Mostrando postagens com marcador visa. Mostrar todas as postagens
Mostrando postagens com marcador visa. Mostrar todas as postagens

quarta-feira, 4 de setembro de 2013

How to obtain a CPF (Brazilian Taxpayer registry)




       When a foreigner decides to live or to invest in Brazil, one of the first things that he will have to do is obtaining a CPF document ("cadastro de pessoas físicas").  Every person that has a CPF registration recieves a number, which is a requirement for all kind of brazilian procedures, as for instance, to become a partner in a brazilian company, to open a bank account in Brazil etc.

With that in mind, here follows some basic information regarding CPF obtention:

    Foreigners may request the CPF through the website of the Brazilian Federal Revenue (http://www.receita.fazenda.gov.br/aplicacoes/ATCTA/CpfEstrangeiro/fcpf.asp) and then attend the nearest Brazilian embassy with all the document required for a personal interview (the interview is merely ceremonial).

       If they are already here in Brazil, they may request the CPF in post offices, or in any branch of "Banco do Brasil" or Caixa Economica Federal (both are very famous banks). Not all  agencies and post offices offer such service, so we advise you to call before atteding in person. 

       You should bringh with you (i) passport, (ii) adress, (iii) and a document bearing your mother's name. There will be a small fee (maybe 2USD).

     After that, you must go to the nearest Revenue Service office bringing the proof of paymentof the fee and request a CPF number. It should be granted on the spot. 


terça-feira, 4 de junho de 2013

Brazilian Family Reunion Visa x Permanent Visa for Retired Persons

See also:


I usually get many requests for visas for my clients: work visas, visas for foreign investors. In general, when one of my foreign clients incorporate a company in Brazil, he is also interested in making an application for a permanent visa. I recently received a visa application request that was not so common: an investor was interested in bringing one of his parents to Brazil. Look at the email I received:



“Dear Adler,
I'm living in Brazil for about five years. My wife is Brazilian and I have opened my own business here. The only problem is that I want to bring my father to live with me. He is getting too older and has difficulty living alone. How can I get a permanent visa for him?”


Thor's question is very interesting. Currently there are two ways to bring his father to Brazil with a permanent visa. The first is the so-called Family Reunion Visa. The second is the Permanent Visa for Retired Persons.

Basically, the differences between these two types of visas are the following: for the Family Reunion Visa, it is necessary to prove that his father are dependents of Thor. As for the Permanent Visa for Retired Persons, it is necessary to prove that his father has a retirement pension able to supply his basic needs in Brazil.

The proof of financial dependency is done through various ways. It is necessary to prove the Thor's father is unable to provide his own needs .This can be done, for example, by providing proof that Thor transfered to his father some money every month to help him financially.

The retirement visa, on the other hand, has a more objective criterion. Thor's father must prove that with his retirement pension he is able to transfer at least R$ 6,000 brazilian reais monthly to a bank account in Brazil.

See also:


quinta-feira, 23 de maio de 2013

May I switch jobs when under a working Visa in Brazil?



This is a conversation I had with a client about a relatively normal problem here: changing jobs while on a work visa.



Hi Adler, 


Tudo bem? 

I am looking for what is the process if a foreigner, who is currently working in Brazil on a work visa ITEM V, finds a job in a different company and wants to transfer the visa to the new company.

If you have an article about it that would be great.

And once more thanks and I appreciate your work to make business easier for foreigners in Brazil.

Abracos,

Scarlet Speedster

PS: please reply in flash speed. 


__________



Dear Mr. Speedster,



The rules regarding working visa have been recently modified. 

According to the old rules, your current employer would need to be consulted. Also,  your current visa would be cancelled, and a new one would have to be issued, meaning that you would have to pick it up at the Brazilian consulate in your home country.

But you are lucky!

If you check the article Easier rules for work visas in Brazil, you will see that the new procedure is easier and faster than the previous one. Your new employer will have to contribute with some paperwork, and evens sign a few forms, but it is doable. Above all: your visa will not be cancelled, so you will not have to leave Brazil.

I do not advise you to actually change jobs before going through the new procedures. Some people do change jobs without consideration for the rules, but that is risky, illegal and may get you expelled from the country.

If you need any further information, please get in touch. 


