Visas for Temporary Work

As Brazil’s economy continues to grow and regulations are put in place to spur new job opportunities, the country is becoming increasingly attractive to foreigners, both for tourism and for work. Today, there is a chance for individuals to combine both.

Earlier this month, the Brazilian Ministry of Labor announced a resolution that will allow individuals vacationing in Brazil for an extended period of time to obtain a visa, which will allow them to work while they are in the country. The visa will be good for 90 days, which is perfect for those spending their summer there and looking for an opportunity to make money.

There are a number of requirements travelers must follow first, however. To be eligible to work, individuals must have a master’s degree or a doctorate. The Ministry of Labor must authorize the visa as well, meaning that the company intending to hire any foreigner must provide proof of appropriate education to the Ministry before any decision can be finalized.

This is a good opportunity for recent graduates of master’s or doctorate programs who are interested in traveling abroad before they go home to start their professional careers. It also gives them a chance to establish relationships with foreign businesses, which can prove to be a major asset in today’s global marketplace.

Of course, no move should be made without a full understanding of the country’s laws. Consulting with lawyers in Brazil will help travelers ensure they are protected and that they follow all regulations pertaining to their work in the country.

Treaty for Intl. Arms Deals

In an effort to show its increased commitment to world peace, Brazilian officials are supporting a treaty that would regulate international weapons trade.

Recently, Senator Ricardo Ferraço, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Commission, defended the ratification of the treaty to include strict laws pertaining to arms deals on a global level. Ferraço said that Brazil needs to commit to peace by approving this treaty quickly through the proper channels so it can move on to other nations. 

The United Nations approved the treaty, but some nations heavily involved in arms trade—namely Russia and China—abstained from voting while countries such as Syria, Iran and North Korea voted against it. 

Fifty countries must approve of the treaty before it can become international law. If the law passes, arms deals will become much more transparent. Ultimately, the goal is to allow international officials to keep an eye on all deals made throughout the globe, reducing the risk of customers using their purchased weapons for terrorism or any other malicious act. 

Brazil is very much in favor of this because officials believe it will go a long way toward preventing serious international incidents and will serve as a step in the right direction toward a more peaceful planet. Of course, exporting weapons is a major source of income for many countries. In fact, the global arms market is estimated to be at $70 billion. Preventing the sale of such items could have hazardous effects on national economies.

That’s why global federations don’t want to prevent the sale of weapons across country borders, but rather just keep an eye on them to make sure they are legitimate business deals. Companies relying on this practice in Brazil should contact lawyers in Brazil who can provide detailed information on the country’s laws regarding this trade.  

Brazil’s Trade Drops

Businesses that are interested in international transactions often focus on the possibilities within global trading, as resources from some countries may be beneficial for a variety of industries or corporations.

However, when it comes to international trade, laws in Brazil may be different from those in the United States or other nations, which will bring social and political implications for one’s company.

In recent centuries, the globalization of trade has posed more significance, as the industrialization of industries took hold as well as the benefits of outsourcing and multinational corporations.

For instance, electronic equipment, vehicles, and plastics have all moved forward to expand transactions between businesses and consumers. Some of the challenges that globalized trade includes are the costs associated with it, including tariffs and taxes from other countries.

However, when it comes to Brazil’s trade surplus, 4-traders recently reported that this has decreased substantially in the last year. The surplus shrank by 35 percent in Brazil, which amounts to $19.4 billion, while exports to China and Europe decreased.

Despite this, the United States has seen more transactions with the country, as exports out of Brazil rose in 2012. Weak economic growth and lack of demand from foreign businesses for exports led to the majority of trade decline in Brazil.

“The political and economic situation in the U.S. is one of the uncertainties for 2013,” Foreign Trade Secretary Tatiana Prazeres told the source. “But we should point out the historic resilience of the U.S. We’re cautiously optimistic about our sales to the U.S.”

U.S.-based businesses that are looking to expand their services or take advantage of the resources available in Brazil should consider speaking with a Brazilian attorney from a law firm in Brazil who has experience developing international trading contracts.

Meat producer recommits to Greenpeace’s deforestation prohibition activism

JBS SA, a global meat producer, has withdrawn a lawsuit against the environmental activist organization Greenpeace and will be working to avoid purchasing cattle from restricted regions in Brazil, according to a report from Reuters.

In June, JBS allegedly broke an agreement it committed to in 2009 that prohibited Brazilian meat companies from purchasing cattle raised on illegally deforested land or farms convicted of using slave labor. After Greenpeace accused the company of breaking the contract by publishing a public report claiming flaws in their system of control, JBS filed a lawsuit against the organization for false allegations and causing it to lose business.

However, the two parties were able to resolve their dispute and JBS has now agreed that all of its cattle purchases in the Amazon will be checked with deforestation monitoring methods by 2014.

“With this new chapter of the public commitment by JBS, we reinforce our objective of conciliating production and forest protection,” José Augusto de Carvalho Júnior, president of JBS for Mercosul, said in a company press release.

JBS also presented a public and independent audit on its company website to display its overall methods of cattle purchases. Marcelo Furtado, executive director of Greenpeace Brazil, said that it is imperative for those in the public and private sectors along with consumers to work toward a zero deforestation policy.

By working with Brazilian lawyers, it is possible for companies like Greenpeace and the meat producer to develop resolutions to their problems instead of going to court. