Your Three Options
If you're on a tourist exemption and want to stay in Brazil beyond 90 days, you have three legal options: apply for an official 90-day extension at a Polícia Federal office, do a border run to restart your 90 days (with caveats), or apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for a longer-term stay.
Option 1: Official Extension
The Polícia Federal (PF) can grant a one-time 90-day extension, taking your total tourist stay to 180 days in a 12-month period. Apply at any PF office at least 15 days before your initial 90 days expire. The extension fee is approximately R$270. Required documents: passport, proof of accommodation, onward ticket and completed Form 160 (available at the PF office or online).
Option 2: Border Run
Leaving Brazil and re-entering theoretically resets your 90-day counter, but Brazilian immigration uses a 180-day rolling window — meaning you can only accumulate 90 days of presence in any 180-day period regardless of how many times you exit and re-enter. Simple border runs to Uruguay or Argentina do not reliably reset your Brazilian stay allowance if you've already used 90 days in the past 180 days.
Option 3: Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers wanting to stay 12–24 months legally, the VITEM XIV Digital Nomad Visa is the correct route. It requires minimum $1,500/month income from foreign sources and international health insurance. You can apply from within Brazil if you're still within your tourist period. See our full guide.
What Happens if You Overstay
Overstaying your authorized period triggers a fine of R$828 plus R$8.28 for each additional day over. The fine is assessed by the Polícia Federal at the airport on departure and must be paid before you can board your flight. Chronic overstaying can result in a ban from re-entering Brazil for up to 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for an extension online? No — the extension must be done in person at a Polícia Federal office.
Can I apply for the digital nomad visa after my tourist days expire? No — you must apply while still legally in Brazil on a valid tourist period, or apply at a Brazilian consulate abroad.