Brazil Visa & Work Permit Guide

All non-Brazilian nationals must obtain legal authorization to work and reside in Brazil. 

The two primary options for skilled employment are the VITEM V Work Permit (sponsored by a Brazilian employer) and the MERCOSUR Permit (for nationals of select South American countries).

The VITEM V requires employer sponsorship and approval from the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Justice, with a focus on aligning job offers to the applicant’s qualifications and maintaining the legal ratio of local to foreign workers.

The MERCOSUR permit, on the other hand, offers residence and work authorization for citizens of MERCOSUR and associated countries without requiring an employment offer at the time of application.

Summary: Legal work in Brazil generally requires a VITEM V Work Permit for foreign hires, or a MERCOSUR residence visa for eligible regional nationals.

(Source: https://www.gov.br/mre/ and https://www.gov.br/pf/)

VITEM V Work Permit

For non-Brazilian nationals with a valid job offer from a Brazilian employer under the CLT labor regime.

• Validity: Up to 2 years (based on employment contract)
• Sponsorship: Required
• Transferable: No – new permit required for new role
• Labor Market Test: Indirect – employers must comply with 2:1 Brazilian-to-foreign employee ratio

Eligibility:

All foreign documents must be apostilled (or legalized if not apostille-eligible) and translated by a sworn translator in Brazil.

• Must be hired under Brazil’s CLT (Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho) regime
• Job must match the applicant’s degree or experience
• Minimum qualifications: university degree or 2+ years of experience
• Additional justification required if qualifications are lacking
• Salary must align with local market standards (typically BRL 3,000 – BRL 7,000/month or higher)
• Clean criminal record from country of residence
• Valid health insurance

Processing time: Typically 2 to 5 months from work authorization filing to visa issuance, depending on approval timelines and documentation completeness (apostilles and sworn translations often cause delays).

Validity: Renewable and may lead to long-term residence.

(Source: https://www.gov.br/mte/)

MERCOSUR Permit

For nationals of MERCOSUR and associated countries (e.g., Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Peru).

• Validity: Up to 2 years
• Sponsorship: Not required
• Transferable: N/A – work permitted once residence granted
• Labor Market Test: Not applicable

Eligibility:

• Proof of nationality from eligible country
• Residence request filed at consulate abroad or with Brazilian Federal Police
• Clean criminal record (past 5 years)
• Proof of means of support (job, funds, or sponsor declaration)
• Valid health insurance or enrollment in public health system (SUS)
• Proof of accommodation
• Processing time: Up to 3 months
• Renewable and may lead to permanent residence

Source: https://www.gov.br/pf/pt-br/assuntos/imigracao/estrangeiro

General Employment Permit (Highly Restricted)

N/A: General employment without qualifications or sponsorship is not a viable path under Brazilian immigration law.

Self-Employment or Entrepreneur Visa

Brazil offers a distinct investor or entrepreneur visa for those launching businesses, which requires:

• Business plan
• Legal company registration
• Minimum capital investment (usually BRL 500,000 or BRL 150,000 if strategic innovation)

Source: https://www.gov.br/mre/

Exemptions From Work Permit Requirements

Some individuals may work or reside in Brazil without a traditional work permit:

• Brazilian citizens and permanent residents
• Spouses and dependents of Brazilian citizens (subject to family reunification process)
• MERCOSUR nationals with valid residence status
• Accredited diplomatic personnel and staff under international cooperation agreements

⚠️ Most exemptions apply under strict conditions and must be documented. Always verify with Brazilian immigration authorities.

The default pathway for hiring foreign talent in Brazil is via the VITEM V Work Permit:

• Employer (or EOR like RemoFirst) drafts a compliant CLT employment contract.
• Application submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Justice.
• Once approved, the employee applies for a VITEM V visa at the Brazilian consulate in their home country.
• Upon arrival in Brazil, the employee registers with the Federal Police and receives a foreign resident ID (CRNM).

This is the most structured and employer-driven path to work authorization in Brazil.

(Source: https://www.gov.br/pf/)

Yes. The VITEM V Work Permit requires employer sponsorship by a legally registered company in Brazil.

Sponsoring employers must:

• Comply with the 2:1 ratio of Brazilian to foreign workers
• Draft a compliant CLT employment contract
• Demonstrate the job matches the applicant’s qualifications
• Submit all required documents to the Ministry of Labor

Exceptions:

• MERCOSUR nationals do not need sponsorship to apply for residence and work rights
• Spouses of Brazilian citizens or residents may apply for independent work authorization

Who Qualifies (Employee Side):

• Non-Brazilian citizen or resident
• Job offer from a CLT-registered Brazilian company
• University degree or 2+ years of experience in the relevant field
• Clean criminal record (apostilled + translated)
• Valid private or public health insurance
• Proof of qualifications and relevant experience

What the Employer Must Provide:

• Signed CLT employment contract
• Job description tailored to applicant’s qualifications
• Compliance with 2:1 local-to-foreign employee ratio
• Proof of business registration and good standing
• Salary aligned with market benchmarks

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Exemptions and Alternative Pathways:

• Digital Nomad Visa: Launched in 2022 for remote workers
• Investment Visa: For individuals launching or funding a company
• MERCOSUR Permit: Popular option for regional hires without sponsorship

Tax and Compliance Considerations:

• Income tax applies from the first day of residence
• Brazil uses a progressive tax system; rates vary by income
• Enrollment with the Receita Federal (tax authority) is mandatory
• Employees must register for INSS (social security) under CLT

Long-term Residence and Permanent Residency:

• After 2+ years, temporary residents may apply to renew or convert to permanent status
• MERCOSUR residents may apply for permanent residence after renewal
• Brazilian citizenship possible after 4 years (or 1 year if married to a citizen)
  (Source: https://www.gov.br/receitafederal/)

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• Application prep and documentation: 1–2 months
• VITEM V approval: 4–8 months depending on volume
• MERCOSUR residence: up to 6 months
• Consular visa issuance: 1–2 months
• Federal Police registration: within 30 days of arrival

Common Delays Include:

• Incomplete contract or job description
• Employer non-compliance with labor ratio
• Missing apostilles or translations for documents
• Backlogs at consulates or the Ministry of Labor

Navigating Brazil’s work permit and residence environment can be complex — but that’s where RemoVisa adds value. We help employers and foreign hires by:

• Managing employer-sponsored visa applications: We guide your legal entity registration (if needed), draft compliant job documentation and vacancy justification, and submit work permit requests through the official portal.
  
  
• Ensuring compliant work permit + residence permit processing: We coordinate all required documents (passport, translations, contracts, proof of housing, legal attestations) and monitor approvals.
  
  
• Leveraging global coverage (85+ countries): As part of a broad global EOR network, we make Brazil just one option among many, scaling hiring across regions.
  
  
• Providing managed support from immigration experts: Our team knows the nuances, common pitfalls, and how to anticipate delays or required follow-ups.
  
  
• Bundling visa support with payroll, benefits, onboarding: Foreign hires become fully integrated employees without burdening your internal HR — from employment contract to residency compliance to payroll and benefits delivery.

Plus: If your new hire has dependents (spouse or minor children), we can help with dependent permits, housing support, and compliance with resident-application requirements.

Find out what specific permits or visas in Brazil we support under our Employer of Record and RemoVisa service.

• Ministry of Labor – Brazil
• Federal Police – Immigration
• Receita Federal – Tax Authority