While MAJORITY supports traditional bank transfers to Brazil, most members sending money to Brazil use PIX, Brazil's instant national payment system, because it settles around the clock to any Brazilian bank account.
Quick answer
MAJORITY offers two ways to send money to a Brazilian bank account: PIX (the faster, most-used path) and a traditional bank transfer. For PIX, you need your recipient's PIX key: a CPF number, email address, phone number, or random key linked to their account. For a traditional bank transfer, you need their bank code, agency number (agência), and account number. Both methods land directly in your recipient's Brazilian real (BRL) account. The exchange rate and estimated delivery time appear in the app before you confirm either transfer.
What you need to know
- PIX is Brazil's central-bank-operated instant payment system. It settles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays, and funds typically arrive in seconds to minutes.
- A traditional bank transfer to Brazil goes through the standard interbank wire process. Delivery takes from same day up to 5 business days depending on the receiving bank and the day of the week.
- For PIX, your recipient provides a single PIX key: their CPF (Brazilian tax ID), registered email address, phone number, or a random key generated in their banking app. No bank code or account number is needed for PIX.
- For a traditional bank transfer, you need three pieces of information: the bank code (código do banco), the agency number (agência), and the account number (conta).
- Both delivery methods deposit BRL directly into your recipient's account at a Brazilian bank. PIX works with every bank and digital wallet that participates in the Banco Central do Brasil system.
- Both transfer types are included in the membership at $0 per transfer; the membership is $6.99 per month.
What you need before you start
Gather the right details before opening the app. The inputs differ depending on the option your recipient prefers.
For a PIX transfer (recommended for most senders):
- Recipient's full name. The name associated with their PIX key and bank account.
- PIX key. One of the following, whichever your recipient prefers to share: CPF (11-digit Brazilian tax ID), email address, phone number (with Brazil country code +55), or random key (a string generated in their banking app).
For a traditional bank transfer:
- Recipient's full name. Must match the account holder name on file at the Brazilian bank.
- Bank name and bank code. The institution holding the account (for example, Banco Bradesco, Banco Itaú, or Nubank) and its three-digit Banco Central do Brasil bank code.
- Agency number (agência). The branch number, typically 4 digits, sometimes with a check digit.
- Account number (conta). The full account number, including the account-type digit if required by the bank.
If your recipient is unsure which details to share, ask them to open their banking app and go to the Pix keys or account details screen; both sets of information are displayed there.
Brazilian banks supported for money transfers
Money transfers land in accounts at most major Brazilian banks and digital-payment platforms. The list below covers institutions available through the Brazil destination.
| Bank type | Examples |
|---|---|
| National retail banks | Banco do Brasil, Caixa Econômica Federal, Banco Bradesco, Banco Itaú, Banco Santander |
| Digital banks and fintechs | Nubank (Nu Pagamentos), Banco Inter, Neon (Banco Votorantim), PicPay Serviços, Mercado Pago |
| Payment institutions | Stone Pagamentos SA |
The in-app recipient flow shows the current full list. If your recipient's institution is not displayed, they may be able to receive via PIX to any account registered in the Banco Central do Brasil PIX directory, regardless of bank.
Step-by-step: send money to a Brazilian bank account
The entire process happens in the app. The steps below cover both PIX (the primary path) and traditional bank transfer (the secondary path).
Option A — PIX transfer (faster, recommended)
- Open the app and tap Send money.
- Select Brazil as the destination country.
- Select PIX as the delivery method.
- Add your recipient. Enter their full name and their PIX key (CPF, email, phone number, or random key). Save the recipient to reuse the details next time.
- Enter the USD amount you want to send. The app immediately shows the current USD-to-BRL exchange rate and the exact BRL amount your recipient will receive.
- Review the transfer summary. Confirm the recipient name, the PIX key, the USD amount, the BRL amount, the exchange rate, and the estimated delivery time.
- Authenticate with your PIN or biometrics and submit.
- Track the transfer on the activity screen. PIX transfers typically show as received within minutes.
Option B — Traditional bank transfer
- Open the app and tap Send money.
- Select Brazil as the destination country.
- Select Bank transfer as the delivery method.
- Add your recipient. Enter their full name, select their bank, and enter the agency number and account number. Save the recipient for future transfers.
- Enter the USD amount. The app shows the USD-to-BRL exchange rate and the BRL amount your recipient will receive.
- Review the transfer summary. Confirm all bank details before tapping confirm — a wrong account number can delay or return the transfer.
- Authenticate with your PIN or biometrics and submit.
- Track the transfer on the activity screen. Traditional bank transfers to Brazil typically land within the same business day to 5 business days.
If anything looks off on the summary screen, tap back and correct the detail before confirming.
