Brazilian work visa: what are the options and how to apply?

Foreigners can get a work visa in Brazil, but it’s necessary to follow some steps and present specific documents. In this text, we explain in detail the options for the Brazilian work visa and how to apply them.

If you want legal assistance from our specialized lawyers to deal with issues related to the matter, click here to access the service area and request yours.

Visa for foreigners to work in Brazil: a complex visa

A Brazilian work visa for foreigners to work in the country is possible, but it’s a complex visa to obtain. First, you need to apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and already have a contract with a company that operates in Brazil. Thus, only after receiving a work permit, the visa may be requested.

Therefore, getting this visa is something that can be quite complex. After all, you already need to have a contract with a company that operates in Brazil, in addition to authorization from the Ministry of Labor.

Follow the necessary steps below and, at the end of the text, some interesting visa alternatives for those who want to work in Brazil.

You must have a contract with a company that operates in Brazil

The Brazilian work visa or Visa based on the Employment Contract is requested when there is already a company in Brazil that intends to hire the foreigner for certain functions, creating an employment relationship. This is valid for the Brazilian work visa!

However, if you do not have a previous contract, there may be alternatives for your situation, such as the Digital Nomad visa or Investor visa.

The text continues after the form.

How to get a Brazilian work visa?

To get a Brazilian work visa you need to follow some steps using specific documents.

See the main steps that must be followed after obtaining a work permit:

• Gather the necessary documentation, which we talked about earlier;
• Complete the Visa Application Form. To understand how to complete the form, click here.
• Application Delivery Receipt (RER): When completing the form, you must print and sign the Application Delivery Receipt (RER), where the protocol number will be. A printed copy of your photograph is required, which must be pasted on the Receipt;
• Forward the printed and signed receipt, together with the original documents, to the Brazilian Consulate.

Alternative visas for foreigners who wish to work in Brazil

There are some visas that can allow you to work in Brazil but in other ways. That is, without a CLT employment contract with a Brazilian company and neither a Brazilian work visa.

Investor:

• It also requires a prior residence permit;
• Allows you to invest in businesses in Brazil and have access to opportunities for growth and development, as well as residence in the country;
• The required investment amount varies between R$150,000.00 and R$1,000,000.00.

Digital Nomad:

• flexibility of location, as this visa allows you to travel and work from anywhere in Brazil, as long as you have internet access;
• You must prove you have a contract with a foreign company that allows remote work and prove funds, either USD1,500 per month or an amount of USD18,000 in bank funds in your account;
• period of stay is around 2 years.

Work-holiday visa:

• The working-holiday visa allows you to work in Brazil, which can be a good opportunity to gain professional experience and expand your cultural horizons;
• The period of stay is shorter than the others.

Volunteer visa:

• You can carry out voluntary work in Brazil, that is, without salary remuneration;
• But you need to find an organization that accepts foreigners with your skills.

Research visa:

• Allows you to collaborate with institutions and researchers from other countries, which can help expand your professional networks and increase the visibility of your research;
• You need to have a prior partnership with a research institution.

How can a foreigner work in Brazil?

It’s possible for a foreigner to work in various functions in the country, without a Brazilian work visa, and may even not have an employment relationship with a Brazilian company, as in the case of researchers, digital nomads, investors, and voluntary activities, among others.

Other visas can also authorize work, such as a pensioner, retiree, or family reunion visa. Evaluate the possibility that best fits your reality.

However, as we have already said, to work with a “bond”, you need to be in contact with an interested company.

How to live and work legally in Brazil?

To legally live and work in Brazil, you need to get a contract with a company in the country or obtain an alternative visa, such as of researcher, Digital Nomad, investor, or even volunteer activity.

 

Types of work visas for foreigners in Brazil

The types of visas that allow foreigners to work are mostly temporary visas.

This is because, in reality, a visa cannot be permanent, after all, it’s just an authorization to enter the country. That is a justification that allows a foreigner to enter the country.

However, some visa options also grant residence permits, which can become permanent while also granting authorization to work.

With that in mind, a temporary work visa can be granted for cases of employment, for example, but these foreigners cannot assume a position in the management of companies. For management positions, there are specific visas.

Permanent Brazilian work visa

As we explained, there are no permanent visas. What may exist are residence permits or even naturalization, which allow stays in Brazil without defining an exit deadline.

The justification for these cases may be investment or work as a manager of commercial or civil society. In addition, other migration strategies can be put into practice according to your case, such as retirees and pensioners, among others.

If you want legal assistance from our specialized lawyers to deal with issues related to the matter, click here to access the service area and request yours.

Temporary visa and work in Brazil

Temporary visas have deadlines determined by the Migration Law. Thus, the term of the temporary visa is, on average, 2 years, extendable for another 2 years. In addition, there are visit visas, with a stay of up to 90 days.

However, the de facto Brazilian work visa, that is, the one that requires a CLT contract with a Brazilian company before the visa is issued, will have an indefinite period. That means, in general, the work visa will last for as long as your contract is valid. However, pay attention to the validity informed to you when you receive your Brazilian work visa, because some cases are granted with a maximum period of stay (2 years being the most common).

But what to do if you get fired or terminate your contract? We have already explained here on the blog cases of regularization of foreign work in Brazil without an employment relationship (article in Portuguese).

Deadlines for visas

The deadlines for each visa vary, so it’s important to remember that the deadlines begin to apply soon after the date of issue.

Can a foreigner with a tourist visa work in Brazil?

The answer is no, as they need to regularize their situation to remain in the country with a Brazilian work visa. This is because in order to grant the specific visa, you must first request authorization to carry out work.