Regards, 


Adler


sexta-feira, 1 de fevereiro de 2013

How can a partner leave a company in Brazil - Como um sócio pode deixar uma empresa no Brasil


How can a partner leave a company in Brazil - Como um sócio pode deixar uma empresa no Brasil.

This was a question from client regarding corporation law, with bilingual answer.
Esta foi uma pergunta feita por um cliente sobre direito corporativo, com resposta bilingue.


Dear Tom and Jerry,

The legal procedure for a partner to leave the company is as it follows:
O procedimento legal para que um sócio deixe a sociedade é o seguinte:

1) The leaving partner must inform the other partner of his intent to leave the firm, at least 60 (sixty) days before the actual departure. The parties may agree, however, to accept the notice within a shorter time frame.
1) O sócio que se despede deve informar sua intenção ao outro com pelo menos 60 (sessenta) dias de antecedência.  As partes podem, contudo, acordar um prazo menor.

2) The leaving partner will be reimbursed according to its share in the company networth.
2) O sócio que se despede receberá o valor correspondente à sua cota de participação no valor da empresa

3) The final value of the company on the departure date shall be calculated according to a special financial Statement.
3) O valor da empresa na data de saída do sócio deve ser calculado em balanço especial.

4) The company administrator is, at first, entitled to hire the accountancy firm in charge of the final Financial Statement. But the leaving partner may also indicate an independent accountant, if he wishes to do so.
4) O administrador da empresa é, inicialmente, quem tem o direito de contratar o contador que fará o balanço patrimonial final. Mas o sócio que se despede pode indicar um auditor independente, caso desejar.

5) The final financial Statement shall be approved by the partners in a meeting specially called for this purpose.
5) O balanço final será aprovado pelos sócios numa reunião convocada especialmente para este propósito.

6) After that, the value due to the leaving partner shall be paid within 90 days. However, the parties may agree on a shorter or longer time frame.
6) Após a reunião, os valores devidos ao sócio que se despede deverão ser pagos em até 90 dias. Contudo, as partes podem acordar um prazo menor ou maior

OBS: Please be aware that, before the formal departure, the partner is not entitled to make business on his own, using the company premises, brand, name, etc.
OBS: É importante ressaltar que, antes da despedida formal, o sócio não pode fazer negócios independentemente da sociedade, utilizando os bens da sociedade, a marca, o nome, etc.

The Civil Code articles which are relevant have been reproduced below (in Portuguese).
Os artigos relevantes do Código Civil foram reproduzidos ao final.

Best Regards.

Atenciosamente,

Adler Martins





CÓDIGO CIVIL (EXCERTOS)

Da Sociedade Não Personificada

CAPÍTULO I
Da Sociedade em Comum


Art. 986. Enquanto não inscritos os atos constitutivos, reger-se-á a sociedade, exceto por ações em organização, pelo disposto neste Capítulo, observadas, subsidiariamente e no que com ele forem compatíveis, as normas da sociedade simples.

Art. 988. Os bens e dívidas sociais constituem patrimônio especial, do qual os sócios são titulares em comum.

CAPÍTULO II 
Da Sociedade em Conta de Participação


Art. 994. A contribuição do sócio participante constitui, com a do sócio ostensivo, patrimônio especial, objeto da conta de participação relativa aos negócios sociais.

Art. 996. Aplica-se à sociedade em conta de participação, subsidiariamente e no que com ela for compatível, o disposto para a sociedade simples, e a sua liquidação rege-se pelas normas relativas à prestação de contas, na forma da lei processual.
Parágrafo único. Havendo mais de um sócio ostensivo, as respectivas contas serão prestadas e julgadas no mesmo processo.


SUBTÍTULO II
Da Sociedade Personificada

CAPÍTULO I
Da Sociedade Simples


Art. 1.007. Salvo estipulação em contrário, o sócio participa dos lucros e das perdas, na proporção das respectivas quotas, mas aquele, cuja contribuição consiste em serviços, somente participa dos lucros na proporção da média do valor das quotas.

Seção V
Da Resolução da Sociedade em Relação a um Sócio

Art. 1.028. No caso de morte de sócio, liquidar-se-á sua quota, salvo:
I - se o contrato dispuser diferentemente;
II - se os sócios remanescentes optarem pela dissolução da sociedade;
III - se, por acordo com os herdeiros, regular-se a substituição do sócio falecido.

