Work permits for employees in Brazil: A complete guide for employers [2024]

Hiring in Brazil makes sense for many companies—the largest country in South America is home to a diverse and talented workforce that many businesses want to tap into. But before you onboard any Brazilian employees, you need to know that they're authorized to work in Brazil.

It's illegal to employ anyone who isn't authorized to work in the country where they reside. And the onus is on you, the employer, to make sure you're staying on the right side of the law.

So before you make your first hire in Brazil (or transfer an existing employee there), read on—this guide contains the information you need to know about work permits for employees in Brazil, including who needs one, how to get one, and other frequently asked questions.

What is a work permit in Brazil?

In Brazil, a work permit (or work visa) is an official document that authorizes a foreign national to work legally within the country for a specific period of time, after which they must either renew the visa, become a permanent resident, or return to their home country.

A number of government agencies are involved in overseeing and issuing work permits in Brazil: the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Coordination of Immigration Department, and the National Immigration Council

Who needs a work visa in Brazil?

Any foreign national who isn't a Brazilian citizen and doesn't have permanent residency in Brazil will need both a work visa and a residence permit in order to work in Brazil.

When you send an offer letter to a new hire in Brazil, it should include a clause about the employment offer being contingent on their eligibility to work in Brazil legally.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Brazil?

The processing time for a work permit in Brazil can vary, depending on which type of visa the applicant applies for. On average, processing takes about one week, but it can take up to several months in certain circumstances.

Types of work visas in Brazil

There are multiple types of visas available in Brazil, but as a foreign company hiring Brazilian workers (or bringing foreign employees to Brazil), these are the ones you're most likely to encounter:

• VITEM II (business trip) visa: Unlike in many other countries, Brazil requires even foreign visitors on business trips to obtain work visas. The VITEM II visa allows a foreign national to work in Brazil, but not to take any money from Brazilian companies. This visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows stays for up to 90 days per year.
• VITEM V (temporary work) visa: The VITEM V visa is the most common work visa issued to foreign nationals in Brazil. It allows them to work for a Brazilian company (or a global company with a presence in Brazil), typically for up to two years, providing technical assistance, research skills, or professional services.
• Permanent work visa (Visto Permanente): Foreign nationals who are entitled to permanent residence in Brazil can apply for a permanent work visa. This visa is available to managers, directors, professional researchers, scientists, and investors with more than $50,000 invested per person or $200,000 invested per company. Workers who first obtain a VITEM V visa may become eligible for a permanent work visa after two years.

Requirements for a work visa in Brazil

Each type of visa in Brazil has its own requirements. But for foreign workers, the VITEM V visa, or temporary work visa, will be the one most foreign employees need to qualify for. Requirements for a VITEM V visa include:

• At least two years of professional experience in a relevant field, plus a minimum of nine years of school-level education, or
• A relevant university degree and at least one year of professional experience, or
• A relevant post-graduate degree (no professional experience required).

It's also important to note that an employee cannot apply for a work visa in Brazil until they've obtained a temporary or permanent residence visa.

Application process for Brazil work visas

The first step of the work visa application process in Brazil must be taken by the employer, which means the first step is securing a job offer. Only a Brazilian legal entity can create a visa application for a foreign worker, so if your company has not established a business entity in Brazil, it will need to use an employer of record (EOR).

• The employer must submit all the correct documents (translated into Portuguese) to the General Coordination of Immigration Department. Documents the employer must submit include:
• Work permit application form
• Applicant and candidate form
• Documentation showing the legal status of the business entity sponsoring the visa (company statutes or contractual alterations registered with the Commercial Board or Public Civil Registry and a copy of the National Legal Entity Registration Card)
• Documentation showing a legal representative has been appointed for the employer
• An employment contract
• If the General Coordination of Immigration Department approves the application, they send it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which authorizes the prospective employee to start their visa application with the Brazilian Embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
• The prospective employee must submit all correct documents to their local Brazilian consulate or embassy. These include:
• Address details
• An authorized copy of their passport
• Proof of education and relevant professional experience
• Other relevant documents if requested
• If the work visa is approved, the employee must register with the Federal Police Department upon their arrival to Brazil.
  
  

Frequently asked questions about work permits for employees in Brazil

Can employees apply for their own work visas in Brazil?

No. Only an employer can start the visa application process, which requires all work visa applicants to have a job lined up before applying for their Brazilian work visa.

Do US citizens need a work permit to work in Brazil?

Yes. Every foreign national who plans to work in Brazil must have a work visa, even if they're only taking short, temporary business trips into the country.
What documents are required to apply for a Brazilian work permit?
Before applying for a Brazilian work permit, a foreign worker needs a resident visa and a work contract with an employer that already has a legal presence in Brazil (either through their own entity or an EOR).

Then, their employer can start the application process.

The employer needs the following documents:

• Work permit application form
• Applicant and candidate form
• Documentation showing the legal status of the business entity sponsoring the visa (company statutes or contractual alterations registered with the Commercial Board or Public Civil Registry and a copy of the National Legal Entity Registration Card)
• Documentation showing a legal representative has been appointed for the employer
• An employment contract (signed by both parties)

The employee needs these required documents:

• Address details
• An authorized copy of their passport
• Proof of education and relevant professional experience

What’s the fastest way to get a work permit in Brazil?

There's no way to rush the process of getting a work visa in Brazil. Luckily, processing times for Brazilian visas tend to be shorter than in many other countries, averaging a few weeks at most.

How much does it cost to get a Brazil work permit?

There is no standard visa application fee in Brazil—the cost of applying for a work permit depends on the applicant's home country. For US citizens, it costs $290. For UK citizens, $225. No matter where the applicant is from, the cost of the permit shouldn't exceed a few hundred US dollars.

Keep in mind that in addition to work visa fees, employers are required to pay immigration taxes when they bring a foreign national to Brazil to work.

Are family members included in work visa applications in Brazil?

A Brazilian work visa may allow the applicant to bring dependents with them to Brazil. Dependents are:

• Unmarried children under 18 years of age
• Ascendents or descendants of any age, if the applicant must support them
• Siblings, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren under 18 who are orphaned, or of any age if they cannot care for themselves
• Spouse or partner of any sex

Dependents of work visa holders may also legally work in Brazil, provided they are over 16 years of age.

How long is a Brazilian work visa valid?

A temporary work visa is valid for two years.

How do you renew your Brazilian work permit?

If an employee's work permit is set to expire or they change employers, they can submit a new application for a work permit. Temporary work permits can be renewed only once in Brazil, for an additional two years. After that, the visa holder must apply for permanent residency if they wish to stay in Brazil.

Is there a digital nomad visa in Brazil?

Yes, there is a digital nomad visa in Brazil. Read our guide to see all the countries that offer a digital nomad visa.

Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.