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© 2016 Dwellworks
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Discovering Brazil
Registrations
To legally become a Brazilian employee, an expat must apply for a work visa through the
Brazilian Ministry of Labor, and obtain all necessary Brazilian documents.
Approved visa stamped by a Brazilian embassy or consulate at the home country
Federal Police stamp on the passport (upon arrival in Brazil)
RNE (
Registro National De Estrangeiro
, or identity card for non-nationals) protocol
and number
CPF (
Cadastro de Pessoa Físcia
or income tax card) protocol and number
CTPS (
Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social
or work booklet) issued
Note:
Registration at payroll has to be retroactive to arrival date, even if the date was on a
weekend or holiday.
Driver’s License
Driving in Brazil requires special procedures pertaining to a driver’s license. Depending on
the type of visa, an international driver’s license is only valid for 180 days after arrival (the
date stamped on your passport visa is used to determine the 180 days). After the first six
months, an international resident can apply for a Brazilian driver’s license at their local
DETRAN office.
In Brazil, a driver’s license is called a
Carteira Nacional de Habilitação
(CNH), A Brazilian
driver’s license is awarded to residents living in Brazil legally and who pass the four tests to
receive a driver’s license.
You are required to present the following:
An original RNE card, or its protocol, and a copy of your foreign identity card
An original and copy of your taxpayer’s card (CPF)
An original and copy of proof of address for the previous three months (can be utility
bills or bank statements)
Your original driver’s license or temporary license
These items must all be presented at your local DETRAN office. Staff at the DETRAN office
will determine if you must take the medical and psychological tests required by Brazilians on
a case by case basis. In each DETRAN office, there is a special unit to help expats with this
process.
Helpful Hint:
In Brazil, driver’s licenses are offered without the need for driving
lessons and tests to expats coming from countries that are members of the
Vienna Convention, and countries that Brazil has international reciprocity
agreements with. Medical exams are mandatory to all expats. Be sure to check
with your Dwellworks Consultant for more specifics.