Brazil: New Immigration Pathway for Graduates of Brazilian Educational Institutions Forthcoming

• Eligibility. The residence permit will be available to foreign nationals who are in Brazil and who have completed an undergraduate or graduate program and received a degree from a Brazilian institution accredited by the Brazilian Ministry of Education. While hybrid educational courses will be acceptable, applicants must have completed most of their courses in person at the accredited Brazilian institution. 
• Local employment requirement. While company sponsorship will not be strictly required (applicants may apply for the permit on their own), applicants must have an employment contract with a Brazilian entity and the intended position must be related to the applicant’s degree/academic curriculum.
• Validity period. The residence permit may be granted for an initial two years. Foreign nationals may then apply to the Ministry of Justice for a renewal for an indefinite period (within 90 days before their status expires) if they can provide proof of a clean criminal record and an employment or services contract with a Brazilian company. 

This new residence option offers graduates with a job offer an option to stay and work in Brazil immediately after graduation, whereas other typical employment visas generally require a combination of educational background and several years of work experience. 

The initiative likely aims to provide foreign students in Brazil more flexibility to find employment and stay in Brazil, to encourage immigration to help address low migration levels and mitigate labor shortages across many sectors in Brazil. 

During the initial implementation period, foreign nationals should expect delays with application processing, and discretionary application of requirements. Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional for case-specific advice.

Other reforms may be forthcoming as Brazil seeks to attract immigrants. For example, the Ministry of Justice continues to study a proposal that would facilitate visas and residence permits for foreign nationals seeking to invest in Brazil’s green economy sectors. Fragomen will report on relevant developments.