The visa requirements for companies providing goods and services to Brazil are outlined for MEI readers by ASG Immigration's Cameron Stone.
Brazil has what could be described as a ‘visa-national system’ in place for visitors
Some nationalities that are usually in the ‘non-visa national’ category, are actually ‘visa-nationals’ in the case of Brazil
There are current visa categories relating to entry for major events
In 2016, Brazil is a set to host the biggest sporting event of them all, the Olympics. Brazil will also host another of the world’s biggest sporting events in 2014, the FIFA World Cup. Annually, Brazil hosts the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, and of course, the Rio Carnival.
In addition to international visitors coming to watch these major events and experience Brazil’s vibrant culture, there are many visitors arriving for the purpose of temporarily supplying goods or services to the spectators, event participants, journalists and others.
General visa requirements for large-scale events
Entry requirements for people providing goods and services at major events can vary significantly for different countries. Work permission is generally required if a person is to work in a foreign country, however short periods of work can sometimes be allowed on Visit (non-work) visas. It is also the case that special arrangements are sometimes made for large-scale events.
Brazil’s visa requirements
Like many other countries, Brazil has what could be described as a ‘visa-national system’ in place for visitors, with nationals of certain countries requiring visas before entry, and other nationalities able to obtain a visa upon arrival. Most European country nationals, for example, can obtain a visa upon entry to Brazil. However it is worth noting that some nationalities that are usually in the ‘non-visa national’ category for most countries, such as Americans and Australians, are actually ‘visa-nationals’ in the case of Brazil, and therefore are required to obtain visas before travelling.
It is also important to note that Brazil has different visa types for short term visits, which can have different processing requirements and periods of permitted stay. The standard Business Visit visa allows a 90-day stay, which may be extended once. There is a separate Visit visa category for journalists, film crew and photographers, and another separate category for news correspondents.
Business Visit visas holders are allowed to attend business meetings, conferences and other activities related to new business opportunities in Brazil. In terms of work permission, the ‘Temporary Work’ visa allows a period of work of up to two years. The procedure for obtaining a Temporary Work visa involves the employer in Brazil first applying to the Ministry of Labour, which authorises the employment of the foreign worker and grants a work permit. The foreign worker then applies to the relevant consular post in their country of residence to obtain a visa.
Where a service is provided to a Brazilian company on a contract basis and the work is of a technical nature, the ‘Technical Assistance’ visa can be granted to allow work for a period of up to one year. A training plan for the technology transfer is required and the individual must have at least three years of experience. For short-term visits, a 90-day option is available with simplified criteria and streamlined processing requirements.
In terms of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), Brazil is a signatory country and the streamlined arrangements for the entry of skilled technicians providing a service to a Brazilian entity, as described above, reflect this. In terms of other international agreements which facilitate movement of skilled persons, the ‘Mercosur’ Regional Trade Agreement (also known as the Southern Common Market) has provisions for the movement of people within member countries. As a result Brazil has simplified procedures in place for citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay relating to obtaining residence and work permission.
Brazil’s visa requirements for suppliers for large-scale events
Whilst it is too early for Brazil to have developed any special visa arrangements for the 2014 World Cup or 2016 Olympics, there are current visa categories relating to entry for major events. The main requirement of the ‘Professional Artists and Sportsman’ visa is that, like the Temporary Work visa, the Ministry of Labour approves the athlete’s ‘work contract.’ With events the scale of the World Cup and the Olympics, it is likely that special arrangements will be made at least for athletes and those directly connected to the competition.
For most businesses with an eye on having a presence at major events coming up in Brazil, entry arrangements will most likely remain essentially the same as that discussed above for short-term entry and standard work. Persons supplying goods or services to bodies closely related to the running of an event, for example directly supplying services to an event organising body, would most likely be facilitated. The Temporary Work visa discussed above also allows a visa to be granted to persons supplying a service to the Brazilian Government – this application process is perhaps likely to be facilitated in the case of the World Cup and particularly the Olympics.
Needless to say, companies wishing to supply a service or goods at a major event in Brazil who are not closely associated with an organising or government body are advised to commence planning their immigration arrangements well in advance.
About Cameron Stone/ASG Immigration Limited
Cameron Stone works for ASG Immigration Limited in London and advises on global immigration as their International Specialist. He is a qualified Australian immigration adviser (MARN 0853023) and can be contacted on +44 20 7299 3330 or via e-mail at cameron@asgvisa.com.
This article is not intended to be a complete statement of the law relating to the subject matter. Advice should always be taken on specific matters and no responsibility can be accepted by ASG Immigration Limited for action taken based on the content of this article.
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