People in your situation are required to remain outside Brazil for 180 days counting from the day you leave.  That would see you eligible to return some time in February.  However, that's not to say that an overworked, underpaid FP agent could approve your re-entry sooner without bothering to review your immigration history.  These days sophisticated computer scanners tend to do the job for them but some people can still manage to slip back in unchallenged.

Edited by man of leisure - 03 January 2009 at 12:25

Hi I would be interested to know about how the PF found your address? I know many people who overstayed and never once got a knock on the door from the PF. I thought this only happened if you were reported. Any ideas?

As long as you pay the fine or pay on re-entry u wont have a problem after 180 days i shouldnt think.

sorry to tag onto this thread but i too am a little concerned now after reading your experiences JP

Originally posted by Iainluxford my question is....once i have applied at the consulate in london will i be free to travel back to brazil.....or will i need to wait for the actual visa...if so how long could that take??

I would have thought it was obvious that you have to wait for the visa (8 weeks more or less).  If you have already used up your full 180 day visit visa entitlement and are returning within the same 365 day cycle that began when you first entered Brazil, then you can only re-enter on a different visa status.  If you travel without waiting for your family reunion visa it's likely that you will be denied entry (or allowed to enter for only a few days).  It's also likely that some sleepy Immigration guard will not bother to check your immigration history and allow you  through, but these days computerized passport scanners do the work for them so it's not something worth taking a risk over.

Hello!
Maybe somebody can give any advice to my situation:
I'm stateless person (the person without the country which means I don't have the national passport) with Russian travel document. In December 2008 I have filed my documents to Ministerio de Trabalho e Emprego for the permanent (investor) visa and have already my process running on-line. Now I'm in Brazil on business visa which will be expired on 11th of February 2009. My travel document will be expired also in the end of July 2009. I do NOT wish to pro-long my travel document in Russia that means that by the time my Brazilian visa will be granted (hopefully!) I will no longer have any document to where the visa can possibly be stamped. I don't want to leave Brazil also as I officially invested money and have my company running here and also have nothing connecting me and my country of origin. Can I receive the permanent visa and/or Brazilian travel document here in Brazil without leaving the country? Please advise me what to do in my situation if somebody has an experience or anything reasonable in mind.
Thank you.