Brazil: Visitor Status Expanded to Include Certain Technical Activities

The situation

Effective October 8, 2025, Brazil has expanded the range of activities permitted under visitor status. Foreign nationals may now enter the country to perform short-term technical services and technology transfer activities without obtaining a temporary work visa, which was previously required.

 A closer look

• Expanded scope of business activities. The amendment broadens the definition of “business activities” to explicitly include technical assistance and technology transfer services under agreements between foreign and Brazilian entities, which were not previously covered.
• Duration rules. Under the new framework, eligible visitors may engage in technical or technology transfer activities for a maximum of up to 90 days, with the possibility of an additional 90-day extension, allowing for a total of 180 days within a 365-day period. However, the length of stay, eligibility for extension, and total permitted duration vary depending on the traveler’s nationality.

Impact

• Greater flexibility for short-term assignments. The revised framework enables companies to deploy foreign professionals for short-term technical projects without requiring a temporary work visa (which can take between two and four months to obtain), thereby significantly reducing administrative burdens and lead times. This flexibility enables faster mobilization of specialists to support operational or project needs.
• Nationality-based variations. Despite this expanded flexibility, eligibility and permitted stay durations vary by nationality and specific circumstances. Each case should be evaluated individually to ensure compliance with applicable entry and stay requirements.
• Increased vigilance of in-country stay needed. Entry as a visitor – whether for tourism, business, or other legally permitted work activities, and whether under a visa or visa exemption – is calculated based on the actual number of days of physical presence in the country, excluding time spent abroad. As a result, foreign nationals and employers should carefully monitor travel dates to ensure compliance and prevent overstays.
• Implementation and interpretation challenges. During the initial implementation period, consular and immigration authorities may interpret the new provisions differently. For nationalities requiring a visitor visa prior to travel (visa nationals), the specific application procedures and documentation for technical or technology transfer activities have not yet been fully defined, which may result in inconsistent practices.
• Limits to visitor status flexibility. Projects or assignments that exceed the allowable period or involve recurrent or long-term assignments will still require a Temporary Technical or Technology Transfer Visa (as applicable). Additionally, some organizations may opt to continue using work visas for risk management purposes.
• Recommendations for employers. Employers should confirm each traveler’s eligibility based on nationality, activities, and duration of stay. A detailed invitation letter outlining the scope of work can help facilitate visa classification and entry into Brazil.

Background

• Regulatory modernization. This change stems from a new decree aimed at creating a Migration Policy and modernizing the framework for migration to Brazil.
• Previous framework. Previously, visitor status permitted only limited business engagements, such as meetings and negotiations. Most technical or technology-related activities, even of short duration, previously required a temporary work visa.
• Policy shifts and broader goals. The reform marks a strategic shift toward easier access and flexibility for skilled professionals. By authorizing certain technical activities under visitor status, the Brazilian government aims to simplify procedures, reduce administrative barriers, and strengthen Brazil’s appeal as a destination for international collaboration and investment.

Looking ahead

As this amendment takes effect, interpretation and enforcement may evolve across consulates and border authorities. An initial adjustment period is expected during which procedural inconsistencies may occur.

Employers and foreign nationals are encouraged to monitor official updates as implementation develops.

Fragomen Brazil can assist in determining the most suitable visa type for each case and by providing guidance on requirements for handling the visa application, preparing support letters, tracking the period of stay with the Federal Police, and more.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]. Fragomen in Brazil is Fragomen Brasil Serviços de Imigração Ltda., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in Brazil.