Any foreign employee working in Brazil needs a residence permit and a work visa. Brazil has various sorts of work visas, including:
1. Permanent work visa (Vis to Permanente):
Workers from a foreign land qualified for permanent stay in Brazil typically look for this visa. It applies to proficient researchers, investors, and scientists with more than $50,000 contributed per individual or $200,000 contributed per organization. Following two years, a few holders of a VITEM V visa in this classification can also apply for a permanent work visa.
2. VITEM V visa:
This visa is a temporary work visa in Brazil and is the most well-known working visa. This Brazil work visa is typically given to foreigners entering Brazil for their research abilities, technical prowess, or professional services for a work contract or other arrangement. Representatives in this class should get approval from the Ministry of Labor and Employment.
3. VITEM II visa (Business Trip):
It can also be considered a temporary work visa in Brazil for foreign nationals. Those going to Brazil for business can apply for a VITEM II visa. Nonetheless, they can’t acknowledge any money from organizations in Brazil. This visa is legitimate for as long as ten years, and permits stay for as long as 90 days of the year.
VITEM V is the most commonly used working visa in Brazil. Those foreigners who enter the country to provide technical assistance, research skills, and professional services are offered a VITEM V work visa. The temporary VITEM V visa requires a work permit to be issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment.
To fulfil the eligibility criteria for a Brazil work visa, the applicant needs to prove the following:
a) They have two years of professional experience in the relevant field and a minimum of 9 years of school-level education, or
b) The applicant must have a relevant university degree and one year of relevant experience, or
c) In case the applicant has a relevant post-graduate degree, no professional experience is needed.
A VITEM V visa is valid for two years and can be transformed into a permanent working visa after two years. Please also note that the Government of Brazil employs a proportionality requirement according to which the salaries paid to the native employees must be more than twice the amount paid to the foreigners.
Next comes the question of how to get a work visa in Brazil? First, both the parties, i.e., the employers and the employees, need to deal with the Brazil work visa application procedure. To get an Brazilian work visa, one has to follow this application process:
1. For Brazil work visa applications, the employers should present all potential workers’ reports and documents translated into Portuguese to the General Coordination of Immigration Department.
2. Then the reports are sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which instructs the Brazilian consulate in the employee’s native country to start the work visa procedure. Representatives, at that point, need to present all documents to the local embassy.
3. Only legal entities in Brazil can create a visa application. This implies that your organization should work with a worldwide PEO (Professional Employer Organisation) or have a registered subsidiary in the country.
4. In addition, organizations need to present the following documents to begin the work permit request for employees:
o Work Permit Application form
o Application and Candidate form
o Contractual alterations or company statutes registered with the Commercial Board or Public Civil Registry
o Document proving the appointment of the legal representative of the applicant
o For Brazil work visa application, applicants should give their address details, verification of schooling, proof of professional experience, etc.
1. What is a Brazil Work Permit?
A Brazil work permit is a legal document issued to foreign workers by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after considering their skills and experience. This is the fundamental requirement of the Brazilian Government before allowing any foreigner to work in Brazil.
2. Can I extend my Work Permit?
Yes, you can extend your Brazil work visa following a few steps mentioned by the Brazilian Government. First, the Government will grant temporary work visas and residence permits. Temporary permits can cover up to two years which can be extended only once. However, after four years, any employer can apply to switch the temporary visas to permanent alternatives. The latter will allow employees to live and work in Brazil for a prolonged period.
3. Can temporary work permit holders apply for permanent residency in Brazil?
Yes, temporary work permit holders can apply for a permanent residency in the country. The clause applies to proficient researchers, investors, and scientists with more than $50,000 contributed per individual or $200,000 contributed per organization, managers, and directors. In addition, following two years, a few holders of a VITEM V visa in this classification can also apply for a permanent work visa.
4. Can I bring my family to Brazil?
Yes, you can bring your family to Brazil. The clauses of the work and residence permits will finalize whether you can bring your family to Brazil. If you are an American citizen, you can apply for a family reunification visa. This will enable you to make your spouse and dependents permanent residents of Brazil. But here, you will need to prove that you stayed in the embassy region you applied to while fulfilling other required criteria.