Legal platform Jusbrasil published a detailed explainer on 26 October 2025 clarifying that foreign nationals who are parents of Brazilian children are entitled to request residency even if they entered the country irregularly. The article cites Article 30 of Brazil’s Migration Law (Law 13.445/2017) and recent superior-court jurisprudence reinforcing the principle of family unity.
For global mobility teams, the reminder is relevant to cross-border commuter families and expatriates who have formed families during assignments in Brazil. HR should be prepared to support employees—spouses or partners—through the Federal Police’s residency-application process, which typically requires proof of parentage (e.g., birth certificate) and evidence of the child’s dependency.
The primer notes that applicants can regularise their immigration status without leaving Brazil, avoiding the disruption of consular processing abroad. Processing times average 90 days, and once granted, the residence permit allows unrestricted work rights.
Companies should review whether their relocation vendors offer legal-assistance packages covering family-based applications, as the cost-per-case can be significantly lower than corporate-sponsored work visas. They should also ensure that health-insurance policies cover dependants from day one, as public healthcare access varies by municipality.
For global mobility teams, the reminder is relevant to cross-border commuter families and expatriates who have formed families during assignments in Brazil. HR should be prepared to support employees—spouses or partners—through the Federal Police’s residency-application process, which typically requires proof of parentage (e.g., birth certificate) and evidence of the child’s dependency.
The primer notes that applicants can regularise their immigration status without leaving Brazil, avoiding the disruption of consular processing abroad. Processing times average 90 days, and once granted, the residence permit allows unrestricted work rights.
Companies should review whether their relocation vendors offer legal-assistance packages covering family-based applications, as the cost-per-case can be significantly lower than corporate-sponsored work visas. They should also ensure that health-insurance policies cover dependants from day one, as public healthcare access varies by municipality.
