Is a Work Permit Needed in Brazil?
In Brazil, obtaining a work permit is crucial for foreign nationals due to the country’s specific economic and regulatory environment. One of the primary reasons for this requirement is to protect the local labor market. Brazil, with its large and diverse population, prioritizes employment opportunities for Brazilian citizens to ensure that economic growth benefits the local workforce first. By requiring work permits, the government can control the influx of foreign workers, ensuring that they are employed in positions where there is a clear need for their skills and not displacing local talent.
Another important reason for the work permit requirement is to support Brazil’s economic policies. The government uses the work permit system to attract highly skilled professionals who can contribute to key sectors such as technology, engineering, and healthcare, which are essential for national development. This targeted approach helps in addressing specific skill gaps in the economy, promoting innovation, and fostering economic growth. It also ensures that foreign workers bring in expertise that can enhance the competitiveness of Brazilian industries.
Additionally, Brazil places a strong emphasis on legal compliance and labor rights. The work permit process includes rigorous checks to ensure that foreign workers are employed under conditions that comply with Brazilian labor laws. This includes fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to social security benefits. By enforcing these standards, the government aims to prevent exploitation and ensure that all workers, whether local or foreign, are treated fairly and with respect.
Furthermore, the work permit system in Brazil also plays a role in maintaining national security. Through detailed reference checks and verification processes, the government ensures that foreign workers do not pose any security risks and have the necessary qualifications and professional credentials. This scrutiny helps in maintaining a safe and secure environment for both citizens and expatriates.
About the Brazil Job Market
Number of Expats:
> 736,000
Expats Job Websites:
Popular Industries for Expats:
Finance, IT, engineering, tourism, agriculture, oil and gas, hospitality
Types of Brazil Work Visa Available
Any foreign employee working in Brazil needs a residence permit and a work visa.
Brazil has various sorts of work visas, including:
- Permanent work visa (Visto Permanente): Workers from aforeign land qualified for permanent stay in Brazil typically look for this visa. It applies to proficient researchers, investors, and scientists with more than BRL 150,000 (updated in 2024) contributed per individual or BRL 500,000 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.
- ITEM 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.
- ITEM 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.
Requirements for a Brazil work visa
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 fulfill the eligibility criteria for a Brazil work visa, the applicant needs to prove the following:
- They have two years of professional experience in the relevant field and a minimum of 9 years of school-level education, or
- The applicant must have a relevant university degree and one year of relevant experience, or
- 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.
Note: 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.
Brazil Work Visa Application Process
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 working visa application procedure. To get an Afghanistan work visa, one has to follow this application process:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. In addition, organizations need to present the following documents to begin the work permit measure for representatives:
- Work Permit Application form
- Application and Candidate form
- Contractual alterations or company statutes registered with the Commercial Board or Public Civil Registry
- Document proving the appointment of the legal representative of the applicant
For Brazil work visa application, applicants should give their address details, verification of schooling, proof of professional experience, etc.
Timeframe for Work Permit Application
The Brazil work visa processing time typically varies, but on average, it takes 6-8 days for temporary permits. However, permanent work permits may take up to 30-60 days.
Brazilian Work Permit Fees
Brazil work visa fees typically differ and are based on the native country of the ex-pats. For example, US citizens must pay $290, but inhabitants of the UK need to pay $225.
The Brazilian work visa application fee for an Indian citizen is Rs.6400 per person, while for an employment visa, the cost for an Indian citizen is Rs. 8000.
This is how Multiplier can help with a Brazilian Work Permit
We are a Global EOR firm with experience handling and providing HR arrangements, with a presence in 150+ nations. For Multinational Corporate Companies that look for effective workforce management, our group of experts can deal with the most common way of onboarding and dealing with the staff.
The work permits and visas for working in Brazil are different, and the application cycle for the equivalent is a multi-step and drawn-out measure. Cooperating with Multiplier and its in-house experts can furnish you with a one-stop answer for this whole cycle. Besides, we will deal with the applications and grants all along and keep you refreshed on their turns of events.
