Bureaucracy. If you need to open a bank account in Brazil as a foreigner, that’s what you will face. Usually, for short periods, you won’t need to have one. Services as Transferwise and your own bank’s will cover all aspects you will need while abroad.

However, some companies will only do payments for interns if they have a Brazilian bank account. It is possible that the host organization has a partner bank agency inside their building and they will do the process for you, but you might have to do it yourself.

If that is your case, here is what you can do. The only bank in Brazil that open accounts for foreigners is Bradesco. To find the closest bank agency, click here. Just be sure it is not a Prime Agency, which is only for clients who earn more than R$10.000 a month. 

The documents needed to open the bank account in Brazil are: 

– CPF (see how to obtain one here);
 
– Proof of Residence (can be water, phone, energy bill). If the bill comes in someone’s else name, ask that person to write a letter stating you are staying with him/her. It needs to have the signature notarized;
 
– The Foreigner ID, called CRNM (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório). Check how to register as a foreigner in Brazil here. If you don’t have the CRNM yet, you can open your account with the protocol for obtaining the ID;
 
– It is really important for you to take with you your Passport on that day;
 
– Internship contract. The bank will need proof that you will have an income in Brazil and your contract will have the signatures notarized.