Summary
Learn how to get a CPF in Brazil as a foreigner from abroad or after arriving with this complete document guide.
How to Get a CPF in Brazil as a Foreigner: 2026 Guide for Students
Planning to study in Brazil? The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is one of the first Brazilian documents you may need.
The CPF is an individual taxpayer identification number issued by the Receita Federal, Brazil’s federal tax authority. Foreign nationals can obtain one even if they are not Brazilian citizens or permanent residents.
In Brazil, your CPF may be requested when renting accommodation, opening certain bank accounts, signing contracts, accessing digital services or completing financial transactions.
The good news is that the application process is relatively straightforward when you use the correct official channel.
TL;DR
If you are still outside Brazil, complete the official CPF form and contact the Brazilian consulate responsible for your place of residence. If you are already in Brazil and your passport is your only identification document, you should expect to complete your initial registration in person.
The public CPF service is free, although authorized partner locations in Brazil may charge a small service fee.
Verdict: Recommended to begin the process before travelling, especially if you plan to remain in Brazil for more than 90 days.
If you are still outside Brazil
Foreign nationals living outside Brazil generally apply through the Brazilian consular network.
1. Complete the official CPF form
Start with the official form provided by the Receita Federal:
CPF form for foreign nationals — Receita Federal
Enter your information exactly as it appears in your passport or other official identification document.
You may need to provide:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Nationality
- Parents’ names
- Passport or identification number
- Address outside Brazil
After submitting the form, save or print the generated FCPF registration form and any protocol number provided by the system.
Tip: Temporarily allow pop-up windows in your browser. Blocking them may prevent the system from generating the registration document.
2. Prepare your documents
The documents requested may vary according to your age, nationality and the consular post handling the application.
Foreign applicants should generally prepare:
- The completed FCPF form
- A valid passport or another accepted identification document
- A birth or marriage certificate, depending on the circumstances
- Any additional documents requested by the consulate
Your documents must be legible, and the personal information on them should match the information entered on the CPF form.
Names containing multiple surnames, accents or different transliterations deserve particular attention. Even a small discrepancy may delay the application.
3. Contact the appropriate Brazilian consulate
Completing the online form does not necessarily finish the application.
Foreign nationals living abroad generally need to submit their request through the Brazilian embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residence.
You can consult the official list here:
Brazilian consulates and embassies abroad
Many Brazilian consular posts use the e-Consular platform to review documents and schedule appointments:
e-Consular — Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Procedures can vary between consular jurisdictions. Confirm directly with the appropriate consulate:
- Whether an appointment is required
- Which documents must be uploaded
- Whether original documents must be presented
- Whether translations or additional certificates are necessary
- How the completed CPF registration will be delivered
According to current Brazilian government guidance, foreign nationals whose only identification document is a passport cannot generally complete an initial CPF registration simply by emailing the Receita Federal.
Verdict: Recommended to follow the instructions published by the consulate responsible for your actual place of residence.
If you are already in Brazil
If you have already arrived, begin through the official GOV.BR service:
The portal explains the available channels and the documents required for different applicants.
When is an in-person application required?
If you are a foreign national and your passport is your only identification document, the Receita Federal currently states that initial CPF registration must be completed in person.
Depending on availability in your location, service may be provided through:
- Receita Federal offices
- Banco do Brasil
- Caixa Econômica Federal
- Correios
- Authorized civil registry offices
Confirm the service before visiting, as not every branch necessarily handles CPF applications in the same way.
Documents to take with you
Adult applicants should normally bring:
- A valid passport or another accepted official identification document
- A birth or marriage certificate, when necessary
- The completed CPF form or protocol, if already generated
- Any immigration or Brazilian identification document available
A birth, marriage or equivalent foreign document may be requested when the main identification document does not clearly show information such as parentage, nationality or date of birth.
The Receita Federal may request additional documents depending on the application.
Are there exceptions to the standard process?
Some applicants may have access to different channels. Current government guidance mentions specific procedures for certain nationals of Mercosur and associated countries, diplomats, members of international organizations and their family members.
These exceptions do not apply automatically to every foreign applicant.
Not recommended: assuming that a procedure used by another student or traveller will necessarily apply to you.
Check the GOV.BR portal, the Receita Federal or the Brazilian consulate responsible for your case.
How much does a CPF cost?
CPF registration through the Brazilian public service and consular network is generally free.
In Brazil, authorized partner locations such as Banco do Brasil, Caixa Econômica Federal, Correios or certain registry offices may charge a small service fee. The GOV.BR portal currently indicates a fee of R$7.00 for service at participating partner units.
Fees and service availability may change, so confirm the amount through the official portal before visiting.
Paying a private company is not required to obtain a CPF.
Not recommended: using websites that claim to sell, accelerate or guarantee the issuance of a CPF.
How long does it take?
There is no single processing time that applies to every applicant.
The time required may depend on:
- The consulate or service location
- Appointment availability
- Whether your documents are complete
- Differences between the form and your passport
- Requests for additional documents
- The need for in-person verification
Some registrations may be completed quickly, while others can take longer if information needs to be corrected.
Starting before your trip can reduce the risk of needing the CPF urgently after arriving in Brazil.
