Brazil operates a visa-based work authorisation system designed to support foreign professionals contributing to the Brazilian economy while maintaining regulatory oversight. For international employees relocating to Brazil for corporate assignments, understanding the visa categories and registration requirements is essential for compliance and successful integration.

Brazilian immigration distinguishes between temporary and permanent visa pathways, with employer-sponsored routes offering the most common access for skilled workers. This guide focuses on the primary temporary work visa categories available to professionals joining Brazilian employers.

For a comprehensive overview of how visa and work permit requirements apply across corporate mobility programmes, see our HR guide to visa and work permit requirements for corporate employees.

While your employer manages the visa application and work authorisation process, this resource provides practical context on what to expect throughout your relocation.

For a broader look at what daily life in Brazil looks like for relocating professionals beyond the visa process, see our guide on living in Brazil as an expat.

Temporary Work Visa (VITEM V)

The Temporary Work Visa (VITEM V) is the primary pathway for foreign nationals employed by Brazilian companies or foreign companies with operations in Brazil. This visa is designed for skilled professionals, executives, and technical specialists taking up employment in Brazil.

To qualify, you must have a confirmed job offer or employment contract with a Brazilian entity, meet any applicable minimum salary or qualification requirements (which vary by visa subcategory), and obtain work authorisation from the Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment prior to visa issuance.

The VITEM V visa has multiple subcategories, including employment with a signed employment contract, technical assistance or technology transfer agreements, provision of specialised services without an employment relationship, and intra-company transfers. Each subcategory has specific requirements and documentation needs.

Temporary Work Visas are typically issued for up to two years initially and can be renewed. The visa validity corresponds to the work authorisation granted by the Ministry of Labour.

For employees relocating to Brazil, Portuguese is the working language of daily life and business. While our Spanish language guide for expats covers a closely related language widely spoken across Latin America, dedicated Portuguese preparation is strongly recommended for Brazil specifically.

Intra-company transfer provisions

Foreign employees transferring from a foreign office to a Brazilian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate within the same corporate group can apply under the intra-company transfer subcategory of the VITEM V visa. This pathway is designed for managers, executives, and employees with specialised knowledge.

To qualify, you must be employed by the foreign entity in a managerial, executive, or specialised knowledge role, and the Brazilian entity must have a qualifying corporate relationship with the foreign entity. The transfer must be temporary and for the benefit of the Brazilian operations.

Intra-company transfer visas are granted for the assignment duration, typically up to two years with the possibility of extension. Unlike some jurisdictions, Brazil does not have a separate visa category specifically for ICTs but includes them under the VITEM V framework.

Work authorisation process

Brazilian work visas require prior authorisation from the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Coordenação-Geral de Imigração, or CGIg). The employer submits the work authorisation application to the CGIg electronically, providing the employment contract, proof of the company’s registration and tax compliance, evidence of the employee’s qualifications, and justification for hiring a foreign worker.

Once the CGIg approves the work authorisation, the employee can apply for the VITEM V visa at a Brazilian consulate abroad. The consulate issues the visa based on the approved work authorisation and supporting documentation.

Work authorisation processing times vary but typically range from four to eight weeks. Visa processing at the consulate takes an additional one to two weeks.

For a full framework covering how organisations manage international employee moves from assignment structuring through to arrival, see our guide on how to move employees from one country to another.

Application timeline and arrival procedures

The complete process involves three stages: work authorisation approval from the Ministry of Labour, visa issuance at the Brazilian consulate, and registration with the Federal Police upon arrival in Brazil.

Upon arrival in Brazil with a VITEM V visa, the employee must register with the Federal Police within 90 days to obtain the National Migration Registry (RNE) card, which serves as the official identification document for foreign residents. The RNE registration involves biometric data collection and residential address registration.

Failure to complete RNE registration within 90 days results in fines and potential immigration consequences.

Dependent visas and family relocation

Spouses and dependent children of VITEM V visa holders are eligible for Dependent Visas (VITEM XI). Dependent visa holders cannot work in Brazil without obtaining their own work authorisation and VITEM V visa from a separate employer.

Dependent visa applications are submitted at the Brazilian consulate alongside or after the primary visa application. Dependent visas are issued with validity corresponding to the primary visa holder’s authorisation.

For a full breakdown of how dependent visa applications work and what rights family members hold across jurisdictions, see our guide on what happens to your dependent’s visa when you relocate for work.

Compliance and registration obligations

VITEM V visa holders must work only for the sponsoring employer in the authorised role. Changing employers requires a new work authorisation application and visa amendment. Extensions of stay require renewal of work authorisation before the current authorisation expires.

All foreign residents must carry their RNE card and present it upon request by authorities. The RNE card must be renewed in line with work authorisation extensions.

Any changes to residential address, marital status, or employment must be reported to the Federal Police through the RNE update process within 30 days.

For a detailed guide on how expatriate tax compliance works across jurisdictions, see our expatriate tax compliance guide.

What employers handle when sponsoring a work permit for Brazil

Sponsoring a work permit for Brazil is an employer-led process in which the employer, supported by an immigration firm, secures the right for an international employee to work in Brazil. The employee provides documents and attends any appointments, while the employer and its partners coordinate the filing and timeline.

• Confirming the right permit category for the role, salary and assignment length, with an immigration firm preparing the application
• Meeting employer obligations such as registration, salary thresholds and reporting changes in employment
• Aligning the permit timeline with the start date, temporary housing and household goods shipment under the relocation policy
• Coordinating dependant applications so family members can travel and settle at the same time
• Tracking permit expiry and renewal dates throughout the assignment

HR and mobility teams can find the wider employer view in our visa and work permit requirements guide for HR and mobility teams. For what daily life looks like once the work permit is approved, see our guide to living in Brazil as an expat.

MovePlus support

The MOVEPLUS™ platform is designed to track visa validity dates, expirations, compliance requirements, and renewal timelines, helping employers stay informed of key deadlines and obligations.

Through the MOVEPLUS™ platform, visa documentation is centralised, and key milestones such as petition, consular processing timelines and submission deadlines can be tracked when this information is provided by the immigration partner.  This coordination helps reduce administrative burden and supports better oversight of important tasks and timelines.

For organisations reviewing how their mobility programme handles Brazil-specific compliance and permit coordination, our consultancy services team works with HR and mobility leads to design frameworks that account for destination-specific requirements.

Get in touch to discuss how MovePlus can support your Brazil relocations.

Conclusion

Brazil’s work visa system is structured to support foreign professionals while maintaining regulatory oversight through the work authorisation process. The VITEM V visa serves as the primary pathway for corporate relocations, offering multi-year validity with extension options.

Your employer manages the work authorisation and visa application process. MovePlus supports the logistical coordination, ensuring timelines are met, RNE registration is completed, and compliance obligations are tracked throughout your assignment.

Sources

• Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security: Visa categories and immigration procedures
• Ministry of Labour and Employment (CGIg): Work authorisation requirements for foreign nationals
• Federal Police of Brazil: RNE registration and residence procedures

Disclaimer:

Information provided in this article is current as of April 2026 and is subject to change as immigration laws and regulations evolve. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration adviser for case-specific guidance.