Open Microempresa in Brazil while waiting for Permanent Visa

Hi

I just got married here in Brazil and filed the paperwork with the Policia Federal to get my permanent visa. They said this could take anywhere from 6 months to 2 year and gave me a paper that lets me enter the country and stay here during that time.

While waiting do you know if I am already legally allowed to work and open a Microempresa here in Brazil? It looks like I need a RNE to do almost everything but I think I won't get that until they approve my visa. Is this correct? Do I really need to wait up to 2 year before I can start a business here?

Thanks so much for the help
Mathias

I can not speak to you about opening a business but maybe James can clarify that aspect for you. As far as working, you are eligible because you are married to a Brazilian spouse. Take your CPF, Marriage Certificate, Protocol, Passport and Birth Certificate to the 'Ministério do Trabalho' in your state and apply for a work book (no charge). I received mine the same day but it could take up to 30 days depending on work load in your state. A friend of mine waited 28 days in Sao Paulo, but again it isn't the same for everyone.

The MTE in my state did not require notarized copies of my documents however I did notarize mine to play it safe. You may want to do the same unless you don't mind making potentially more than one trip.

The link to the MTE is: http://portal.mte.gov.br/portal-mte/

Good luck.


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Matt V. - Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
Visit my Personal Blog - brazilbs.blogspot.com

Thanks so much!!! I am really looking to open a Microempresa so looking forward to hear from James. Your information is a great start. The MTE might know more as well so I will contact them. Really opening a business should be easier than getting employment as I will be providing employment for a brazilian citizen

Thanks again

I know a lot of expats end up opening their own businesses whether they be off the books or on the books - consulting, etc. I myself work out of my house for a company in the United States - and best of all I am paid in the US Dollars with no cost of living 'decrease.'

I am told opening a business here is extremely painful and a lot of foreign investors avoid Brazil because of it. I actually watched a TV show about it last night. It made for good entertainment.


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Matt V. - Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
Visit my Personal Blog - brazilbs.blogspot.com

Matt,

I sure hope you had your box of Kleenex handy when you were watching the program. It could qualify as a TRAGEDY.  hahaha

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  William James Woodward, Brazil & Canada Expert - Expat-blog Team

LOL yeah there sure is a lot of bureaucracy to deal with in Brazil.

James - Any more Insight on if I am allowed to open a Micro Empresa ?

Thanks

Yes, it was entertaining but nothing will ever trump the video you shared with me. It is a video I relate to, and I swear if I was born Brazilian, would star in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXHvWFALMgc

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Matt V. - Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
Visit my Personal Blog - brazilbs.blogspot.com

Hi Mathias,

If you're planning on opening a business anyway and it is one in which you plan on investing R$150 thousand (about $75 thousand USD) then you might be much better off applying for a VIPER Permanent Visa for Investors. You're going to have to go through all the same bureaucratic BS as far as opening the business is concerned, but the VIPER for Investors is by far the quickest and least bureacratic to obtain.

There are few requirements and little if any follow-up. Presently the Brazilian government has put the Ministério de Trabalho e Emprego (MTE) under a great deal of pressure to issue visas for every single application for which the paperwork is in order. You're required to submit a business plan which describes the type of venture, geographical location in which you intend to operate, number of jobs (if any) that it will create for Brazilians and estimated annual revenues. The initial VIPER will be issued for a period of 3 years as 'provisional' and the only requirements to renew as 'permanent' at that time are that you prove that the business is still in operation and that the initial investment has not been repatriated. You apply for this visa directly through the MTE and not the Policia Federal like with most other types of visas. It is processed much faster and they will give you all the information you need in order to sort your way through the headaches of starting up a business.

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  William James Woodward, Brazil & Canada Expert - Expat-blog Team

There is something more you can do before getting RNE :)

Please enlighten us!

Thanks James. Unfortunately Viper won't work as I really just want to hire a second employee for my Brazilian wives business under the tax benefits of a Microempresa Individual. It looks like to do so I will need a CIE and RNE. Is there any way of getting either of that before the permanency process is completed?

No, both documents are only issued upon being granted the VIPER Permantent Visa. The porcess in when done in Brazil can take up to 2 years or more. I've been going through it for 4.

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  William James Woodward, Brazil & Canada Expert - Expat-blog Team