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How to check an immigration agent in Brazil
You can apply for temporary residence, permanent residence or citizenship yourself through the Federal Police website and gov.br. If you do pay an agent, the five checks below take less than an hour and cost nothing.
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Is this person a lawyer
Only a member of the Brazilian Bar Association can represent you in court and call their services legal services. Search for the person by name in the national register of lawyers. If they are not listed, they are not a lawyer, whatever they call themselves.
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What the courts have on them
A name search in the national court notices database shows court publications across the country. Also check the databases of the federal courts (Federal Court of Santa Catarina, Federal Regional Court of Appeals, 4th Region) and of the Santa Catarina State Court. For Russia: mos-sud.ru and the "Wanted persons" service on the Russian Interior Ministry website.
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What company they have
Ask for the company registration number and check it on minhareceita.org: opening date, owners and registered business activity. A company opened a month ago, or "retail trade" as the registered activity of an "immigration agency", is a reason to ask questions.
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Case number
After filing you should have a Federal Police case number. Its status is visible in the Federal Police online immigration system. No number means no application, whatever you are told.
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Home address
The police check the address given in the application. If an agent suggests using someone else's address, "fixing" a utility bill or filing in a city where you do not live, this is a direct risk of refusal and of a criminal case under Articles 299 and 304 of the Brazilian Criminal Code - for you personally.
Signs to watch for
- Payment in cryptocurrency to a personal wallet, with no receipt and no contract with a registered company.
- Promises of specific dates for receiving documents that keep getting postponed.
- Refusal to show the case number or a copy of the filed application.
- A request to grant a power of attorney to several people at once with the right to delegate it.
- Pressure and threats of court action in response to a refund request.
Where to turn if you have been affected
- The Federal Police - a crime report at the nearest office or online.
- The Brazilian Bar Association in your state - if someone is posing as a lawyer.
- A small claims court - a claim to recover money up to 20 minimum wages can be filed without a lawyer.
- The Federal Public Defender's Office - free legal aid, including for migrants.