How to check your CPF status
Once your CPF has been issued, you can check its registration status free of charge through the Receita Federal:
Check your CPF registration status
You will normally need your CPF number and date of birth.
The result may show statuses such as:
- Regular: no registration issue has been identified
- Pending regularization: a required tax return or registration obligation may be missing
- Suspended: the registration contains incomplete or inconsistent information
- Cancelled: the CPF was cancelled due to duplication or an administrative or judicial decision
- Deceased holder: the registration has been updated following notification of death
- Null: fraud or a serious registration irregularity was identified
Having a CPF number is different from having a regular CPF status. Some contracts and financial services may require the registration to be regular.
How to track a pending CPF request
If your application generated a protocol number, you may be able to track it through the Receita Federal:
Keep copies of:
- The FCPF form
- Your protocol number
- Documents submitted
- Appointment confirmation
- Emails received from the consulate or Receita Federal
These records can help if you need to contact the responsible office.
Should you wait until you arrive in Brazil?
Not necessarily.
If you are still abroad, it is usually worth beginning before departure by completing the official form and checking the requirements of the Brazilian consulate responsible for your region.
Obtaining your CPF before or shortly after arrival may simplify:
- Renting accommodation
- Signing service contracts
- Opening eligible bank or payment accounts
- Registering for digital platforms
- Completing university-related procedures
- Purchasing certain services online
A CPF does not replace a visa, residence permit, passport or immigration document. It is a tax identification number, not proof of legal immigration status.
Verdict: Recommended to start early, but always follow the procedure applicable to your current country and documents.
CPF requirements when renting with Shortstay
Shortstay offers furnished apartments with digital contracts for stays of 1 to 12 months. A traditional Brazilian guarantor, known as a fiador, is not required, but every reservation remains subject to document and financial review.
Foreign applicants who do not reside in Brazil may be asked to provide:
- A valid passport
- Detailed bank statements covering the previous six months
- Additional documents when required during the review
Foreign nationals with Brazilian residence documents may be subject to different documentation and income requirements.
Shortstay also indicates that foreigners planning to remain in Brazil for more than 90 days must provide a CPF.
Read the current requirements here:
Having a CPF does not guarantee that a reservation will be approved. It is one part of the documentation process.
Common mistakes to avoid
Entering a different name from the passport
Use the same spelling, order and surname structure shown on your identification document.
Assuming the online form completes the application
The form may only be the first step. Consular or in-person verification can still be necessary.
Sending documents to an unofficial email address
Only follow instructions published by the Receita Federal, GOV.BR or the appropriate Brazilian consulate.
Paying someone to “release” the CPF faster
CPF registration does not require an intermediary. Be cautious with services promising guaranteed or immediate issuance.
Losing the protocol number
Save the FCPF form and protocol as soon as they are generated.
Waiting until a contract must be signed
Starting only when a landlord, university or bank requests the CPF can create unnecessary delays.
Summary
If you are outside Brazil
- Complete the official Receita Federal CPF form.
- Save the FCPF document and protocol number.
- Prepare your passport and supporting documents.
- Find the Brazilian consulate responsible for your region.
- Use e-Consular if instructed by that consulate.
- Attend an appointment or submit the documents as directed.
- Check your CPF status after issuance.
If you are already in Brazil
- Start through the official GOV.BR CPF service.
- Check which service locations are available near you.
- If your passport is your only identification document, prepare for an in-person application.
- Take your original documents and any generated protocol.
- Confirm your CPF status through the Receita Federal website.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner obtain a CPF without living in Brazil? Yes. Foreign nationals living abroad can apply through the Brazilian consular network.
Do I need Brazilian citizenship to obtain a CPF? No. A CPF is available to foreign nationals and does not grant citizenship or residence rights.
Can I complete the entire application online? Not in every case. Completing the online form may be only the first step. Foreign nationals using only a passport may need consular or in-person verification.
Is the CPF free? The public service is generally free. Authorized partner locations in Brazil may charge a small service fee, currently listed as R$7.00 on GOV.BR.
Do I need a CPF to study in Brazil? Requirements vary between institutions and services. Even when a university does not require it immediately, a CPF can be useful for housing, banking, contracts and everyday transactions.
Do I need a CPF to rent an apartment? Many landlords and rental companies request one. Shortstay specifically requires a CPF from foreign nationals planning to stay in Brazil for more than 90 days.
Does a CPF expire? The CPF number does not normally expire. However, its registration status can become irregular if there are missing or inconsistent records.
Can another person apply on my behalf? Representation may be possible in certain cases, but additional authorization and identification documents can be required. Confirm the procedure with the Receita Federal or the relevant consulate.
Useful official links
- Apply for a CPF — GOV.BR
- CPF form for foreign nationals
- e-Consular
- Brazilian consulates and embassies abroad
- Check your CPF status
- Track a CPF application
Final verdict
Starting your CPF application before travelling to Brazil is Recommended, particularly if you will study, rent accommodation or remain in the country for more than 90 days.
Use the official Receita Federal form, follow the instructions of the appropriate Brazilian consulate and make sure your information matches your passport exactly.
Using unofficial websites that charge to “sell,” accelerate or guarantee a CPF is Not recommended. Official procedures should always be completed through domains associated with gov.br, fazenda.gov.br or itamaraty.gov.br.
