Diving in...and maybe moving to Brazil

[grouchyturtle]

Looking to join the expat navy and sail away from the US, hopefully in the not to far future, and Brazil is one of the places on my radar.

I'm looking for any kind of advice on what it would take to a boat bum on a US flagged vessel to move down there.
Cost of living, any anchoring requirements/restrictions, or marina costs, etc. Can you live on the hook full time? What's the diving like?

Also, does anyone know what would it take to start up a 6 pack charter (not necessarily diving...but maybe that too)?
What are the requirements for a US citizen?

I'm a USCG 50 ton master, with a 34' cat. The boat already meets all USCG requirements for a UPV.
Changing insurance is no problem, but what are the USVI's requirements?

If you could at least point me in the right direction that would much appreciated.

 

[kd3pc]

Virgin Islands or Brazil??

I think as an expat you will be limited as to what you can actually do for work in Brazil...US certs will not mean a whole lot to them..It is pricey as compared to the Carib Islands

Best of luck

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I would suggest the website noonsite.com as a good resource for yachters to research immigration requirements for countries all over the world. Here, for example, is their info for Brazil, updated 9-2011 (emboldening mine):

(This is not for work permits but for simple immigration, i.e. just being in the country.)


Passports must be valid for six months from arrival date except Argentinians and Uruguayans, who only require a national identity card.

A 90 day visa is issued initially, renewable on request for another 90 days from the Federal Police on payment of a fee. A maximum of 90 days only (or 180 if an extension has been granted) per year may be spent in Brazil.

See Noonsite report Procedure to Request an Extension of Visa in Brazil for some very useful detailed instructions on how to do this at Salvador International Airport.

Visas are not required by nationals of EU countries,(except for those of Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovak Republic who do require a visa), Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Bahamas, Barbados, Guatemala, Guyana, Malaysia, Namibia, Panama and Venezuela (exempted for a stay of up to 60 days).

All other nationalities, including Australian, US and Canadian citizens, need to obtain a visa before arrival.

These regulations are meant for visitors arriving by air, and in some ports the authorities insist on everyone having a visa, even nationalities that are normally exempt.

It is therefore advisable for everyone arriving by yacht to obtain a visa in advance, but you must enter Brazil within 90 days of the visia being issued.

Visas may only be valid for 90 days from the date of issue. US citizens may be able to obtain a five year multiple-entry visa in advance which is a good alternative if you plan to leave the yacht in Brazil and then return, but it appears it is not easy to obtain.

According to the Brazilian Consul in Las Palmas, visas are no longer required by UK and US citizens arriving on their yachts, but the actual situation is not clear and Consulate in San Francisco contradicts this.

Last updated September 2011.

 

[grouchyturtle]

Virgin Islands or Brazil??

I think as an expat you will be limited as to what you can actually do for work in Brazil...US certs will not mean a whole lot to them..It is pricey as compared to the Carib Islands

Best of luck

Anywhere but here! I have a list of a few places. Belize is on there too.

So, Brazil is another one where US captains license is worthless? I heard in Mexico you need at least a 500 ton just to run a 6 pack. I heard cost of living is actually pretty cheap down there? Less than USVI anyway.