Updated October 2026 · Legal review: Isadora Rizzi, lawyer (OAB/PR 75.878)
To work legally in Brazil, a foreigner needs a migration permit that allows work. The Migration Law (Law No. 13,445/2017) provides several routes, and the right one depends on your profile.
What are the main routes?
- Employment with a Brazilian company: the company applies for the residence permit, showing that the professional’s qualifications match the position.
- Technical assistance or technology transfer: for professionals sent by a foreign company, with no employment relationship with the Brazilian one.
- Executives and directors: linked to foreign investment in the company.
- Mercosur or CPLP residence: nationals of these countries can work without a prior employment contract. See Mercosur residence.
- Family reunion: people with residence by family reunion can work freely.
- Digital nomad: for people who work remotely for companies or clients abroad. See Digital nomads in Brazil.
Can I enter as a tourist and look for a job?
You can look, but you cannot work on a visitor visa. To start working, you need the appropriate permit.
Are there limits on hiring foreigners?
The Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT, art. 354) sets a proportionality rule: as a rule, two thirds of employees and of the payroll must be Brazilian, with exceptions provided by law.
Most common documents
- Valid passport.
- Diplomas and proof of experience, apostilled and translated.
- Employment or service contract.
- Documents of the Brazilian company, when applicable.
Learn about work visas in Brazil →
Legal basis
- Law No. 13,445/2017, arts. 14 and 30.
- National Immigration Council (CNIg) Normative Resolutions on work.
- CLT, art. 354.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tourist work in Brazil?
No. The visitor visa does not allow paid work in Brazil.
Do I need a degree to work in Brazil?
It depends on the route. In some cases, proven professional experience replaces formal education.
How long does the permit take?
It varies by type and by the agency’s workload. Complete applications tend to receive fewer requests.