Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is one must see on a Brazil working holiday

 

Brazil is a favoured country destination for visitors to South America. There’s Christ the Redeemer to visit, Sugarloaf Mountain, sunbathing on Inpanema Beach, attending a soccer match, exploring the Amazon Jungle and dancing in the streets at the Rio Carnival. And now, you are considering moving abroad to live and work in Brazil on an extended Brazil holiday on a Brazil working holiday visa. In this post I will explain how to make a working holiday in Brazil (‘visto de trabalho e ferias’ in Portuguese) possible.

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Brazil Visas

 

Like other countries there are a variety of visas for people to visit Brazil. They include, but are not limited to:

• Visitor Visa for Brazil holiday stays of up to 90 days.
• Student Visa which allows a few hours work per week to help support yourself while you study.
• Work Permit – if you are lucky enough to find a sponsored job such as Teaching English in an English Language School.
• Working Holiday Visa which is officially known as the VITEM VI and is a Temporary Work Holiday Visa. And this post is about this visa.

 

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

 

In short, a working holiday visa allows the holder to live in another country primarily to holiday, but also allows the holder to get work to make money to support themselves. And Brazil has a reciprocal working holiday visa with France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. This visa allows citizens from these countries who are 18-30 years of age inclusive a stay in Brazil of up to 12 months. During this time participants can undertake work to help fund their travels.

 

How to Get a Brazil Working Holiday Visa

 

To get a Brazil Working Holiday Visa you firstly must meet the criteria which is:

• being aged between 18-30 years old (inclusive) at the time of application.
• hold an onward travel ticket from Brazil or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
• have enough savings to support yourself initially during your stay in Brazil (about AUD5,000).
• hold comprehensive travel/health insurance.
• be in good health

You cannot apply for this visa if you:

• will be accompanied by dependent children.
• have already participated in a working holiday program in Brazil.
• Have criminal convictions.

 

The Application Process

 

When applying for a Brazil working holiday visa visit the website of your nearest Brazilian Consulate and fill out the online visa application form. Follow the instructions of what documents are needed such as bank statement to prove you have enough money, copy of birth certificate, photos, etc. And then apply. A visa fee applies so check this amount when applying for the visa.

It can take a few weeks for your application to be processed. If successful, the visa will be valid for 12 months from the date the embassy issues your visa. And this may not be the date of your arrival, you should plan to arrive as close to the issue date as possible to ensure you get to enjoy a full year (or close to) in Brazil as possible. With the visa issued you can being living and working in Brazil.

 

Prepare for your working holiday in Brazil

 

So you got your visa and have a definite ‘leave date’ now you need to prepare yourself for living and working in Brazil.

• Most people arrive by plane so get yourself an airfare first. Check out Skyscanner for deals.
• Next book your accommodation. I suggest you book somewhere for 2 weeks. I say this because after you arrive, recover from jet lag, do some sightseeing and get your bearings, 1 week is usually up. The second week gives you a better chance to sort out things you need to do on arrival like get a tax number, a job and a place to live. To check availability and pricing my go to accommodation sites are HostelWorld for a bed in a hostel and Booking.com for everything else – hotel room, resort, etc).
• Finalise things at home. Cancel services like gas, electricity, etc.
• Pack. Packing for a working holiday is different to packing for a two week beach holiday so read this first: What to Pack For A Working Holiday
• Don’t forget travel insurance. I can recommend WorldNomads and SafetyWing but if you don’t buy insurance with one of them, ensure you buy travel insurance.

 

How to get to Brazil?

 

It will depend on where you are coming from as to how you get to Brazil. Many fly into one of the international airports located in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo or Brasilia. If this is how you will be arriving you will want an airfare. For a great deal on an airfare compare and choose one at Skyscanner.

You could also enter Brazil by coach as there are many coach services from other South American countries that link to and within Brazil. The excellent coach network, particularly its long-distance buses are an economical way to travel.

 

Things to do when you arrive in Brazil (before you can work)

 

After your arrival in Brazil you will need to do a couple of things.

• If you are planning to stay over 90 days, which you will be on your Brazil working holiday visa, then you will need to register at your nearest Federal Police (Policia Federal) office for your foreigner’s ID. Formerly known as the RNE card, the RNM (National Migrant Registration) card is the registration of your presence in Brazil with the Federal Police. This document is essential to start other procedures, such as working and opening a bank account in Brazil.
• Next, you need to get a work card, also known as CTPS Estrangeiro (Carteira de Trabalho e Previdencia Social). Get this from the Ministry of Labour by taking your documents, RNM card and a photo.
• purchase a cell phone or Brazilian sim card.
• Find accommodation

 

Living in Brazil – Types of accommodation in Brazil

 

Before you begin the search for a job you might want to find somewhere to live. There are many large cities to choose from but many travellers set up in Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia (the capital) or another major centre. No matter which city or area you choose you will need short-term accommodation arranged for your arrival. I suggest you book short-term accommodation for one week but preferably two. I suggest two as by the time you have arrived, maybe adjusted your body clock to the local time, done some sightseeing and got sorted the things you need to sort when you arrive, the two weeks will probably be up. And you don’t want the added pressure of finding more short-term accommodation when you are trying to find a job, long-term accommodation and doing other things.

