a cpf is required in order to obtain a cnpj - a cnpj cannot be issued to anyone without a cpf.

foreigners can get a cpf as long as they are on the country legally with a valid passport, meaning that anyone with a valid tourist or student visa can receive one - often in just a couple of days.

a cpf number enters a person, as well as their brazilian assets onto the taxpayers register, whilst also storing information about the taxpayer, and is a requirement for the buying of any property in brazil, as well as employment, opening bank accounts, and investing into any brazilian markets.