Brazil Tightens CPF Application Process for Foreigners

Navigating the complexities of Brazilian bureaucracy has become more challenging for foreigners seeking to do business in Brazil. A significant change in the CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) application process was recently implemented by the Brazilian government. The CPF, a taxpayer ID number necessary for owning assets and conducting business in Brazil, can no longer be obtained through a simple online application as before.

Foreign investors and entrepreneurs, who previously enjoyed the ease of applying for a CPF online, now face a new hurdle. Our earlier blog post, “You Need a CPF in Brazil,” detailed the online process that let applicants receive their CPF via e-mail within days. This process was important for streamlining business ventures, property purchases, and other transactions requiring a CPF in Brazil.

The latest government regulation, however, requires that foreigners outside Brazil now schedule an in-person appointment at a Brazilian Consulate to apply for a CPF. This update marks a major departure from the former online and e-mail applications. This in-person step not only adds logistical challenges but potentially extends the timeframe for obtaining the ID number.

Foreign applicants must use the e-consular system to schedule their in-person appointment with the Brazilian Consulate. The system requires the submission of digital copies of documents like passports and birth certificates.

Although the new in-person requirement for obtaining a CPF adds complexity to the process, it remains a critical step for foreign nationals. Without this taxpayer ID number, conducting business in Brazil becomes significantly more challenging, if not impossible.