise. Read More
Real Estate Prices in Brazil by sfcastro
I been looking at properties in Brazil for a couple of years in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. One observation that I find strange is that I see a number of properties that I have been tracking and despite the fact that they have not sold in over ...
I鈥檇 be interested to hear what @sprealestatebroker has to say about this subject. I鈥檝e noticed that there鈥檚 a ton of inventory here in Sao Paulo and alot of places sit unsold. My wife says some places can sit for 5 years or more. ... Read More
Brazil Consulate Information by roddiesho
Boa Tarde,I am just looking for some feedback, so if you know or do not know I appreciate the effort.In March 2023 I flew to Miami to get my FBI Background Check and fingerprinting.聽 Upon return we engaged the Guinness book of World Records ...
@dedecadaver I second Monument Visa. I used them to have my FBI background check apostilized and had a great experience. Fast, affordable, communicative, easy to use website. Read More
Merry Christmas to all by mberigan
Just to say, Merry Christmas!Sometimes, far from our origins and family this can be a time filled with longings for our origins. Well, here we are in another place in the current time. Make the best of where you are and who you are with.Merry ...
Feliz Natal! Eu agrade莽o a todos voc锚s! Read More
Moving to Brazil from USA, maintaining residency, etc. by brazil_cyberpat
I will be moving to Brazil in March 2020 for at least 5 years. I plan to working remote (USA job) and fly back quarterly. I plan to follow the Escapees RV Club model for Domicile in Florida with Mail options (scan mail from a physical address and ...
@sprealestatebroker a verdade. Read More
Which country is more dangerous - the USA or Brazil? by Peter Itamaraca
Well, according to the new Global Peace Index produced by the Institute for Economica and Peace, in 129th place there is Haiti, 130th South Africa, 131st is the USA and 132nd is Brazil... Mexico is 136th, Turkey 147th, Who would have thought that, ...
I鈥檝e lived in Sao Paulo for over a year and I can report that deranged killers aren鈥檛 shooting up people in shopping malls, schools, and churches like they are all over the United States. I鈥檇 take having my phone stolen from out of ... Read More
What annoys you about Brazil? by Peter Itamaraca
We all know that Brazil has a fantastic climate, a very low comparable cost of living, friendly laid-back people and amazing beaches and nature. But what really gets your goat, as this might help people considering moving here? Some examples might ...
I鈥檝e been here alittle over a year and have seen this play out with my father in law. he was in the court system for 10 years and two lawyers because the first one seemed to be charging for services that werent being performed and the second ... Read More
Cheddar Cheese in Brasil? by alan279
Anyone know where I can buy cheddar cheese in Brazil?Thanks for any advice.Alan
I know that feel, bro. I miss sharp cheddar. Seems like cheddar and durable trash bags are hard to come by here in Sampa. I just bought cheese that looked like cheddar at Tre Mais. It wasn鈥檛 cheddar. Though, I found real quality 30 gallon ... Read More
Private Health Insurance by nicholsharvey
My wife and I are looking for private health insurance to cover major medical and surgeries. We can handle out of pocket expense for routine doctor or specialist visits. Any recommendations. AmerSul, Unimed or any others? We are retired expats with ...
What is your price range? What are your expectations of care? For me continuity of care,聽 I.e. centrally stored access to digital medical information, and equal standards of infrastructure found in, say, an HMO like Kaiser Permanente in ... Read More
Where are we headed by blitzerr77
I have been thinking and have been listening to some of the pods . There are lots of things happening in last few years as if they events have just sped up at exponential speed .We had COVID which killed tens of thousands of us and then as ...
I generally feel optimistic about the US. However, one irony I see strongly. There were friends and family who thought I was nuts to leave my career in healthcare and move to S茫o Paulo, Brazil. They pointed to the random violence and poverty. ... Read More
recommendation for rent near bom retiro by Kris Kim
hello, i am requesting recommendation for renting an apartment near bom retiro. I prefer this because I am korean and would like to have access to korean grocery. I know it will cost more to live in a safer area but I guess I'm looking for ...
