How to Get a CPF in Brazil as a Foreigner (Or Skip It Entirely)

Brazil has gone almost entirely cashless. Walk into a café in São Paulo, order açaí on Copacabana beach, or catch an Uber; everywhere you look, you’ll see a Pix QR code. Pix handles 96% of daily transactions in Brazil. It’s fast, it’s free for consumers, and it’s how locals pay for everything.

There’s just one problem: Pix requires a CPF.

TL;DR

Brazil’s CPF (tax ID) is required for nearly everything: banking, Pix, SIM cards, even food delivery apps. Getting one takes 3-7 days minimum. This guide covers every method to get a CPF as a foreigner, with realistic timelines. Or, if you just need Pix access for a short trip, WanderWallet lets you scan and pay Pix QR codes without a CPF or local bank account.

The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is Brazil’s individual taxpayer identification number. Think of it as a Brazilian Social Security number. But unlike most countries where tax IDs are just for, well, taxes, Brazil uses the CPF for everything:

• Opening a bank account (which you need for Pix)
• Getting a phone SIM card (even prepaid)
• Ordering on iFood, Rappi, or any delivery app
• Shopping on Amazon Brazil or Mercado Livre
• Signing a rental contract
• Booking domestic flights (some airlines require it)
• Buying long-distance bus tickets online
• Getting supermarket discount club prices
• Signing up for Brazilian Netflix or Spotify
• Joining a gym

It’s pervasive. And if you don’t have one, you’ll feel it immediately.

The Tourist CPF Problem

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

The nightmare of traveling in Brazil without a CPF number… I had to get out at night in a dangerous neighbourhood because I had nothing to eat and I could not get food delivered without a CPF

CPF is the most annoying thing for tourists

You need a CPF for something random like ordering food online lol

In BH I tried to register for a day pass and even listed as a foreigner and used passport but it would not let me without a CPF. Had similar issues getting a SIM card.

Without a CPF, you’re stuck with cash, which is increasingly impractical, o foreign credit cards, which get declined constantly and charge painful exchange rates plus Brazil’s mandatory IOF tax on international transactions.

Not ideal.

So let’s fix it. Here are all the ways to get a CPF as a foreigner in Brazil.

How to Get a CPF in Brazil: All Methods

Method 1: Online + Email to Receita Federal (Best for Tourists Already in Brazil)

Timeline: 3-7 days | Cost: FREE

This is the most reliable method for tourists currently in Brazil. You apply online, email your documents, and receive your CPF number via email.

What you need:

1. Passport copy (clear PDF)
2. Selfie holding your passport (face visible, passport text readable)
3. Proof of address in Brazil (Airbnb confirmation works)
4. Tax status declaration form

Steps:

1. Go to Receita Federal’s CPF portal
2. Fill out the application form with your details
3. Download the generated protocol PDF
4. Print and physically sign the form (many offices don’t accept digital signatures)
5. Email everything to your regional Receita Federal office
6. Wait 3-7 days for confirmation
7. Receive your CPF number via email

Pro tips:

• Send full-resolution photos—blurry images get rejected
• Each Brazilian state has a different email address. Find yours at gov.br regional contacts
• If you don’t hear back in a week, try resending to a different regional office

Method 2: In-Person at Receita Federal

Timeline: Same day to 2-3 days | Cost: FREE

If you want faster service, you can go directly to a Receita Federal office. But there’s a catch.

What you need:

• Passport
• Birth certificate (some offices require it)
• Protocol number from online form

The booking problem:

Here’s the frustrating part—to book an appointment online, you typically need a CPF and a Brazilian phone number. Yes, really. This creates a chicken-and-egg situation.

Workarounds:

• Some offices accept walk-ins (hit or miss)
• Have a Brazilian friend book the appointment using their CPF
• Show up early and explain you’re a foreigner without a CPF

Reality check: Many offices will redirect you to the email process anyway. Language can be a barrier (everything’s in Portuguese), and wait times vary wildly by location.

Method 3: At a Brazilian Consulate (Before Your Trip)

Timeline: 1-4 weeks | Cost: FREE

If you’re planning ahead, you can get your CPF before you even land in Brazil.

