Top 2 Money Transfer Providers for Brazil to USA

Foreign-exchange purchases of up to US$10,000 per transaction can be done without the need to notify the central bank, Banco Central do Brasil (Bacen), or provide identification. Although individuals and companies can buy and sell reais and transfer reais abroad, the legality and economic reasons for the transfer of larger amounts must be justified, and the transfer reported to the bank.

There are no restrictions on remittances of profit, and dividends distributed to non-residents, and profits remitted abroad do not incur corporate income tax. The paperwork involved, however, can be significant, with proof needed of the investment’s registration and proof of the transaction that generated the profit. Loans from a non-Brazilian to a domestic company are strictly monitored by the central bank to ensure that outward debt service payments are not used to conceal larger external transfers. The central bank will not permit lending rates it regards as too high, while all foreign loans (including supplier credits for more than 180 days) must be registered in order to permit repayment remittances. Given that there is no double taxation treaty with the US, companies sending interest or profits from Brazil to the US will be subject to 15% tax.

With the number of expats moving to Brazil rising, and the country having enjoyed impressive GDP and income per head growth, the number of foreigners buying property has grown, whether for personal occupancy, vacation, or investment. There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property, all property sales are titled, and foreign investors enjoy the same investment and possession rights as Brazilians. If taking income from the property, foreigners are subject to the same tax as residents, but non-residents from the US will be hit with a 15% capital gains tax if the property is sold. That said, (and assuming all paperwork is in order) investment capital brought into Brazil can be transferred out of the country.

The US is one of the most important destinations of outward investment from Brazil. Brazilian assets abroad have doubled between 2007 and 2013 to US$391.6bn in 2013 according to the Bacen with around 20% invested in the US. The US is the fifth largest destination of FDI, host to US$14.1bn in 2013 or foreign equity investment and the beneficiary of US$1.6bn in intercompany loans, to US parents. Some US$10.8bn of Brazilian overseas portfolio assets are US securities, 42.3% of total foreign portfolio assets, while the US$19.4bn in offshore foreign currency deposits, and US$1.7bn in real estate assets, account for 54% and 31% of their respective totals.

In terms of FDI, the US may be behind countries such as the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Bahamas where investment is heavily concentrated in financial services, but Brazilian assets in the US are much more diverse. Financial services is still the largest target sector for Brazilian investment, assets range from professional and support services, to agriculture, manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality. Brazilian individuals and companies with assets or investments abroad valued at more than US$100,000 at year-end must declare them to the central bank by May of the following year; regarding assets abroad valued at more than US$100m, quarterly statements are required.

Brazil is one of the largest sources of foreign students to US institutions according to a 2014 study by the Brookings Institution, coming in at 15th out of 74 countries surveyed. Over 2008-12, 12,667 people from Brazil have studied at US universities, focusing on business, management, and marketing. The report estimates that in total they have spent US$289.7m in tuition and US$155m in living costs. Sao Paulo is the seventh most business-focused contributor city, with 40.1% of students from the city studying business, management, or marketing. Remitting money abroad for educational (and health) expenses can be done without Bacen approval, but must be recorded, and is limited to R20,000 a month until end 2015.

Applying for a student visa in the US is uncomplicated. Once an accredited institution makes an offer of a place, it becomes the sponsoring institution and issues an I-20 form. This is needed to apply for a foreign student visa through the US Embassy or consulate in their home country, with a visa issued once the US authorities have determined that the prospective student they do not pose a health or security risk. Upon her arrival into the US, immigration inspectors verify the paperwork. At this point, the student can consider when they may transfer money from Brazil to pay tuition and other bills. The sponsoring school is then responsible for confirming that the foreign student is attending classes and must update the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with any changes in enrolment status, course, or any disciplinary actions.