Art. 1.029. Além dos casos previstos na lei ou no contrato, qualquer sócio pode retirar-se da sociedade; se de prazo indeterminado, mediante notificação aos demais sócios, com antecedência mínima de sessenta dias; se de prazo determinado, provando judicialmente justa causa.
Parágrafo único. Nos trinta dias subseqüentes à notificação, podem os demais sócios optar pela dissolução da sociedade.

Art. 1.030. Ressalvado o disposto no art. 1.004 e seu parágrafo único, pode o sócio ser excluído judicialmente, mediante iniciativa da maioria dos demais sócios, por falta grave no cumprimento de suas obrigações, ou, ainda, por incapacidade superveniente.
Parágrafo único. Será de pleno direito excluído da sociedade o sócio declarado falido, ou aquele cuja quota tenha sido liquidada nos termos do parágrafo único do art. 1.026.

Art. 1.031. Nos casos em que a sociedade se resolver em relação a um sócio, o valor da sua quota, considerada pelo montante efetivamente realizado, liquidar-se-á, salvo disposição contratual em contrário, com base na situação patrimonial da sociedade, à data da resolução, verificada em balanço especialmente levantado.
§ 1o O capital social sofrerá a correspondente redução, salvo se os demais sócios suprirem o valor da quota.
§ 2o A quota liquidada será paga em dinheiro, no prazo de noventa dias, a partir da liquidação, salvo acordo, ou estipulação contratual em contrário.

Art. 1.032. A retirada, exclusão ou morte do sócio, não o exime, ou a seus herdeiros, da responsabilidade pelas obrigações sociais anteriores, até dois anos após averbada a resolução da sociedade; nem nos dois primeiros casos, pelas posteriores e em igual prazo, enquanto não se requerer a averbação.

Visa options for investors in Brazil



One of the questions I receive the most from my clients want to invest in Brazil is on the possibility of obtaining a visa for partners, directors and managers of their company.

Basically, in Brazil there are 3 visas that relate to business:


1) For investments above 600,000.00 Brazilian Reais, the company has the right to appoint one foreigner as a director. This foreigner will receive a visa automatically. Each 600,000.00 allow for one director.


2) For investments above 150,000.00 Brazilian Reais, one investor may obtain a Visa, as long as he can prove that the company will bring a relevant social impact to the area where it is located, or that the company will generate jobs for Brazilians. Again, each investor must bring at least 150,000.00 (lower investments may grant a visa if the social impact is proven to be outstanding).

The social impact is evaluated according to the business plan presented along with the visa request. The main criterion is always the creation of jobs. But the use of new technology and te empowerment of local communities are also important.

A relevant social impact would be, for instance, the installation of a factory in a very poor region. If the business plan is solid, the social impact can be easily accessed by the Brazilian government.

Some of my clients, for example, invested only 100,000.00 BRL and obtained a visa. In one specific case, the new company brought new design for wood furniture, and would employ a few workers in the production of such furniture. The business was also located in a poor region of a big city in the Northeast of Brazil.
  
3) Finally, a foreigner may obtain a work visa if a Brazilian company hires him for a permanent job. Possessing a bachelor or graduate diploma makes the granting of the visa more probable. The Brazilian company must have 2 Brazilian employees in similar functions to every foreigner it hires for that function.

Should you or your company have any problems or questions concerning visas in your business in Brazil, do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

terça-feira, 8 de janeiro de 2013

Xerox, Authenticated Copies, I need caipirinha, please.

Here is another guest post by Ms. Gringa da Silva.

It is funny, but also carries a lot of truth and street smart advice.

______________________________________________________


Hello my pretties,

How was your first week in Brazil? Did you miss me? Have you clogged a toilet yet? (You know, that little basket beside the toilet is not a hint, it is a strongly worded suggestion, sort of like those letters the UN writes to the naughty countries? So put your paper in the basket and live a happy and clog free life. Gringa has clogged toilets twice so far.. but who's counting?)

Getting over jet-lag and dealing with trying to cross the road in a major city in Brazil can be trying enough, but chances are that if you are here for business or some official reason, versus simply backpacking (we will get to teaching English as a scruffy, unwashed foreign student taking a gap-year later) you are going to have to start dealing with the various steps needed to do that official business stuff here.

