The tax number (CPF) first, then the Federal Police appointment for the migration card (CRNM), a bank account, health cover and a phone line, with the deadline conflict between sources spelled out.
In brief
As of 6 November 2026, the first month in Brazil is built around two documents: the CPF tax number, without which most guides say you cannot open a bank account or sign a lease, and the CRNM migration card from the Federal Police. Sources disagree on the CRNM deadline: some say 30 days, a lawyer guide and a forum report 90 days for a temporary visa, so read the deadline for your own visa. The card is usually issued 5 to 15 business days after the appointment (up to 30 in some sources). We could not open official pages, so check gov.br/pf and the Receita Federal before you rely on a date.
Before the clock starts: which status are you in?
Everything depends on how you entered. A visitor and a person who holds, or is applying for, a temporary residence permit have different deadlines and different documents. Entry rules for Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian citizens appear on aggregator pages as visa-free, and we found nothing for Kazakhstan; none of this comes from an official source, so confirm with a Brazilian consulate before you buy a ticket.
This checklist is for the common case: you arrived with a visa or a residence decision and you want to settle. If you came to look at property first, our article on unusual properties in Brazil shows what the market looks like; this page starts after arrival.
- The general version for any country: first 30 days after moving abroad
- Tax status when you move: tax residency when relocating
Days 1 to 3: CPF and the entry record
Keep your entry stamp and the visa page. The CRNM clock is counted from a date that depends on the visa type, and the entry record is one of the documents you will need.
The CPF is Brazil's personal tax number. It is free, and sources say it can be requested at a Brazilian consulate before you travel or in person at a Receita Federal office after arrival. The record has to match the passport exactly, so check name spelling. Several guides state that without a CPF you cannot open a bank account, rent a flat or buy property, while one relocation source says the CPF is not a condition of residence at all. One law-firm article says the CPF procedure for foreigners was tightened; we did not read its details, so ask the Receita Federal office what it requires today.
Week 1: the Federal Police appointment and a bank account
Book the Federal Police appointment as soon as you have an address. Sources describe scheduling through the Federal Police online booking system, at the unit that covers the city where you live. Slots can be weeks away, so the booking is the step to do first, not the last.
Bank account. Guides list the passport, the CPF and proof of address; for a temporary resident the CRNM or the appointment protocol and proof of income are also mentioned. These lists come from relocation firms, not banks, and requirements differ by bank. If one branch refuses, try another. The questions banks ask Russian-speaking customers about the source of funds are covered in resident accounts abroad.
Weeks 2 to 4: the CRNM, health cover and a phone line
CRNM. At the appointment you give fingerprints and documents; the card follows. Production time is quoted as 5 to 15 business days by a law-firm blog and up to 30 business days by a university page. The deadline to register is the part where sources conflict: 30 days from arrival (or from the publication of a residence decision), 90 days from arrival for a temporary visa, and one law firm says there are three separate deadlines with different triggers. Late registration can bring a fine, per day of delay according to one source; no amount was confirmed. Read the exact deadline for your visa on gov.br/pf.
Health. One retirement-visa guide says a legal resident has access to the public health system (SUS). We found no enrolment steps and no rule for temporary visas, so do not plan a first month without private cover. More on choosing cover: health insurance after moving abroad.
Phone, driving and schools were not researched for this guide; the general checklists above cover the principles, and the driving rules are in the driving-licence article.
Deadlines and mistakes that cost a month
- Waiting for the CRNM appointment until the last week: slots can be weeks away.
- Registering with a CPF that does not match the passport spelling.
- Mixing up the deadlines: the 30-day and 90-day figures belong to different situations.
- Opening the bank account before the CPF exists.
- Assuming the public health system covers you from day one.
One-page checklist
- Day 1 to 3: passport and visa copies, entry record, CPF application.
- Week 1: Federal Police booking, proof of address, bank documents.
- Weeks 2 to 4: appointment, fingerprints, CRNM collection, private health cover, phone line.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check every date with the Federal Police and the Receita Federal.
FAQ
Do I need a CPF before I arrive? You can apply at a Brazilian consulate before travelling or at a Receita Federal office after arrival; sources say it is free and that without it a bank account and a lease are hard to get.
How many days do I have to register with the Federal Police? Sources disagree: 30 days in some, 90 days for a temporary visa in others. The deadline depends on your visa, so read it for your own case.
Can I use the public health system as a newcomer? One guide says legal residents have access, but we found no enrolment steps and no rule for temporary visas, so arrange private cover.
Will a bank open an account without a CRNM? Guides say passport, CPF and proof of address are the core documents and that temporary residents may also need the CRNM or its protocol; banks differ.
Is entry to Brazil visa-free for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine? Aggregator pages say yes for Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, with nothing for Kazakhstan; none is official, so confirm with a consulate.