Steps:

1. Register at e-Consular
2. Complete the CPF application form
3. Upload your passport and birth certificate
4. Schedule an in-person appointment at your nearest Brazilian consulate
5. Bring original documents to the appointment
6. Receive your CPF at the appointment or shortly after

Important: The process changed recently. It now requires an in-person visit (previously you could do it entirely online). Wait times depend on the consulate. Some have appointments available quickly, others are backed up for weeks.

Method 4: At Banks or Post Offices in Brazil

Timeline: Same day | Cost: ~R$7 (~$1.25 USD)

Certain locations can issue CPFs to foreigners:

• Banco do Brasil
• Caixa Econômica Federal
• Correios (post offices)
• Some notary offices (Cartórios)

Reality check: Results are mixed. Some locations will help foreigners, others redirect you to Receita Federal. It’s worth trying if you’re near one and feeling lucky, but don’t count on it.

Method 5: At Land Border Crossings

Timeline: Immediate | Cost: FREE

If you’re entering Brazil by land (from Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, etc.), some border crossings offer CPF registration on the spot.

This isn’t guaranteed—it depends on the specific crossing and the staff available. But it’s worth asking when you’re going through immigration.

CPF Timeline Summary

Method	Timeline	Cost	Difficulty
Online + Email	3-7 days	FREE	Medium
Receita Federal (in-person)	Same day to 3 days	FREE	Hard (booking issues)
Brazilian Consulate	1-4 weeks	FREE	Medium
Bank/Post Office	Same day	~R$7	Variable
Land border crossing	Immediate	FREE	Depends on crossing

After You Get Your CPF: What to Know

It Won’t Work Immediately

Your CPF needs 1-2 days to “propagate” through Brazil’s systems. Don’t panic if it doesn’t work right away, just wait.

Annual Update Requirement (New as of 2025)

Non-resident foreigners now need to update their CPF registration annually via the Receita Federal mobile app. Failure to update can result in your CPF becoming suspended. Keep this in mind if you plan to return to Brazil.

A CPF Doesn’t Guarantee Bank Access

Even with a valid CPF, Brazilian banks often reject foreigners during their verification process. Getting a CPF is step one, opening a bank account is another battle entirely.

Or: Skip the CPF and Use Pix Anyway

Here’s the thing: if you’re visiting Brazil for a few weeks, do you really want to spend half your trip waiting for government paperwork?

WanderWallet lets you use Pix without a CPF.

No local bank account needed. No week-long wait for bureaucracy. You download the app, verify your identity, top up your balance, and start scanning Pix QR codes. The same ones every Brazilian merchant displays.

Here’s how it works:

• Your balance is held in USD (digital dollars)
• You see exactly what you’ll spend in USD before confirming any payment
• You pay merchants directly through Brazil’s Pix rails
• Exchange rates are transparent and better than foreign credit cards
• You can even use Pix Saque to withdraw cash at participating locations

For tourists and digital nomads passing through Brazil, this is often the practical choice. You get local payment access without the bureaucratic obstacle course.

When You Should Still Get a CPF

Let’s be honest: WanderWallet is designed for travelers, not for people putting down roots. If any of these apply to you, getting a CPF makes sense:

• You’re staying 3+ months and want to integrate fully
• You need a rental contract (landlords require CPF)
• You want a local phone plan (not just international roaming)
• You’re opening a Brazilian business
• You have tax obligations in Brazil

For longer stays, the CPF is worth the hassle. It’s free, and once you have it, many things become easier.

But if you’re here for a couple weeks, exploring Rio and São Paulo, and just want to buy street food without carrying wads of cash? You don’t need to spend a week wrestling with Brazilian bureaucracy.

The Bottom Line

Brazil runs on Pix. Without access to it, you’re stuck in a parallel economy of cash and declined credit cards.

Getting a CPF is possible and the online email method works well if you have 3-7 days and some patience. For longer stays, it’s worth doing.

But for tourists who want Pix access now, without the wait, WanderWallet offers a shortcut. Download the app, scan QR codes, pay like a local.

No CPF required.

Related Guides

• Pix for Foreigners – Pay with Pix without a CPF using WanderWallet
• Renting an Apartment in Brazil – Documents and deposits for foreigners
• Money in Brazil Guide – Complete guide to managing money as a foreigner
• Pix vs Credit Cards – Which is better for tourists in Brazil?