Brazil
Job market
What are my chances of getting a job?
Brazil is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Foreign investment has lead to an increase in the hire
of foreign workers, which according to Forbes, rose by 30% in 2010.
Oil and gas companies are particularly big recruiters and in other sectors the acquisition of new equipment and
technology from abroad means professionals with the relevant specialised experience are in demand. Prospects for
graduates without experience are more limited though and it is advisable to seek an employment posting in Brazil
by joining an international company with offices there.
• Typical problems encountered: there are some graduate opportunities available but, with more Brazilians
entering higher education, competition for these roles is growing. It can also be difficult to obtain a
work permit (see visa and immigration).
• How to improve your chances: gain some work experience, particularly in the growth sectors. Proficiency
in IT and at least some Portuguese will be an asset.
• Language requirements: English is increasingly being used as the language of business and is also taught in
most schools and universities. Portuguese is the only language of daily life. There are differences in
vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. See
the Embassy of Brazil in London for details of accredited language courses in both the UK and Brazil.
Where can I work?
• Major industries: Brazil has well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors. It is
the world's largest producer of sugar cane and coffee, and a net exporter of cocoa, soya beans, orange
juice and tobacco. It is also one of the world's leading producers of hydroelectric power.
• Recent growth areas: renewable energy sector, in particular biofuel; water and waste management;
automotive industry.
• Shortage occupations: engineering, environmental management and consultants and IT professionals.
• Major companies: Petrobas, Itaúsa-Investimentos Itaú, Banco Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, Vale, BNP
Parabas, Bacardi-Martini, Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline, Microsoft.
• Search for more companies: See Yellow Pages Brazil and BrazilBiz .
• Major cities: Brasilia (capital), São Paulo (largest), Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Fortaleza.
What’s it like working in Brazil?
• Average working hours: the maximum working week in Brazil is 44 hours, not exceeding eight hours per
day. Most business is conducted between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Employees are entitled to a weekly
rest of at least 24 hours, which is usually taken on a Sunday.
• Holidays: all employees are entitled to up to 30 days' holiday after a full year of work with the same
employer.
• Average graduate starting salary: graduate starting salaries can vary greatly according to the industry and
area, but the minimum monthly wage in Brazil is R$545 (February 2010).
• Tax rates: income tax, or impost de renda, is a progressive tax starting at 7.5% with the top level at 27.5%
(May 2011). See Worldwide Tax for an overview of the tax system and administration in Brazil.
• Working practices and customs: face-to-face meetings are preferred over written communication.
Brazilians negotiate with people not companies. When it comes to business agreements, Brazilians
insist on drawing up detailed legal contracts. Banks open Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm, shopping
centres in the major cities open Monday to Saturday, 10am-10pm. Smart business attire is preferred.
Applying for jobs
How do I apply for a job?
Many Brazilians will apply directly to employers by submitting a CV and cover letter or by completing an
application form.
Find out more about job applications and CVs and covering letters.
What kind of CV do I need?
If you are applying for a job by CV and covering letter, your CV should be no more than two A4 pages and your
covering letter no more than one. The layout of the CV should be as follows: contact information; personal
information; education; work experience; and referee details. It is customary to include a career objective at the
top of the CV under the personal information heading.
In most cases your CV should be written in Portuguese. See Going Global for more CV and application tips.
What will the interview process be like?
Interview preparation is generally the same as in the UK. The interview format will vary depending on the role
that you are applying for and the type of organisation. Interviews may be quite long in duration, sometimes as long
as two hours. Impromptu interviews are quite common.
In the smaller cities, business is conducted only in Portuguese and the interview process is generally centralised
and quite formal. In the larger cities, such as Brasilia, life is much more cosmopolitan. Many Brazilians are
multilingual.
Will my UK qualifications be recognised?
UK qualifications are recognised at most institutions around the world but it is important to check with the
university to which you wish to apply.
Do I still need to pay UK tax and National Insurance?
If you are planning to live and work in Brazil, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM
Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Vacancy sources
Job websites
• Banco nacional de empregos - in Portuguese.
