Latin America is one of the most popular regions in the world for Americans seeking to retire, work remotely, or establish residency abroad. Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia alone receive tens of thousands of American expatriates each year — and nearly all of them will need an FBI background check apostille at some point in the immigration process.
But here's what catches most people off guard: the requirements are not the same in every country. What works for Mexico may not work for Brazil. This guide breaks down the specific requirements for each major Latin American destination.
Most Latin American countries are Hague Convention members, which means U.S. documents apostilled by the Department of State are directly recognized without additional embassy legalization. Notable exceptions include some Central American and Caribbean nations — contact us if your destination country isn't covered in this guide.
Mexico is the most popular destination for American expatriates. An apostilled FBI background check is required for Temporary Resident and Permanent Resident visa applications, as well as for naturalization.
Brazil has some of the most specific document requirements in Latin America. Not only is an apostilled FBI background check required, but a certified Portuguese translation is mandatory — no exceptions. Brazilian authorities will not accept documents submitted in English only.
Colombia has grown rapidly in popularity with American remote workers and retirees. The country's Digital Nomad Visa and Pensionado Visa both require an FBI background check. Colombia generally accepts the English original with the U.S. apostille, though some applications may require Spanish translation.
Argentina requires an apostilled FBI background check for most long-stay visa and residency applications. The country has become a popular destination for remote workers due to favorable exchange rates.
| Country | FBI Apostille | Translation Required | Document Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Required | Usually not required | 6 months |
| Brazil | Required | Yes — Portuguese (mandatory) | 90 days |
| Colombia | Required | Sometimes required | 90 days |
| Argentina | Required | Yes — Spanish | 3–6 months |
| Panama | Required | Spanish recommended | 6 months |
| Costa Rica | Required | Spanish recommended | 6 months |
| Ecuador | Required | Yes — Spanish | 6 months |
Brazil's requirement that background check documents be issued within 90 days is one of the strictest in the world. Combined with standard FBI processing times of 8–10 weeks, this means you have very little margin for error. We strongly recommend expedited service for all Brazil applications.
For countries that require certified Spanish or Portuguese translation, FBI Apostille Group offers translation coordination as an add-on service. We work with accredited translators who are familiar with the specific formatting and certification requirements of each country's immigration authorities.
For Brazil specifically, the translation must be a tradução juramentada (sworn translation) performed by a registered public translator — a standard certified translation is not sufficient. We coordinate this on your behalf.
We handle FBI apostille preparation and translation coordination for all Latin American destinations. Tell us your country and we'll advise you on exactly what you need.
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