About the City

Located in the state of São Paolo in the south eastern region of the country, Campinas is the fourteenth most populous city in Brazil, and the third most populous in São Paolo state. The city alone has a population of over one million people, whilst the wider metropolitan area is home to nearly 2.3 million inhabitants. Of its population, nearly 75% identified as White in the 2000 census, with Pardo the next largest ethnic group, accounting for almost 19% of the population. There are also large Black and Asian communities in the city, as well as a growing number of expatriates. The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, but as both Spanish and English are taught as second languages from an early age, they are also widely spoken. Expatriates moving to Campinas are advised to learn some Portuguese phrases, however.

The Climate in Campinas

Although Campinas has a tropical climate, its particular weather is mitigated by its elevation, and as a result it experiences lower rainfall and milder temperatures than many other large Brazilian cities. This means that expatriates moving to Campinas will need to adjust to dry and mild winters, and hot, wet summers. In the summer months the average temperature in Campinas is 24°C (75.2°F), with February the hottest month of the year. The summer also brings heavy rainfall to the city, and although overall precipitation is less than that of many surrounding areas, expatriates moving to Campinas can expect 280.3 mm of rainfall on average in January, which is the wettest month. In the winter, temperatures will drop to an average of 17.8°C (64°F), and July is the coldest and driest month of the year.

Visas for Campinas

Foreigners and expatriates wanting to move to Campinas will need to apply for a residency visa. However, permanent and temporary residency visas for Brazil can be hard to obtain, and in most cases you will either have to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during your stay in the country, or that you will be working for a Brazilian company that will make a large contribution to the economy. It may be easier in most cases to obtain a temporary residency visa, which will then need to be renewed on expiry. In addition, you are able to gain permanent residency in Brazil provided that you invest 50,000 USD in the Brazilian economy, and on the condition that your investment creates over 10 jobs for Brazilian citizens. The requirements for residency permits for moving to Campinas are stringent, and you are advised to contact your prospective employer and your local embassy or consulate for more information before applying.