• Bumeran - in Portuguese.
• ClickJobs - in Portuguese.
• Empregos.com.br - in Portuguese. Includes job and networking opportunities, CV and application
guidance and a section highlighting companies looking to recruit new graduates.
• Guia de empregos - in Portuguese.
• Jobs Abroad - in English.
• Latin Trade - in English.
• National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) - in Spanish and English.
Academic research jobs.
• Saludos - in English.
• Yahoo Empregos Brasil - in Portuguese.
Recruitment agencies
• BrazilBiz
• Listao.com.br - search facility for recruitment agencies.
Newspapers
• A Tribuna - in Portuguese.
• Diario Do Grande ABC - in Portuguese.
• Gazeta Online
• JB Online
• Jornal da Tarde
• Kidon Media-Link
Other sources
Job fairs and career events are often free of charge and provide the opportunity to meet potential employers and
ask questions about relocation, salaries and benefits in a less formal environment.
Hidden vacancies
As in many other countries, there is a hidden job market in Brazil where vacancies get filled without even being
advertised. To try and find these hidden jobs you need to make speculative applications to employers that you are
interested in working for, as well as making contacts through networking.
Work experience
Work placements and internships
There are quite a number of internship programmes but getting a placement is a competitive process and can be
difficult. You are normally expected to be between 18 and 28 and studying at a UK university. Examples of these
programmes include:
• Global Choices - internships.
• Intern Abroad
Exchange programmes
IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) can assist with
work placements for young scientists, engineers and architects.
Teaching schemes
• British Council Teacher Recruitment
• Berlitz Careers Service
• Bridge TEFL
• Global Choices
• i-to-i
• TEFL Job Placement
Volunteering
There are many volunteering opportunities available, ranging from conservation to teaching. Numerous
organisations offer work-travel experience and some also offer help and advice relating to visas, flight bookings
and accommodation. The majority offer 24-hour support should you encounter difficulties or problems.
Organisations usually charge a fee. The selection below shows the range of opportunities available.
• Cross Cultural Solutions - offers volunteering experiences of between 1 and 12 weeks. Projects include
caring for children with disabilities, working at the local institute for the blind, providing help at nearby
orphanages and assisting in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.
• Lattitude Global Volunteering - offers volunteering opportunities involving teaching or looking after
socially and economically disadvantaged children and young people. There are also environmental and
research opportunities.
• Step Teams - offers work on a basic building project alongside a Latin American church community.
Projects last from three weeks to six months.
• Visit the WorldWide Volunteering (WWV) website for details of other voluntary opportunities in Brazil.
Casual work
It is difficult to get casual work, such as restaurant/bar work or tour guiding. This is because if you enter Brazil as
a tourist you cannot work. See visa and immigration for more details or contact the Embassy of Brazil in London
for guidance and advice. Language is also an issue and this kind of work may be difficult without good
Portuguese.
Short-term opportunities
It can be difficult to get short-term work opportunities in Brazil due to the complex nature of obtaining a work
permit.
Gap year opportunities
Latin America is becoming an increasingly popular destination for undergraduates and graduates looking for a
combined work and travel experience, either for a gap year or short-term projects. There are many gap year
companies offering such opportunities, some of which are summarised on the Year Out Group website.
Postgraduate study
How does the higher education system work?
Higher education in Brazil is provided by federal, state, municipal and private institutions, as well as other higher
education institutions such as foundations, federations and independent establishments. Undergraduate
programmes usually last four to six years and graduate programmes last from two to six years, depending on the
level of research.
Some government initiatives exist to help expand state university places, such as the scholarship programme
PROUNI (Programa Universidade para Todos) , implemented to encourage students to continue their education.
What courses are available?
• First stage: Bacharelado (Bachelors degree), Licenciatura. The Bacharelado is usually obtained after four to
six years of study, depending on the institution and the field of study. The Licenciatura is generally
awarded after four years' study to students who wish to become school teachers.
• Second stage: Mestrado (Masters degree). This is the first stage of postgraduate study, awarded upon
completion of a minimum of one year's study following the Bacharelado or Licenciatura to students
who have followed a certain number of courses, passed examinations and submitted a thesis.
• Third stage: Doutorado (Doctorate). The highest degree. The Doutorado normally requires three to four
years' further study.
Where can I study?
Visit the following websites for details of universities and courses in Brazil:
• Universities Worldwide - links to universities in Brazil.
• CRUB: Conselho de retoires das universidades Brasileiras - Brazilian Universities - contains
comprehensive information about each institution and the availability of postgraduate courses.
• Times Higher Education University Rankings - links to universities in Brazil.
• Top Universities - provides information on global university ranking, including Brazil.
Applying for postgraduate study
The entrance requirements vary depending on the university, but the following can be used as a guide:
Foreign students must hold a secondary school-leaving certificate that is recognised by the Brazilian Ministry of
Education and pass an examination (Concurso Vestibular) comprising papers in Portuguese language and
Brazilian history and geography.
Students from Latin American and African countries that have signed cultural agreements with Brazil are
exempted from this examination and from paying tuition fees.
Deadlines for applications for postgraduate study vary depending on the university. Check with admissions
departments of individual institutions.
Applications for the majority of postgraduate courses can be made online via individual university websites or by
emailing the department contact via the graduate/postgraduate section of individual university websites. The
application usually requires a personal statement and at least one academic reference. Most Brazilian university
websites are written in Portuguese only.
Deadlines for applications for postgraduate study vary depending on the university. Check with admissions
departments of individual institutions.
Fees and scholarships
Costs will vary depending on the university and the course that you wish to apply for. Contact each university
directly for specific details.
Foreign students are entitled to all the facilities available to Brazilian students, including scholarships, loans (for
accommodation, transport, meals, books and documentation) and assistance with the payment of study fees.
For a detailed list of useful links relating to courses, research funding and institutions in Brazil, see the Centre for
Brazilian Studies at the University of Oxford .
Are there any exchange programmes?
There is the possibility of exchange programmes to Brazil through some UK universities at postgraduate level that
have specialist Latin America studies centres. Examples include:
• Centre of Latin American Studies, University of Cambridge;
• Centre for Latin American Studies, University of Essex;
• Institute for the Study of the Americas, University of London;
• Centre for Latin American Cultural Studies, University of Manchester.
Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?
The UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) has information on the
comparison of Brazil and UK qualifications and higher education structures. Your university careers service may
have access to the login service on their website to access information on your behalf. If you have a specific job
goal/employer/sector in mind, check via professional bodies or human resource departments of employers before
committing to postgraduate study in Brazil.
Visa and immigration
Do I need a visa and/or work permit?
British nationals are normally admitted to Brazil without a visa as tourists or business visitors for an initial
maximum stay of 90 days. If you overstay the period you risk fines or deportation. If you wish to stay for longer,
you should apply to the federal police for an extension before your initial 90-day period expires. You cannot
undertake any paid work on a tourist visa.
For further details you should visit the Embassy of Brazil in London and the Consulate-General of Brazil in
London .
How do I apply for a visa and/or work permit?
The temporary V general/permanent work visa must be obtained by a Brazilian employer on behalf of a
prospective employee. This is done by registering an employee/employer contract with the Ministry of Labour and
Employment in Brazil . If approval is given, the application is forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
Brazil who will issue a visa. It takes two months to process the permit and it is valid for two years.
A student visa application must be made through the Brazilian Consulate General in London. The Brazilian
Consulate General in London only issues visas through the integrated consular system. Applicants can fill in an
electronic form available at Sistema de Controle e Emissão de Documentos de Viagem (SCEDV).
If you are not a UK national, contact the Brazilian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about
how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to Embassy of Brazil in London .
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not
living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering
working in Brazil.
How do I apply for permanent residency?
Applications for permanent residency must be made through the Consulate-General of Brazil in London . If you
are not a UK national, apply through the Brazilian Consulate General or Brazilian embassy of your home country.
Help and advice abroad
Public employment services
There is no specific public employment service in Brazil, although in Bahia they have Serviço de Atendimento ao
Cidadão (citizens advice centres), which offer help with finding jobs. Outside of Bahia, trade unions and private
agencies are the main sources of vacancy information.
Brazilians are fairly proactive and competitive in their job-hunting strategies and usually seek employment by
contacting employers directly or by searching classified adverts, websites, magazines, job fairs and newspapers.
See vacancy sources for further information.
Higher education careers support
There are no centralised support services for students and graduates in Brazil. Most Brazilian universities, both
public and private, do have careers services aiming to help their students find a place in the job market. This
service is operated by institutions independently, according to their own ethos and values. To find out what is
offered by each careers department, look on the university’s website or contact them directly.
Help in an emergency
As a UK national, you can also contact the British Embassy in Brazil . If you are studying in Brazil through your
UK university, make contact with both universities to let them know of your situation and find out how they may
be able to help you.
Other emergency contact numbers in Brazil are:
• 190 - police
• 192 - medical
• 193 - fire
Country overview
Geography
• Full country name: Federative Republic of Brazil.
• Population: 203.5 million.
• Border countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname,
Uruguay and Venezuela.
• Climate: mainly tropical, with variations from seasonal drought in the north east and seasonal rainfall in
central regions. The south is characterised by a temperate climate.
• Terrain: varied, includes hills, mountains, plains and highlands. The southern part of the country is a
rugged terrain in comparison to the north. Brazil consists of a dense complex of rivers, including the
Amazon.
• Natural hazards: Droughts occur in the north east and occasional floods in the south.
Living in Brazil
• Cost of living: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are the most expensive cities to live in Brazil. Millions of
Brazilians live on the minimum salary. However, in comparison to the UK it is cheaper to live in terms
of day-to-day life. The majority of rented accommodation in Brazil is completely unfurnished so
budgeting for furniture is necessary.
• Utilities: electricity, gas, water, garbage averages at $121.55 per month. See Numbeo for more
information.
• Internet domain: .br
• Health: water should not be consumed unless sterilised first. Dengue fever is common. There is no vaccine
for dengue fever, so you should use mosquito repellent regularly. Fever vaccination is recommended at
least ten days before visiting some parts of Brazil. Air pollution, especially in São Paulo, may aggravate
chest complaints. Rabies is present. Private health insurance is strongly recommended as there is no
reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
• Laws and customs: penalties for drug trafficking can be severe. The country is tolerant towards gay
travellers. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are seen as destinations for gay travellers, but you should be
aware of local sensitivities.
Economy and finance
• Currency: the real.
• Type of economy: capitalist.
• Health of economy: Brazil is an emerging economy which is recovering well from the global economic
downturn.
• Unemployment rate: 7% (2010).
• Main exports: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, automobiles.
Culture
• People: the population in Brazil is diverse with a history of immigrants from countries such as Portugal,
Spain, Syria and Japan. Brazilians of mainly European descent account for more than half the
population, although people of mixed ethnic backgrounds form an increasingly larger segment.
• Major religion: Roman Catholicism (73.6%).
• History: see BBC Timeline: Brazil
• Local etiquette: physical contact is more prevalent in everyday life than is the norm in the UK. Males tend
to greet other males with a firm handshake and grip of the shoulder or hug. Females and males greet
other females with a kiss on the cheek. UK visitors should not be intimidated by this etiquette, as it is a
sign of hospitality.
• Language: the principal language in Brazil is Portuguese, although Spanish, French and English are also
spoken. A large number of minority indigenous languages are also spoken, mainly by Amerindians.
Politics
• Type of government: federal republic government. The República Federativa do Brasil (Brazil’s official
title) is made up of 26 administrative states.
• Major political parties: Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB); Brazilian Labor Party (PTB);
Brazilian Renewal Labor Party (PRTB); Brazilian Republican Party (PRB).
Travel advice
If you are travelling to Brazil, the British Embassy recommends that you take out comprehensive medical and
travel insurance.
Some vaccinations are required when visiting Brazil. Check the British Embassy in Brazil pages on health in
Brazil for further details.
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date:
June 2011
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