Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Palhoca

About Dependent Visa Law in Palhoca, Brazil

Brazil offers a temporary visa and a residence status for family reunion, commonly called a dependent visa. It allows close family members to live in Brazil with a sponsor who is either a Brazilian citizen or a foreign national who holds lawful residence or a qualifying temporary visa. The legal framework is federal and applies in Palhoca just as it does throughout Brazil. The primary sources are the Brazilian Migration Law Law No. 13.445 of 2017 and its regulation Decree No. 9.199 of 2017, along with ministerial norms that detail document and procedural requirements. Under these rules, eligible dependents include spouses, partners in a recognized stable union, minor children, certain adult children who are financially dependent or have a disability, parents of Brazilian citizens or residents, and in specific cases other relatives with judicial guardianship or custody.

Applicants may seek a temporary visa for family reunion at a Brazilian consulate abroad before traveling, or they may apply for residence based on family ties from within Brazil. After arrival, dependents must register with the Federal Police to obtain the National Migration Registration Card known as CRNM. The process involves proving the family relationship, presenting clean criminal certificates for adults, showing valid travel documents, and providing translations and apostilles for foreign documents when required.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many families complete the process on their own, but legal counsel can be valuable in several situations. If you need to prove a stable union rather than a formal marriage, a lawyer can guide you through the required declarations and notarial steps. If you have foreign documents that need apostille and sworn translation, a lawyer can help you identify the correct legalization path and avoid rejections. If the sponsor or the dependent has a complex immigration history, prior overstays, or pending proceedings, legal advice can help manage risks and cure deficiencies before filing. If your case involves shared custody, adoption, adult dependents with disabilities, or guardianship orders, a lawyer can prepare the correct evidence to meet Brazilian standards. If you receive a request for additional documents or a denial, counsel can assist with appeals or with refiling in the correct category. A local attorney familiar with Santa Catarina practice can also help you secure appointments with the Federal Police, coordinate notary services, and register marriages or stable unions as needed.

Local Laws Overview

Brazilian immigration law is federal, so the legal criteria are the same in Palhoca as in other cities. However, procedure and logistics are local. Residents of Palhoca typically register and file residence applications with the Federal Police units that serve Greater Florianopolis. Appointment availability, document intake, and processing times can vary by local office.

Key points that matter locally include registration deadlines and document form. If you enter Brazil with a family reunion visa, you must register with the Federal Police within the deadline stated on your entry stamp, commonly within 90 days. If you request residence authorization in Brazil based on family ties, you generally submit forms and fees online and then attend a biometrics appointment where you present originals. Foreign civil documents must be legalized with a Hague apostille in the issuing country and translated in Brazil by a sworn public translator registered with the state commercial registry. Local notary offices cartorios in Santa Catarina can issue declarations for stable unions and authenticate signatures, which can be crucial for partners who are not married. Fees are paid via government payment slips and change periodically, so you should verify current amounts before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies as a dependent for Brazilian family reunion purposes

Eligible dependents generally include a spouse, a partner in a recognized stable union, children under 18, adult children who are financially dependent or who have a disability that prevents self support, parents of a Brazilian citizen or resident, and minors under guardianship or custody by court order. Same sex spouses and partners are recognized. Evidence of the relationship and, where applicable, dependency is required.

Can an unmarried partner apply as a dependent

Yes. Brazil recognizes a stable union known as uniao estavel. You must document the relationship through a declaration, which can be formalized at a notary, plus supporting evidence such as joint residence, shared finances, or children in common. Foreign proof of partnership may also be used if properly apostilled and translated.

Do dependents have the right to work and study in Brazil

Yes. Residence based on family reunion generally authorizes the dependent to work and study in Brazil. Minors are subject to child labor laws. Once registered, the dependent can obtain a CPF tax number and work contract, enroll in school, and access social services in accordance with general law.

Where do Palhoca residents submit their application

If applying from abroad, you file at a Brazilian consulate with jurisdiction over your residence. If applying in Brazil, Palhoca residents typically complete online forms and then attend an in person registration and biometrics appointment at the Federal Police unit that serves the Greater Florianopolis area. Always check the local Federal Police site for scheduling and document lists.

What documents are usually required

Common documents include a valid passport, birth or marriage certificate or a stable union declaration, criminal background certificates for adults from the countries where the applicant lived in the last years, proof of lawful entry or residence basis, recent photos, proof of address in Brazil, proof of dependency when required, and payment receipts. Foreign civil documents must usually carry a Hague apostille and a sworn translation in Portuguese.

How long does the process take

Timelines vary. Consular family reunion visas can take a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the post. Residence requests filed in Brazil often take between one and six months from submission to CRNM card issuance, depending on caseload and whether the file is complete. Missing documents or additional review can extend the timeline.

What is the CRNM and why is it important

The CRNM is the National Migration Registration Card issued by the Federal Police after you register your residence status. It is your primary Brazilian foreign resident ID. You need it for work contracts, bank accounts, travel within Mercosur when applicable, and interactions with public agencies. While waiting for the card, you receive a protocol document that also serves as proof of status.

Do foreign documents need apostille and translation

Yes, in most cases. Brazil applies the Hague Apostille Convention. Birth, marriage, and court documents issued abroad must be apostilled in the country of origin and then translated to Portuguese by a sworn public translator in Brazil. Some consulates accept documents issued by the Brazilian consular authority without apostille. Always verify the specific requirement before filing.

Can I travel in and out of Brazil while my application is pending

Travel is possible but must be planned. If you entered with a visa, respect its validity and multiple entry rules. If you filed in Brazil and hold a pending residence protocol, carry your passport and the protocol when traveling. Check with the Federal Police before leaving to ensure you do not miss biometrics or registration deadlines.

What happens if the family situation changes, such as divorce or the principal holder losing status

Family changes can affect dependent status. Divorce or separation may trigger a need to change the migration category, though parents of Brazilian children and victims of domestic violence have special protections and options. If the sponsor loses status, dependents should seek legal advice promptly to assess alternatives and preserve lawful residence. Report changes to the Federal Police and keep records updated.

Additional Resources

Policia Federal migration services in Santa Catarina can provide information on registration, appointments, and CRNM issuance. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security manages migration policy and publishes rules on residence by family reunion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Brazilian consulates handle visa applications abroad. The Defensoria Publica da Uniao can offer free legal assistance to low income migrants and refugees. Cartorios de Notas and Civil Registry offices in Santa Catarina handle declarations of stable union, document authentications, and registrations of foreign marriages and births. The Receita Federal issues the CPF tax number needed for banking, employment, and many public services. Local organizations supporting migrants in Greater Florianopolis, including Catholic and non governmental groups such as Pastoral do Migrante and Caritas, can provide orientation and referrals.

Next Steps

Confirm eligibility by identifying the family relationship that supports your dependent application and whether you will apply at a consulate abroad or inside Brazil. Gather civil documents that prove the relationship, and if they were issued outside Brazil, arrange for Hague apostille and sworn translation in Portuguese. Obtain criminal background certificates for adult applicants from each country of residence required by the rules and make sure they are within the validity period. Secure proof of address in Palhoca and, where needed, prepare a declaration of stable union at a cartorio or register a foreign marriage in the Brazilian system. Create the necessary online accounts for visa or residence filing, pay the government fees, and schedule your Federal Police appointment in the Greater Florianopolis area. Keep copies of everything you submit and bring both originals and copies to appointments. If your case has complications, consult a licensed immigration lawyer in Santa Catarina or seek assistance from the Defensoria Publica da Uniao. Laws and procedures change, so verify current requirements before you file to avoid delays or refusals.

This guide is for general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice tailored to your situation.