Extending a business visa in Brazil
We have written some articles about how to get your visa in Brazil. This article will particularly cover how you can extend your business visa and what is the required procedure.
Obtaining a business visa
Getting a business visa is very similar to getting a tourist visa as the procedure is almost the same. The only difference is that, for the temporary business visa, the traveler’s home company must attach a letter on its headed paper explaining the nature and purpose of the trip. This letter must contain the length of the trip and a declaration that no paid activity will be undertaken by the foreigner visiting Brazil.
Foreigners coming to effectively work in Brazil have two options: if he receives remuneration through a contract to a Brazilian company, he can stay for two years; if there is no remuneration, the period of stay goes from 90 days to one year.
Also, it is important to mention that some visa options grant permanent residence visa in Brazil. They are:
- Foreign senior manager
- Foreign investor
- Researches or high-level specialist
- The director, manager or administrator of a private non-profit organization
- A retired foreigner who wishes to reside in Brazil
- A close family member of a Brazilian citizen or resident (spouse or minor dependent)
Temporary business visas are granted to foreigners coming to Brazil under the following circumstances:
- Marketing evaluation
- Attending or speaking at fairs, congresses, seminars and other events of this nature
- Negotiation of sales and deals
- Demonstrating samples
- Making business contacts
- Holding interviews
Foreigners from some nationalities are not required to obtain a temporary business visa before coming to Brazil. Here a list of foreign businessmen who can enter Brazil only by presenting a valid passport and noting “business” on the Brazilian immigration landing card:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Monaco
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zeland
- Norway
- OSM Malta
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vatican
Foreigners originating from the countries listed above will have their passport stamped with a “permission to stay” by the Brazilian immigration official at their airport of entry. There is no charge for this permission of stay issued on arrival at Brazilians ports and airports.
Foreigners from countries not listed on the selection above are required to obtain a temporary visa before traveling to Brazil.
How to extend your visa?
In most cases, the period of stay can be extended once, for the same period of time it was initially granted. The visa extension is granted by the Ministry of Justice and to obtain it, the foreigner must contact the Federal Police before the original visa expires.
It is not necessary to return to the airport or port of entry to get your extension. All you have to do is to look for a Federal Police office and ask for orientation. The Federal Police is present in all Brazilian state capitals. You can look for the office that is closest to you here. Be aware that all information is provided in Portuguese.
Required documents
In order to request a visa extension, the foreigner must present the following documents to the Federal Police:
- Travel documents (passport, identity card, laissez-passer or other)
- Evidence of means of support
- Proof of reasons for requesting the extension
In case of self-employed applicants, an additional letter may be required from his bank, in order to testify his financial references. Also, some Brazilian consulates may ask the applicant to present an official declaration proving the non-existence of criminal record.