If you are happy for your initial stay to be in a hostel then check out HostelWorld as there are many cheap options available. If you want a budget hotel room or small apartment then visit Booking.com. Once you know where you want to be you will need to find longer-term accommodation. Have a look at vivastreet.com.br for temporary and long-term accommodation. Some travellers like to housesit as this provides free accommodation for looking after the house and pets. While others find an apartment or a room in a share house.

 

Travel Jobs in Brazil

 

About 80% of Brazilians live in the major Brazilian cities. Therefore, setting yourself up in a city such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or the capital Brasilia may yield the most work opportunities. Unless you speak fluent Portuguese, the local language, the jobs available to you are limited. Here is a rundown on what types of jobs many travellers find in Brazil.

 

Teach English in Brazil

 

The most common job for native English speakers is to teach English either giving private lessons or in a school. You don’t necessarily need a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification either though being qualified should see you with a better paying position. In fact, if you don’t qualify for a working holiday visa often Brazilian Language Schools will organise to sponsor you to work. To find an English Teaching job you can contact the schools directly. Or do an internet search of teaching English jobs in Brazil. Further information on Teaching English in Brazil and other South American countries can be found in our Teach English ebook. Also check out Dave’s ESL cafe.

 

Work and Ski Brazil

 

What? Brazil has snow! Travellers have found work in the ski resorts – yes, there are ski resorts. The ski resort of Ski Mountain Park – Sao Roque is the best known. The ski season in Brazil is during the winter months of June, July and August. But it depends on the white stuff how long jobs might be available for. There is also an indoor ski centre located in Gramado, in Brazil’s Serra Gaucha region. Types of ski work available is in hospitality in the bars and cafes and on the slopes. If you’re not fluent in Portuguese, you may be limited to jobs where you don’t have much interaction with holiday makers to the slopes.

 

Work in the Backpacker Hostel

 

You might find work in the hostel you are staying in. Jobs can be at reception welcoming and checking in and out guests, housekeeping and/or cleaning or if the hostel has a bar or cafe they might need a bar tender or barista. It will depend on the services the hostel has. Check out the booking engine HostelWorld to see what hostels are around in the area you want to stay and what services they offer. They usually list all the services they provide so you will be able to ascertain potential jobs. Once you have chosen a hostel you would like to work in contact them before you arrive or if you are already there, ask at reception.

 

Digital Nomad

 

Digital Nomads, if you don’t already know are basically travellers who make their money on-line. Brazil is a great place to do this. You only need your tech equipment and have access to good wi-fi in a co-working space or in your accommodation and away you go. Digital Nomads undertake different jobs on-line such as bookkeeping, social media management, graphic design, travel blogging (or blogging on other subjects) and doing paid on-line surveys.

 

Other types of work for travellers in Brazil

 

You might need to be innovative when it comes to work. People busk, read my blog on Busking and / or Street Performing, make and sell things at markets, become a local English speaking tour guide or becoming a WWOOFer. WWOOF stands for Willing Workers on Organic Farms. It is an exchange program where you exchange working for accommodation, food and an insight in to your hosts way of life in Brazil – a great way to gain a different Brazilian cultural experience on your working holiday in Brazil.

 

How to find work in Brazil

 

Work can be found in a variety of ways. Searching the Internet using popular job sites such as Catho www.catho.com.br. Or going down the old fashioned way. Walking in to a place armed with your CV and asking if work is available.

 

What to See, Do and Visit in Brazil

 

The best part of any working holiday is the holidaying part! You will have it in your mind what you might want to see, do and visit while in Brazil. As the largest country in South America it ranges from dense, exotic rainforest to dynamic cities to glorious beaches. There is Foz do Iguaçu, one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil’s most iconic monuments. Sugarloaf Mountain, a natural wonder surrounded by the sea. The Amazon Rainforest one of the most ecologically complex regions in the world. Discover its extraordinary natural wonders of dense forest with thousands of species of animals. Plus, you can use Brazil as your base to explore other Central and South American countries for a holiday or on another working holiday visa.

 

Are You Ready to Live and Work in Brazil?

 

Living, working and playing in Brazil is a unique opportunity that most people don’t get the chance to experience, but you have chosen to. There will be challenges and cultural differences but I hope, after reading this guide, that your next port of call is your nearest Brazilian Consulate to get the ball rolling. Enjoy your working holiday in Brazil.