All of the steps will include bureaucracy.

In Brazil, the Religion may be football, but The King is paperwork and absolutely all of it has to be done correctly, lest you are looking to hear: Falta! (we covered this word last week, my dears.. do try to keep up)

Enter, Authenticated Copies. (drum roll please)

This does not mean that you go to some random photo copier and sit on it and take that obligatory copy of your authentic and real-life derriere (your mother is so proud whenever you do that) this means that you need to find a Cartório, and deal with bored bureaucrats to whom you are not allowed to be rude. (Example of how to behave in a bureaucratic location in Brazil: http://youtu.be/2NKY_-u6AmA?t=58s)

I can hear you asking: But why would I be rude, I am a polite person! My mother taught me not to burp in public and to wash behind my ears!

Just you wait, my pretty. We are still very low on the caipirinha scale...

An Authenticated Copy, means that you will get a copy of whatever document you need copied certified as an Authentic Copy. Clear as mud, yes? Bring cash, your patience and be prepared to be annoyed and confused.

You will enter the Cartório, need to find the correct Senha from the relevant machine or person (a number that will allocate your position in the line - remembering of course that no one who works in these locations speaks English) and have to sit on 'comfy chairs' (http://youtu.be/XnS49c9KZw8?t=1m26s) and have to pay attention while you wait for the word, Próximo (next) to be called out in a low voice, indistinctly over lots of background noise.

Alternately, it is possible that your specific number will be displayed along with a noise that is about as soothing as fingernails on a blackboard on some LED panel somewhere that will point you to a specific bureaucrat to go to.. assuming of course that the bureaucrats are numbered, biensûr.

No one will be clear about what you need to do next.

It is good to remember that using cell phones is not allowed in these locations and the bureaucrat won't speak to anyone on the phone anyway, so don't bother calling for help.

Basically, you need to hand over your document(s) and you will be handed a number, which will then be called out later after which you will pick up your documents, the Authenticated Copies and will be required to pay in cash for the service.

The copies can cost a fair deal of money, especially if you have many to do, but it will vary by location. Make sure you have enough small bills and large bills to pay the fees.

These places are not reliable enough to leave your documents at while you run to get cash and they will not return either the originals or the copies until you have paid.

Tips:

If you don't know what to ask for, have a Brazilian write it down.
Bring enough cash.
Expect large lines, inefficient and/ or confusing service and short and nasty opening hours and to have your time wasted.
Exactly no one cares who you are or what you want or if you are in a hurry; they only care that you do not inconvenience them and don't bother them.
Don't be rude. It is an offence punishable by arrest without bail.
Be pragmatic. There is no escaping this procedure if it is required. Brazilians live this stuff every day. You as a foreigner are just starting to put up with it. Deal with it.

Seriously...

On the caipirinha scale, this experience only rates a 1, my dears. Well, perhaps a 1.5 in which case you might as well upgrade to a full 2. With caipirinha, you always upgrade!

Until next week, yours in the spirit of cachaça,


Ms. Gringa da Silva

All rights reserved © 2012 by Ms. Gringa da Silva (http://msgringadasilva.orgfree.com/)

quarta-feira, 2 de janeiro de 2013

Brazilian (and Chinese) Business Law Trends for 2013.

This post, as many others, has been inspired by Dan Harris' China Law Blog.  The link to the original post is also at the bottom.

Interestingly, some China trends he mentioned are the opposite of the Brazilian legal trends on the same subjects. It invites comparison:



1. China will step up even further its crackdown on foreigners in China violating its visa/immigration laws. 
1. Brazil is set to make immigration easier, specially for specialized workers. Legal changes are expected to take place in March, 2013.

2. China will increase its efforts to root out and shut down illegal and unregistered foreign businesses. 
2. Brazil is not seeing any special movement on this area.

3. China will increase its tax collection efforts.
3. Brazil is already super effective in tax collection. What we are about to see, though, is an increase in the control and taxation of international service and software sales. The Brazilian Revenue Service has just put the "Siscoserv" in place. This system controls every international service transaction in the country. Personally, I see it as a harbinger of tax increase. After all, the government does not have much left to tax.

4. China: Litigation is increasing.
4. Brazil: Arbitration is increasing. The Brazilian courts are broken, and everybody knows that. Arbitration is the only safe harbor for international investors. 

