Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 3/25/2010

Question
Hi. My spouse is on his second interview for a job in Brazil.  My question: What are my chances for being able to get a work visa in Brazil.  I am dual Nationality, Portuguese and Canadian.  Thank you.

Answer
A work visa is very different from any other type of entry visa. You can ONLY work in Brazil if a company here, local or multinational, hires you to work for them. Or iff you are a citizen. That is the only legal way. You CAN teach English at the english language schools for the most part, but will NOT be able to teach Englissh at the private full service schools without a working permit. I think that  you can get one, but it will be time consuming and hard.  you should talk to the Brazilian consulate about that. I am 100% certain that he will tell you that you can only get a work visa if you have a job already. That is the law. He MIGHT be able to get you another type of visa, like a business visa, that might allow you temporary status, for a year, or six months, dunno, to get a job.

I know two foreigners in Brasil whose spouses do not work, and cannot work.