PIX vs. traditional bank transfer: which to choose
| PIX | Traditional bank transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| What the recipient needs to share | PIX key (CPF, email, phone, or random key) | Bank code, agency number, and account number |
| Typical delivery | Seconds to minutes | Same day to 5 business days |
| Available | 24/7 including holidays | Business days (receiving bank dependent) |
| Works with | Any Banco Central do Brasil-registered bank or wallet | Banks that accept incoming international wire transfers |
| Best for | Speed and simplicity | Recipients without a registered PIX key |
For most senders, PIX is the simpler choice because the recipient only needs to share one string, with no bank codes or branch numbers involved.
How long a Brazil money transfer takes
PIX: Funds typically arrive in seconds to minutes after the transfer is submitted. Banco Central do Brasil's PIX system runs 24/7 with no downtime for weekends or Brazilian public holidays.
Traditional bank transfer: Delivery ranges from same day to 5 business days. A few factors can affect timing:
- Day of week and holidays. Some Brazilian banks process incoming international transfers only on business days.
- First transfer to a new recipient. Some banks apply a compliance check on the first inbound international deposit to a new account.
- Account detail errors. A wrong agency number or account number can trigger a rejection and delay the return of funds.
- Large amount. Transfers above certain thresholds may be held for compliance review.
The in-app estimated delivery time accounts for the receiving institution and the time of day, and is the most accurate number for your specific transfer.
What it costs to send money to Brazil
Both PIX and traditional bank transfers to Brazil have the same cost structure.
- The monthly membership is $6.99 per month. It includes money transfers to more than 30 countries, including Brazil, at $0 per transfer — no per-transfer fee on either PIX or bank transfer.
- The exchange rate is the USD-to-BRL rate at the time you confirm the transfer. The rate and the BRL amount your recipient will receive appear in the app before you submit, so you can decide based on the actual number.
There is no additional charge for choosing PIX over a traditional bank transfer, or vice versa.
What to do next
- Ask your recipient whether they prefer PIX or a traditional bank transfer, and have them send you the matching details (PIX key, or bank code + agência + account number).
- Open the app, tap Send money, and select Brazil.
- Choose PIX or Bank transfer, add the recipient details, enter the USD amount, and review the rate and BRL total.
- Confirm and save the recipient for faster transfers next time.
How MAJORITY can help
MAJORITY is a financial membership for migrants in the US that includes money transfers to more than 30 countries, including Brazil. Whether your recipient prefers PIX or a traditional bank deposit, you can send in the app with the exchange rate and estimated delivery time visible before you confirm. There is no per-transfer fee at the member tier, and the membership is $6.99 per month.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PIX key and how does my recipient find it?
A PIX key is an identifier that links a person to their Brazilian bank account in the Banco Central do Brasil's PIX directory. It can be a CPF (the 11-digit Brazilian tax ID), a registered email address, a phone number with the +55 country code, or a random key generated in their banking app. Your recipient can view and share their PIX keys from the Pix section of any Brazilian banking app.
Can I send money to Brazil without a PIX key?
Yes. If your recipient does not have a registered PIX key, you can use the traditional bank transfer option instead. You will need their bank name, bank code, agency number (agência), and account number. Ask your recipient to find these details in the account information section of their banking app or on a recent statement.
Which Brazilian banks receive money transfers?
Transfers land at major Brazilian banks and payment platforms, including Banco do Brasil, Caixa Econômica Federal, Banco Bradesco, Banco Itaú, Banco Santander, Nubank, Banco Inter, Neon, PicPay, Mercado Pago, Stone, and others. For PIX, any account registered in the Banco Central do Brasil PIX directory can receive funds, regardless of institution.
How long does a money transfer to Brazil take?
PIX transfers typically arrive in seconds to minutes, around the clock. Traditional bank transfers take from same day to 5 business days depending on the receiving bank, the time of day, and whether it is a Brazilian business day. The in-app estimated delivery time is the most accurate number for your specific transfer.
Is there a fee to send a bank transfer to Brazil?
There is no per-transfer fee on money transfers to Brazil at the member tier — for either PIX or traditional bank transfer. The monthly membership is $6.99 and includes money transfers to more than 30 countries. The exchange rate applies at the time of the transfer, and both the rate and the BRL amount appear in the app before you confirm.
What happens if I enter the wrong PIX key or bank details?
For PIX, an incorrect key that does not match any registered account will be rejected before the transfer is submitted. The app will alert you so you can correct it. For a traditional bank transfer, an incorrect account number or agency may result in the transfer being rejected by the receiving bank and returned to your balance after a processing period. Contact support through the app if a transfer does not arrive as expected.
Disclosures
The MAJORITY app facilitates banking services through Axiom Bank, N.A. ("Axiom"), Member FDIC. The funds deposited in the account held at Axiom, Member FDIC, are FDIC-insured on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 per depositor in the event Axiom fails and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Non-deposit products or services such as money transfers and telecom services are not FDIC-insured.
MAJORITY Visa® Debit Card is issued by Axiom Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.