Visa types for short-stay visit to Brazil
Making a short visit as a non-tourist
Business trips and attendance at fairs and congresses are covered by a non-resident short-stay business visa similar to a tourist visa. Some executives do in fact travel and enter Brazil on tourist visas, and while frequently this may go unnoticed they are always running the risk that their visa status may be questioned. Officially speaking, a executives entering Brazil with a wrongly-declared tourist visa risks being refused entry and requires to fly home on the next plane.
The short-stay business visa is appropriate for the following purposes:
- Making business contacts, interviews, demonstrating samples, negotiating, etc.
- Evaluating markets.
- Making preparatory contacts that may or will lead to establishing a company in Brazil.
- Attending fairs, congresses, etc.
- Speaking at congresses, seminars, etc (without local payment).
The validity of a business visa varies according to the nationality of the traveler, and depends on international reciprocity agreements. Rules are basically the same as for tourist visas – i.e. a multiple re-entry visa of up to five years, with individual visits limited to 90 days, with one extension. As with the tourist visa, in any 12-month period a business traveler may not spend more than a total 180 days in Brazil.
Obtaining a non-resident business visa
Not all nationalities are required to obtain a business visa before traveling to Brazil. Essentially, as with tourist visas the position is one of international reciprocity. Those countries whose citizens are required to obtain business visas BEFORE TRAVELING to Brazil are shown at countries that require visa.
Other travelers – those who are not required to seek prior issuance of a business visa – can enter Brazil by showing a valid passport or other document, if allowed (for example: identity card) and noting "business" on the Brazilian immigration landing card, which is handed out during international flights to the country.
Procedures for obtaining a visa prior to departure are essentially the same as for a tourist visa, with the additional requirement that the traveler's home company must annex a letter on its headed paper explaining the nature and purpose of the trip. This letter should specify the duration of the trip and include a declaration that no paid activity will be undertaken by the individual in Brazil.
A few Brazilian consulates around the world still ask applicants for an official declaration that they have no criminal record.
Rendering Technical Services
A trip with a purpose to work in Brazil, to render technical services requires that the foreigner, regardless his nationality, holds a temporary visa item V prior to his arrival in Brazil. The foreigner will not be considered as an employee of the Brazilian Company, as he will remain as an employee of the foreign Company.
If the candidate does not need to work for more than 30 (thirty) days and the situation that required his presence in Brazil is an emergency (a situation that could not be forecasted and that might endanger life, the environment, assets or that had cause the interruption of production or services), the work visa can be obtained at the Brazilian Consulate from the candidate´s jurisdiction. This visa will allow only one entry in Brazil, it can be requested again after 90 (ninety) days it was issued and it can not be extended.
If the candidate needs to stay longer, up to 90 (ninety) days, the Brazilian Company that will receive the foreigner must apply for the temporary work visa item V at the Ministry of Labor. This visa can be extended once and it can be granted again successively.
Business trips and attendance at fairs and congresses are covered by a non-resident short-stay business visa similar to a tourist visa. Some executives do in fact travel and enter Brazil on tourist visas, and while frequently this may go unnoticed they are always running the risk that their visa status may be questioned. Officially speaking, a executives entering Brazil with a wrongly-declared tourist visa risks being refused entry and requires to fly home on the next plane.
The short-stay business visa is appropriate for the following purposes:
- Making business contacts, interviews, demonstrating samples, negotiating, etc.
- Evaluating markets.
- Making preparatory contacts that may or will lead to establishing a company in Brazil.
- Attending fairs, congresses, etc.
- Speaking at congresses, seminars, etc (without local payment).
The validity of a business visa varies according to the nationality of the traveler, and depends on international reciprocity agreements. Rules are basically the same as for tourist visas – i.e. a multiple re-entry visa of up to five years, with individual visits limited to 90 days, with one extension. As with the tourist visa, in any 12-month period a business traveler may not spend more than a total 180 days in Brazil.
Obtaining a non-resident business visa
Not all nationalities are required to obtain a business visa before traveling to Brazil. Essentially, as with tourist visas the position is one of international reciprocity. Those countries whose citizens are required to obtain business visas BEFORE TRAVELING to Brazil are shown at countries that require visa.
Other travelers – those who are not required to seek prior issuance of a business visa – can enter Brazil by showing a valid passport or other document, if allowed (for example: identity card) and noting "business" on the Brazilian immigration landing card, which is handed out during international flights to the country.
Procedures for obtaining a visa prior to departure are essentially the same as for a tourist visa, with the additional requirement that the traveler's home company must annex a letter on its headed paper explaining the nature and purpose of the trip. This letter should specify the duration of the trip and include a declaration that no paid activity will be undertaken by the individual in Brazil.
A few Brazilian consulates around the world still ask applicants for an official declaration that they have no criminal record.
Rendering Technical Services
A trip with a purpose to work in Brazil, to render technical services requires that the foreigner, regardless his nationality, holds a temporary visa item V prior to his arrival in Brazil. The foreigner will not be considered as an employee of the Brazilian Company, as he will remain as an employee of the foreign Company.
If the candidate does not need to work for more than 30 (thirty) days and the situation that required his presence in Brazil is an emergency (a situation that could not be forecasted and that might endanger life, the environment, assets or that had cause the interruption of production or services), the work visa can be obtained at the Brazilian Consulate from the candidate´s jurisdiction. This visa will allow only one entry in Brazil, it can be requested again after 90 (ninety) days it was issued and it can not be extended.
If the candidate needs to stay longer, up to 90 (ninety) days, the Brazilian Company that will receive the foreigner must apply for the temporary work visa item V at the Ministry of Labor. This visa can be extended once and it can be granted again successively.
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