The criteria for approval of an employment visa include suitable educational qualifications or work experience, a secured employment contract in Brazil, provide proof of adequate means of subsistence in Brazil, police confirmation that you have no criminal record, and a satisfactory medical examination. All official documents must be translated into Portuguese. The application processing period is normally around 2-3 months.

Employment visas are issued for a specific job, and are not transferable between employers in Brazil without permission. Visas are also issued to the employment-visa holder's spouse and children.

Permanent Visas

There are seven categories of application for a permanent visa to live and work in Brazil. These include marriage and family unification categories, as well as categories covering business executives and entrepreneurs, high level specialists, investors and retirees.

Businessmen and Professionals

Permanent visas are issued to administrators, managers and directors of professional or business corporations, who are already employed by the company and are moving to Brazil on intra-company transfer. There is a minimum requirement for the parent company to invest at least US$ 200,000 per visa in the Brazil-based subsidiary, and to provide evidence that they are bringing value to Brazil in the form of increased productivity, technology transfer or social benefits. Visas are also issued to administrators, managers or directors of start-up companies, who are not required to meet the minimum investment or job creation criteria which apply to established companies.

Researchers or other high-level specialists employed by Brazilian research institutions may also be granted a permanent visa.