@Kris Kim out of curiosity, how much? Read More
Banking Fraud by sprealestatebroker
Just a general warning to all..Since COVID, retail banking fraud has been on a spike.Just yesterday, one elderly gentlemen was taken by an Banking Branch ATM ( Bradesco, specifically ), where he was directed to use a "contaminated ATM" by a ...
@sprealestatebroker All spot on advice @sprealestatebrokerLast year this time two guys ran a scam on my mother-in-law in a Bradesco ATM lobby in Sao Paulo. They got out the door and went in two different directions. I got lucky and chased the one ... Read More
Twenty Questions by roddiesho
Ok, so they don't have to be 20 but I'd appreciate your best advice.My very resourceful Brazilian wife has arranged a first meeting next week聽with a bilingual lawyer to handle our Permanent Resident by Spouse Visa.What questions should I ask ...
How much will it cost? Read More
Where is the best place to live/invest/stay in Brazil? by Peter Itamaraca
Opinions/thoughts/idea/suggestions?
S茫o Paulo 茅 o melhor! Read More
BRINGING PET TO BRASIL by cindylido
Anyone out there have recent ( in 2023 ) experience bringing dog from U.S.A. to Brasil ?American airlines told me I can no longer check my dog in for the same flight as me except for military personnel.Say I have to go through cargo and broker. My ...
I just brought two dogs from LAX to GRU 11/2022. One dog flew Lufthansa Pet Cargo (Boston Terrier) the other dog (small terrier) flew in Cabin Latam. I used a transfer company in LA for Lufthansa ($5000) no issue, and the small dog cost$200. My vet ... Read More
Opening first bank account - Any recommendations? by GuestPoster9310
I am doing a bit of research about bank accounts in Brasil. My idea is to use it wherever my UK card isn't accepted and also for PIX transfers. Not planning to hold much money in that account. I will make small transfers from the UK using Western ...
@duzzimenino PS my CRNM was ready for pickup in a month in S茫o Paulo. Read More
Opening first bank account - Any recommendations? by GuestPoster9310
I am doing a bit of research about bank accounts in Brasil. My idea is to use it wherever my UK card isn't accepted and also for PIX transfers. Not planning to hold much money in that account. I will make small transfers from the UK using Western ...
A few steps ahead of you. I opened a Nubank account a month ago. Pix is wonderful. Transfer money from Wise Is instantaneous. Download Nubank鈥檚 app and the whole thing takes a few hours to verify. Nubank app has a 鈥渕odo rua鈥� that ... Read More
Where do I pick up my RNE? by acpr
I'm here on a temporary 1-yr residency visa and I went to the PF in Rio in January to get my photo taken and fingerprints done, as well as hand over all the paperwork. They rushed me out at the end and just told me to wait for an email. I never got ...
I received an email after my appointment for my RNE at the PF in S茫o Paulo. It had a link to a website. I used the application number on the receipt that was given to me from my appointment to check the status. It was available around 30 ... Read More
Financial advisors in Brazil by alevinthal
can you recommend a fee-only financial advisor in Brazil? I am interested in worldwide investments.
鈥淭hey make commissions on your trading activity, generally splitting the fee that the associated brokerage would normally charge.鈥� -BRBCThat sounds like a potential for a whole lot of 鈥渃hurning.鈥� What, if any, fiduciary laws ... Read More
Pet Transport by Vera GauchaAmerican
Considering taking my pet to Brasil in about one year from the US.Does anyone shipped the pet from Los Angeles.Does anyone recommend a reputable company.If I take the pet as extra baggage on my flight or have it shipped as cargo,it would cost much ...
@Getting on From the US the vet has to be USDA certified. So I guess that鈥檚 like a government official. Brazil is relatively easy on customs. The main requirement is rabies. If your pet is not up to date and needs to get re immunized, know ... Read More
Communication in Portuguese - Stranger in a Strange Land by amsp
I am an American living in Sao Paulo since 2019. I speak some Portuguese and understand more. I've taken several Portuguese classes and currently take 3 hours of private lessons a week. I'm really trying to improve. I own my own business ...
