Brazil Updates Business Visa Rules

Key Point 

• Brazil now allows business visitors to provide technical assistance under formal agreements, but paid work remains prohibited 

Business Visa Changes  

Effective October 7, 2025, Brazil published Decree No. 12.657, which amends and supplements the country’s migration framework under Law No. 13.445/2017. The decree introduces key regulatory updates, including expanded permissions for business visitors and the formal establishment of Brazil’s National Policy on Migration, Refuge, and Statelessness. 

Key Policy Update 

• Expanded Scope of Visitor Visa Activities: The decree revises Article 29 (§3) of Decree No. 9.199/2017 to permit technical assistance and technology transfer under a visitor visa. A foreign legal entity must carry out these activities through a formal agreement—such as a contract, cooperation agreement or convention—with a Brazilian counterpart.
• This change eliminates the previous requirement for a temporary work visa for certain short-term technical engagements. 

Compliance Considerations 

• No Paid Work: Despite the expanded scope, visitor visa holders remain prohibited from engaging in remunerated activities while in Brazil. 
• Monitoring Required: Employers and foreign nationals must continue to track travel dates and stay durations to avoid overstays and ensure alignment with visa conditions. 
• Work Visa May Still Apply: Depending on the frequency and duration of the engagement, a temporary work visa may still be required for medium —or long-term assignments involving technical activities. 

Governance and Oversight 

• Inter-Ministerial Coordination: The Ministry of Justice and Public Security, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will oversee visa conditions, durations, and procedures, particularly for labor-related and technical activities. 
• Policy Implementation: The decree outlines a governance structure involving federal, state and municipal authorities, as well as civil society and international organizations, to support migrant integration and legal compliance. 

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