In an effort to entice well-paid individuals to contribute to the country’s economy, the Brazilian government has altered immigration regulations to issue temporary visas to professionals working remotely.
The provisions, which were announced in January 2022, provide a one-year visa that can be renewed for another year. The new rules, according to José Vicente Santini, justice secretary and head of the National Immigration Council, are expected to increase local tourism and respond to worldwide trends.
“Digital nomads’ salaries come from external sources, and the resources these immigrants bring can boost the national economy. This is an important step for Brazil to promote one of the world’s most modern working models.”José Vicente Santini, justice secretary and head, National Immigration Council
Professionals can apply for a digital nomad visa at any Brazilian consulate by submitting proof of their remote worker status, as well as documentation such as a contract with an international organization, proof of health insurance, and proof of availability of sustenance in Brazil.
The surge in Brazilian remote workers working for international employers, on the other hand, has been a source of concern for the industry. The Federation of Brazilian Information Technology Companies (Assespro) released a manifesto calling for government actions to prevent a “labor blackout” of talented tech workers.
According to the trade association, rising global demand for IT skills and the rise of remote working have resulted in many experienced workers being employed by corporations overseas without having to move, a phenomenon known as “virtual brain drain.”
According to the best available estimates, Brazil’s trained professional shortfall will reach 450,000 in three years. The lack of strategies and policies to foster innovation and skills creation by the central government has been discussed since 2018, according to the association. Despite the fact that the scenario remains identical in terms of strategy, implementation has become increasingly unviable as a result of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation’s recent budget cuts.
Assespro encouraged government authorities to urgently unite to create public policies to avert this disastrous situation, citing the actual danger that Brazil could lose a substantial number of its technological expertise to companies overseas. It went on to say that the issue of skills shortages is the greatest obstacle the industry has encountered in its 45-year history.
“Innovation processes arise from the existence of problems. Given the size of this problem, however, the collective action of all the actors involved is essential”, the manifesto noted.
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