Brazilian immigration authorities have quietly transformed visitor status—traditionally limited to meetings and market research—into a powerful new tool for corporate mobility. Under rules effective 8 October 2025, foreign nationals can perform short-term technical assistance and technology-transfer work for up to 90 days (extendable once) under a simple visitor visa instead of the heavier VITEM V work permit.
The change, published by the National Immigration Council (CNIG), was welcomed by multinationals in oil-and-gas, IT and heavy industry that often fly in engineers for warranty repairs or software installs. The visitor route eliminates local-labour-market tests and reduces lead time from four-plus weeks to as little as 48 hours for nationals of countries that are visa-exempt or can use Brazil’s e-Visa platform.
![Brazil Broadens Visitor Status to Cover Short-Term Technical Assignments]()
Eligibility still varies by nationality because Brazil applies reciprocity; U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens must now obtain an e-Visa after the April 2025 reinstatement of visa requirements, while Europeans and most Latin Americans remain exempt. Companies must also show a services contract between the foreign and Brazilian entities and prove that remuneration will be paid outside Brazil.
Corporate mobility managers should update their travel matrices: short technical trips (installing machinery, auditing IT systems, training staff) can now be booked on visitor status, reducing cost and paperwork. However, PF inspectors may interpret the rules differently during rollout, so travellers should carry invitation letters and return tickets. Longer or recurring projects still require a temporary work visa.
The reform aligns Brazil with trends in Mexico and Chile, which have similarly expanded business-visitor categories to attract high-skill know-how without long-term immigration. For companies facing tight project deadlines in Brazil, the new flexibility is a timely win.
The change, published by the National Immigration Council (CNIG), was welcomed by multinationals in oil-and-gas, IT and heavy industry that often fly in engineers for warranty repairs or software installs. The visitor route eliminates local-labour-market tests and reduces lead time from four-plus weeks to as little as 48 hours for nationals of countries that are visa-exempt or can use Brazil’s e-Visa platform.
Eligibility still varies by nationality because Brazil applies reciprocity; U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens must now obtain an e-Visa after the April 2025 reinstatement of visa requirements, while Europeans and most Latin Americans remain exempt. Companies must also show a services contract between the foreign and Brazilian entities and prove that remuneration will be paid outside Brazil.
Corporate mobility managers should update their travel matrices: short technical trips (installing machinery, auditing IT systems, training staff) can now be booked on visitor status, reducing cost and paperwork. However, PF inspectors may interpret the rules differently during rollout, so travellers should carry invitation letters and return tickets. Longer or recurring projects still require a temporary work visa.
The reform aligns Brazil with trends in Mexico and Chile, which have similarly expanded business-visitor categories to attract high-skill know-how without long-term immigration. For companies facing tight project deadlines in Brazil, the new flexibility is a timely win.
