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#coffee #saopaulo #restaurant #beer #food #brunch #cathedral #paulista #bars #visa
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selmasoell…

Opening a bank account in Sao Paulo 2026 for foreigners

fmd_goodPedacinho de Amor Sandra & Cia · #cash #bank #visa
moving to Sao Paulo in march for work and my employer wants to pay me into a local account. can a foreigner open one without a CPF yet, or do i need that first? also curious if my visa debit card from… moving to Sao Paulo in march for work and my employer wants to pay me into a local account. can a foreigner open one without a CPF yet, or do i need that first? also curious if my visa debit card from home works at most cafes and shops or if i should carry cash.
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Image ilsabe ·

CPF first, banks won't budge without it.

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Image sandy ·

true but book your CPF appointment online before you land, walk-in slots at the agencies fill up fast.

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Image ilsabe · · -5

Appointment portal opens 8am Brasília time, not local.

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Image birga ·

Some branches will open a conta salário with just your passport and work contract before the number lands, but it's bare bones.

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Image sandy ·

The CPF thing is right but you can get one at Receita Federal in about a week once you have your protocolo. For cards, Visa works at most places in Pinheiros and Vila Madalena, but keep 50 reais on you for padarias and feiras.

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Image ilsabe ·

Worth adding that some smaller shops and taxis only take pix or cash, so a backup card helps too.

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Image sandy · · -4

yeah pix is everywhere now, even the guy selling agua on the street. i'd still keep some cash for the odd machine that won't read a foreign card. also set up pix on whatever account u get or you'll be that person fumbling for change.

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Image birga ·

honestly the protocolo wait can stretch to 2 or 3 weeks depending on the office, so start it the day u land. also grab a Nubank or Inter account once you have the number, way less paperwork than the big banks.

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Image birga ·

Agree, but get the protocolo number at the airport, not the agency.

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Image ilsabe ·

Does that airport counter actually issue the protocolo, or just start the paperwork? I've heard mixed things.

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elrikeheue…

Opening a bank account in Sao Paulo 2026 as a foreigner

fmd_goodBar e Lanchonete Praça da Sé · #bank #praa #fintech
I'm moving to Sao Paulo in March for work and I'm trying to sort out my finances before I land. What's the realistic path for a foreigner to open an account with a Brazilian bank in 2026, and are ther… I'm moving to Sao Paulo in March for work and I'm trying to sort out my finances before I land. What's the realistic path for a foreigner to open an account with a Brazilian bank in 2026, and are there cards or apps that let me get paid locally without a CPF? I'll be near Praça da Sé for the first few weeks, so any branch or fintech with an actual location around the centre would be handy to know about.
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Image clementineszyma… ·

Get a CPF first, no way around it.

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Image reginesteg… ·

Agree, but the CPF alone won't cut it at the big banks, they'll also want a CRNM or protocolo plus proof of address.

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Image reginesteg… ·

Receita Federal at Sé, book online first.

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Image clementine… ·

Bring the protocolo too, they ask for it at the door.

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