Working in Brazil

by Susan Musich

Having just returned from speaking at a conference in Sao Paolo, Brazil, I thought I’d share with you some of the opportunities and challenges of working in Brazil.

With a population close to 200 million, you can imagine the challenge of so many people trying to find a job. The Brazilian government has strict laws to protect jobs for its citizens, and companies need to prove how an expatriate would be better qualified than a Brazilian for a certain job. This is a great challenge for many companies since there are so many highly-skilled Brazilians available for employment.

Career Options

The best way for expats to find employment in the country is through a multinational company. Such companies often offer attractive expat benefits, including housing, health insurance, car or transportation allowance, and educational support for children.

However, if you are the accompanying spouse/partner, chances are slim that you can land a job before entering the country. Many spouses/partners end up as English language tutors, or even translators if they are fluent in Portuguese. Salaries tend to be significantly lower as a teacher, and pay is usually by the hour. Setting up a small business is an option, but the bureaucratic procedures may deter your efforts.

Different Cities—Different Opportunities

Sao Paolo—a city of 10 million inhabitants—has a plethora of multinational companies and English teaching services while many expats in Rio de Janeiro may want to focus their job search on IT-related careers (if you have the skills) or, alternatively, consider working with a nonprofit/nongovernmental organization (NGO).  In Brasilia, opportunities for spouses/partners are with embassies and offices of international organizations, such as The World Bank. Some opportunities may also exist with the Brasilia International School or teaching English.

The greatest challenge most expats face is the work permit. Many organizations are hesitant to offer a work permit to an expat due to the strict laws of protecting the jobs for the nationals. However, if you want further information on the process, you can review the official website of Brazil’s Labor and Employment ministry at www.mte.gov.br. It has comprehensive information about all aspects of employment in Brazil. Expats can find information at the “international” section at http://www.mte.gov.br/trab_estrang_ing/default.asp. This section is in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. You can also find information on the work permit and visa process at Fragomen’s website at http://pubweb.fdbl.com/ihp8/global/media85.nsf/public-country-briefs/brazil?opendocument#top.  Fragomen is an international law firm that focuses on immigration.

If you have ever worked in Brazil, what recommendations or strategies can you offer spouses/partners or students seeking employment in the country? Leave your comments here.