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Who Are The Foreigners Coming To Live And Work In Brazil. Survey Reveals Which Countries Send The Most Workers To Brazil And The Sectors That Most Attract Immigrants In The Last Decade
The foreigners coming to live and work in Brazil form an increasingly diverse group, occupying roles from executive positions in multinational companies to operational roles in the industry and sports. Official data from the General Coordination of Labor Immigration of the Ministry of Justice shows that the entry of these professionals aligns with economic, technological, and even geopolitical changes.
In the last ten years, the Philippines, China, Cameroon, and Bangladesh have been among the main countries of origin, each driven by very specific reasons — from shipping to the electric automotive industry, passing through football and the meat export sector.
The Profile Of The New Immigrant In Brazil
According to the agency of the Ministry of Justice, the most common profile among the foreigners coming to live and work in Brazil is men between 30 and 45 years old, with a high level of education. Many arrive as digital nomads, working for foreign companies without employment ties in Brazil. Since 2021, Brazilian law has also provided specific visas for this audience.
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Larger than entire cities in Brazil: BYD is building a 4.6 km² complex in Bahia with a capacity for 600,000 vehicles per year, but the discovery of 163 workers in conditions analogous to slavery has shaken the entire project.
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With an investment of R$ 612 million, a capacity to process 1.2 million liters of milk per day, Piracanjuba inaugurates a mega cheese factory that increases national production, reduces dependence on imports, and repositions Brazil on the global dairy map.
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Brazilian city gains industrial hub for 85 companies that is equivalent to 55 football fields.
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Peugeot and Citroën factory in Argentina cuts production by half and opens a layoff program for more than 2,000 employees after Brazil drastically reduced purchases of Argentine vehicles.
In addition, there are those who come to invest, open businesses, purchase real estate, or even retire in the country. In all cases, the residence visa depends on compliance with the rules set forth in the Migration Law and complementary regulations.
Philippines: The Dominance Of Maritime Work
Between 2016 and June 2024, the Philippines led the grants of residency for work. The reason lies at sea: Filipino sailors are internationally recognized and account for one-fourth of the world’s maritime workforce.
The growth of Brazilian exports, primarily by sea, has led thousands of these professionals to operate foreign-flagged ships that operate along the Brazilian coast. In the first half of 2024 alone, one in five new residents came to work on board.
China: Electric Automotive Industry On The Rise
In the most recent report, from 2024, leadership shifted to China, with over 500 residency permits issued per month, 60% of which are without employment ties in the country. The arrival of automakers like BYD and GWM has driven the influx of engineers, managers, and technicians, also provoking reactions from Japanese and European competitors, who brought their own executives.
This movement reflects the global competition in the electric car sector, where Brazil is beginning to become a strategic center for production and distribution.
Football, Meat, And Religion: Other Curious Origins
The data also reveals less obvious cases. Over 500 Cameroonians arrived in Brazil in 2024 to work as professional football players. From Bangladesh, about 450 workers came to slaughterhouses, especially in the slaughter of beef destined for Islamic countries.
Another curiosity is the presence of American missionaries: 75 U.S. citizens received visas to work in religious missions in the country.
Neighbors With Special Rules
The survey does not highlight Haitians and Venezuelans due to different rules. In 2024, over 2,500 Haitians obtained residency through humanitarian reception, while Venezuelans registered 48,000 requests in the first semester, benefiting from regional agreements.
Citizens from Mercosur countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, can apply for residency directly at the Federal Police. Argentinian Francisco Simon, who arrived in 1999 to work in São Paulo, says that opportunities in Brazil “are more relevant and numerous than in many countries in Latin America.”
And you, do you know of any foreigner who decided to live and work in Brazil? Do you think this presence helps or hinders the national market? Share your opinion in the comments.
Se olharmos, o fracasso do sistema de cotas, que não ataca a raiz do problema que é a falta de uma família completa que foi largamente comprovado nos Estados Unidos onde o próprio presidente Obama disse no dia dos Pais família sem pai 20 vezes mais chances de não concluir o ensino médio 17 vezes mais chance de usar droga 10 vezes mais chance de ser preso, faz com que 70 por cento dos alunos de engenharia não termine o curso. E agora teremos que trazer técnicos de fora. Observação os chineses não dividem conhecimento. Quem já trabalhou com sabe disso. Eles querem gerar emprego na China. E o PT quer se aliar a eles ou vender o país? Nenhuma das duas opções presta pra quem conhece ciência política.
Quanto aos chineses vão disputar a tapa esses cargos. Imagina finalmente a LIBERDADE!