Other trends that were not mentioned for China, but are relevant for Brazil:

5. Infrastructure regulation will remain uncertain, as the government sorts out how to fix the legal mess it made in 2012.

6. Regulatory compliance for consumer goods (toys, medicines, electronics) will soar. 
  As more and more imported products flow to the Brazilian economy, the pressure from the Brazilian industries will generate more and more non-tariff barriers to imports. It has just begun. 

What do you think?


China's Business Law Trends for 2013. Booorrring. | China Law Blog

quinta-feira, 20 de dezembro de 2012

Same sex marriage allowed in São Paulo, Brazil


Note: You may also want to see HOMOSEXUAL  MARRIAGE MADE EASIER IN BRAZIL;
 HOW TO: Getting Married in Brazil. and 
Brazilian Law on Love - marriage, stable union and visas.

Brazil is about to see something that we only heard about from the United States: a massive movement of people going to one specific State, in order to get married there.

This is because São Paulo State (where São Paulo city is located) has updated its registration rules in order to allow the automatic registration of same sex marriages, without the need of a previous court order.

This change has followed, with some delay, a decision from the Brazilian Supreme Court regarding same sex marriage.

Therefore, foreigners who wish to marry same sex partners in Brazil will now be allowed a marriage visa, which is much easier to obtain than the civil union visa for same sex unions, which already existed.

I consider this a triumph  of law and civility. A good thing for Brazil, at last.

The rule will be fully valid only on March, 2013.

The link below is in Portuguese:

Folha de S.Paulo - Cotidiano - Norma do TJ obriga cartórios de SP a registrar casamento gay - 19/12/2012

segunda-feira, 10 de dezembro de 2012

Border control in Brazil


Today the blog is launching a new weekly column. We will be counting on the invaluable contribution from Ms. Gringa da Silva, a foreigner who lives in Brazil and has some sharp-witted remarks to make about the country. 

The law part of the Brazilian Law Blog will remain under my responsibility. But Ms. Gringa's comments will certainly add some flavor to the usual FDI, IOF, Taxation, Importation and other legal conundrums that we all have learned to love. 

Enjoy!



___________

Welcome to Brazil - Bem-vindo ao Brasil 



Ah, the first post. It's always so exciting to begin something new.

So, you are about to arrive in Brazil, good for you. Have you got your paperwork in order? Got your vaccinations in order? Is your passport pretty and neat and without marks? Did you fill out your customs declaration form correctly?

You are about to enter the realm of The Brazilian Border (insert Twilight Zone music here), which is controlled by the Federal Police of Brazil. (We will be revisiting them many times as time goes on, so we'll just leave the summaries for later.)

Good things to know:

1) It is illegal to be rude to a bureaucrat in Brazil.
2) You can be denied entry to the country for being inconvenient.
3) No one (you actually need to speak English) speaks English.
4) No one at the border cares who you are; though they might care what your football team is.
5) It will take a while, so make friends in the line, stay calm and whatever you do, don't be iconvenient.
6) The line will be long, the instructions will be confusing, and the pressure of your bladder will be annoying.

You cannot escape the visa requirements, the paperwork, the possible fees incurred and customs regulations while entering Brazil and if you try, you might be denied entry.

Don't be an idiot by attempting to buy your way in or insult your way in, unless you fancy spending time in jail and a swift deportation with a possible clause prohibiting your return.

Know what is needed before you land. Have it all ready and at hand, and for heavens sake, if your mother packed a salami in your luggage (they have salami in Brazil, mom) tell them about it, don't try to import it illegally.

The Federal Police have no obligation to let you in and the particular flavour of bureaucrat you are about to meet is just looking for reasons to say the dreaded words: Falta! (error/ offence/ irregular/ not allowed)

So, when you find yourself all smelly from that billion hour plane flight, full of the delicious food you were served on the plane and dreaming of a bathroom that is larger than a carry-on bag, stay cool, be calm and for heaven's sake, be polite.

On the caipirinha scale, the border crossing rates a 1.


Until next week, yours in the spirit of cachaça,

Ms. Gringa da Silva


All rights reserved © 2012 by Ms. Gringa da Silva (http://msgringadasilva.orgfree.com/)