@abthree 鈥淎nother one is that you'll never teach all of Brazil your idea of manners one Brazilian at a time; only madness and heart attacks lie that way. Brazil will never adjust itself to you, so to be happy, you have to find ways to adjust ... Read More
Brazilian Nationality vs.Permanent Residency by Roddie Simmons
In another post they spoke of a language test that was taken to get Brazilian Citizenship, but is not necessary for a Permanent Residency Visa.i am currently working on my Permanent Residency by Spouse Visa.What are the Pros and Cons of Permanent ...
@abthree Thank you. I just left the PF in Lapa after being granted a residency permit and the supervisor said that I am eligible for naturalization after one year. But this clears up, for me as to the why. Besides, the way my Portuguese is going, ... Read More
Residency Visa - Proof of address by matthewcovell
Hello,First time posting here, so hello to everyone!We have found ourselves in a difficult situation during the residency visa application process and Im hoping someone can offer some advice.I am married to my Brazilian partner and currently in ...
If it is on you and you don鈥檛 have a CPF then you鈥檒l have to get one first. I had the same issue for my VITEM. Went to TIM they wouldn鈥檛 work with me without a credit history. Went to Vivo and got a contract. I had to send over ... Read More
Money Transfers by Alstromeria55
Hello. I just joined this group and will be moving to Aracaju, Brazil in less than two months. I will be keeping my bank account in the USA and was wondering about what to do about transferring funds. internatinal wire transfers are expensive. My ...
@orlandocolon7 I am looking into this, but you have to prove at least 6 months residency in a foreign address. Read More
Money Transfers by Alstromeria55
Hello. I just joined this group and will be moving to Aracaju, Brazil in less than two months. I will be keeping my bank account in the USA and was wondering about what to do about transferring funds. internatinal wire transfers are expensive. My ...
@Zain Awan My wise app doesn鈥檛 have brl on the list as currency to convert. I can transfer $ in brl to individuals, but all my purchases and ATM withdrawals are converted from dollars and carry a small transaction fee. Read More
Money Transfers by Alstromeria55
Hello. I just joined this group and will be moving to Aracaju, Brazil in less than two months. I will be keeping my bank account in the USA and was wondering about what to do about transferring funds. internatinal wire transfers are expensive. My ...
I too love Wise. But one draw back that I鈥檝e read, but haven鈥檛 dealt with yet is that if you lose you card they only send replacement cards to US adresses. Which can be a pain if you need it fast. Once I get residency I was thinking of ... Read More
Problems with paying in stores with international cards by ltoby955
Has anyone managed to resolve the problem with debit and credit card machines in stores and restaurants here? The machine doesn't recognise the cards and yet they atm's do. My partner is worried about me carrying cash and she ends up using her card ...
Before moving here I got a wise card. I use it instead of cards tied to my bank accounts. I transfer smaller sums onto it $250-300 and enjoy the convenience. Once I get residency I will use the same strategy with nubank or C6 and enjoy even more ... Read More
Permanent residency by timhoffnagle
Here's a little encouraging news for those of you who may be trying to get permanent residency in Brasil. It seems that the bureaucracy is not as strict as you might think. I hired an attorney to help with the process (advisable) and she was able ...
@abthree This is exactly what my cousin, who handles alot of immigration cases, especially from mid east countries, said to me. Read More
Permanent residency by timhoffnagle
Here's a little encouraging news for those of you who may be trying to get permanent residency in Brasil. It seems that the bureaucracy is not as strict as you might think. I hired an attorney to help with the process (advisable) and she was able ...
When scheduling my appointment with the PF in late November of this year, I didn鈥檛 get an appointment until mid January next year. No big deal, but the turn around was not in a few days. Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Brazil by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to ...
@Bigsexy I totally agree with you. I went to Brazil for three months to live with my wife's family and see if I liked it. Someone I met in a store who spoke English and turned out to be my first Brazilian friend introduced me to the聽Jiu Jitsu ... Read More
THe impact of the new president by ltoby955
Those that know the system here, will it become easier to migrate to here or harder under the new regime?
