Expert: Sandra - 7/15/2010

Question
Hi Sandra,

Hope you are doing good.
I was going through your previous blogs and really exited with your patients to answer all the queries.

I am an Indian,IT Employee.I recently got a opportunity to work for one of my clients based out in Brazil,Sau Paulo.My Hubby is also an IT employee in India.
He is going to accommodate me to Brazil with a  dependent visa.After he moves there we are planning for his IT job options in Brazil.

-- How easy it is to convert a dependent visa to a workvisa.Or is this visa status change not at all possible.
-- My work place would be in Maua.What is the best/economic place to stay to reduce travel cost.
-- How good is it to stay in Maua.Please recommend best place where the groceries/malls would be existing in order that I don't panic.

Will be waiting for you inputs on this.

Thank You very much.

Answer
I'm not sure I understand clearly what you have written. You already have a work visa for Brazil? Your husband is going to ACCOMPANY you to Brazil with a dependent visa?
As you know, a person with a dependent visa cannot work legally in Brazil.
Despite your success, jobs for gringos in Brazil are not easy to get, even, or especially, in IT. The company interested in hiring must spend time, money and energy applying for the visa, when they could hire a well-trained Brazilian.
I believe that you cannot change visa status, nor obtain a work visa, within Brazil.
Maua is quite a way from the center of Sao Paulo city. You should live as close to your work as possible. However, I do not know that side of town well enough to advise you (as I myself live in another city and am a visitor when in S.P.).