@Inubia "...Those attitudes do not do well in Brazil, in this culture people expect you to be gentle, calm, helpful and nice and respectful with the people you do business with, and they will hurt you behind your back if you dont meet their ... Read More
Quickest way to get an FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille by duzzimenino
Hello,I apologize in advance. I realize this subject has been touched upon before in the forum, but I am having a hard time finding it. I am returning in a month to Brazil and need to bring my FBI Background Check with apostille to Brazil. What is ...
@abthree Yeah I just didn鈥檛 have time coordinating moving-pets and all-I just decided to do it in Brazil. Too many moving parts and with a ticket in hand in the end I didn鈥檛 want to risk missing a deadline because of a holdup with the ... Read More
Quickest way to get an FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille by duzzimenino
Hello,I apologize in advance. I realize this subject has been touched upon before in the forum, but I am having a hard time finding it. I am returning in a month to Brazil and need to bring my FBI Background Check with apostille to Brazil. What is ...
@abthree Thank you for the reminder. Yes I will get those translated. I think the process of registering my wife's first marriage and divorce was a little protracted because her first marriage and divorce was in the United States. So she had to get ... Read More
Quickest way to get an FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille by duzzimenino
Hello,I apologize in advance. I realize this subject has been touched upon before in the forum, but I am having a hard time finding it. I am returning in a month to Brazil and need to bring my FBI Background Check with apostille to Brazil. What is ...
So perhaps this is to clarify my own confusion, but:When preparing your FBI background check to apply for VITEM "IN" Brazil:The FBI check from the FBI channeler that you use in the United States can be digital. You don't have to wait to have it ... Read More
How to deal with stress when moving to Brazil by Priscilla
Moving abroad is no easy feat. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, so we invite you to share some insights regarding this topic. What are the main factors that contribute to stress when moving to Brazil (cultural adaptation, ...
@jtp_redson Hahaha, I am an American, born and raised (California) and I feel EXACTLY as you do. I live in SP. I LOVE this city! Thank you for sharing. Read More
Quickest way to get an FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille by duzzimenino
Hello,I apologize in advance. I realize this subject has been touched upon before in the forum, but I am having a hard time finding it. I am returning in a month to Brazil and need to bring my FBI Background Check with apostille to Brazil. What is ...
Thank all of you for your help!! I really appreciate this community. Given bureaucracy, I understand that we are not talking about a perfect science. What I have gleaned from here, so far, is: I will be applying for my VITEM XI in Brazil. So what I ... Read More
Quickest way to get an FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille by duzzimenino
Hello,I apologize in advance. I realize this subject has been touched upon before in the forum, but I am having a hard time finding it. I am returning in a month to Brazil and need to bring my FBI Background Check with apostille to Brazil. What is ...
Thank you, rraypo. Read More
Quickest way to get an FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille by duzzimenino
Hello,I apologize in advance. I realize this subject has been touched upon before in the forum, but I am having a hard time finding it. I am returning in a month to Brazil and need to bring my FBI Background Check with apostille to Brazil. What is ...
@Cakinator Thank you for your response. I see that some folks have used Monument and National Apostille service. I understand you issue with using a service. I have 45 days left of time on a Tourist Visa in Brazil. 1) Can I not get finger printed ... Read More
Problems with paying in stores with international cards by ltoby955
Has anyone managed to resolve the problem with debit and credit card machines in stores and restaurants here? The machine doesn't recognise the cards and yet they atm's do. My partner is worried about me carrying cash and she ends up using her card ...
@ltoby955 Bummer. So you are having them send it to a friend in the US and then your friend forwards the card to you? Read More
Quickest way to get an FBI Identity History Summary and Apostille
Hello,I apologize in advance. I realize this subject has been touched upon before in the forum, but I am having a hard time finding it. I am returning in a month to Brazil and need to bring my FBI Background Check with apostille to Brazil. What is ... Read More
Problems with paying in stores with international cards by ltoby955
Has anyone managed to resolve the problem with debit and credit card machines in stores and restaurants here? The machine doesn't recognise the cards and yet they atm's do. My partner is worried about me carrying cash and she ends up using her card ...
@ltoby955 Yes, that is an issue. I received mine in the US. Read More
Problems with paying in stores with international cards by ltoby955
Has anyone managed to resolve the problem with debit and credit card machines in stores and restaurants here? The machine doesn't recognise the cards and yet they atm's do. My partner is worried about me carrying cash and she ends up using her card ...
I got a wise card. Only ever kept $150 USD on it. Never used wireless function on mobile card processing machines esp. out in public. Always inserted the card and as previously stated, always ran it as 鈥渃r茅dito鈥� Never got ... Read More
ATM withdraw fees/best exchange rates by jasonlovesdogs
Hello,I searched the forum and couldn't find an answer to this question. Does anyone know the best Brazilian banks that have the least ATM withdraw fees and exchange rates? I recently went to a Carefour here in Brasilia and felt like I got robbed in ...
@madrac Totally. They create a range and give you the low end. It is on the ATM receipt. Same machine with the Wise card, you get the rate at that time. No range estimate. Read More
ATM withdraw fees/best exchange rates by jasonlovesdogs
Hello,I searched the forum and couldn't find an answer to this question. Does anyone know the best Brazilian banks that have the least ATM withdraw fees and exchange rates? I recently went to a Carefour here in Brasilia and felt like I got robbed in ...
I got a wise card and used it at ATMs. My experience is primarily with Bradesco and there was quite a difference between the fees taken when I withdrew funds from my US banks debit card and when I used the wise card. The wise card was much cheaper ... Read More
How to Stay in Brazil as a US Citizen by jasonlovesdogs
Hello,I have several questions on this topic that I would appreciate the help. I am a US citizen and just retired at age 50 as a law enforcement officer. I would like to be able to stay in Brazil for an extended amount of time, maybe as a permanent ...
@jasonlovesdogs聽Hello, from S茫o Paulo. I was born and raised in Fresno. Between the Tower District and Roeding Park. My experience totally helps me here. I wish you the best that Brazil has to offer. I love it here in S茫o Paulo. ... Read More
Maintaining US phone while in Brazil by rnbtg
Does anyone have a solution for texts and using a us cell phone while in Brazil? I ported to google voice but can鈥檛 receive or make calls for some reason. Lots of banks and stuff use your phone number. I鈥檝e found some work around via ...
@rraypo聽That is really strange I鈥檓 in Zona Norte and I haven鈥檛 had any problems at all making calls to the US. But really I鈥檓 only retaining my Ting account for two reasons: 1) I鈥檓 returning to the US in a few months for ... Read More
Maintaining US phone while in Brazil by rnbtg
Does anyone have a solution for texts and using a us cell phone while in Brazil? I ported to google voice but can鈥檛 receive or make calls for some reason. Lots of banks and stuff use your phone number. I鈥檝e found some work around via ...
@MA22聽No I pay around $1 per minute, so I鈥檝e kept my conversations short, but my main reason to keep my US cell phone here in Brazil is for two-step verifications with financial institutions in the US.聽 Read More
Maintaining US phone while in Brazil by rnbtg
Does anyone have a solution for texts and using a us cell phone while in Brazil? I ported to google voice but can鈥檛 receive or make calls for some reason. Lots of banks and stuff use your phone number. I鈥檝e found some work around via ...
@rnbtg聽 I maintain my US cell phone through ting. I don鈥檛 have connectivity issues with it at all here in S茫o Paulo. Only pay for what I use. International roaming, no data roaming. After getting a CPF number I got a pay as I go ... Read More
Money transfer to Brazil. Opinions are welcome by GringoLouco
I have a euro account and plan to have a wedding party in Brazil, in 2022. I asked my local bank to convert 10 000 euros to reais, because the pandemic weakened the real a lot. It would make the wedding more affordable. But my bank doesn't do ...
@dalezuk聽What do you mean "instant conversion where visa/Mastercard is accepted" Point of sale or ATM withdraw? Read More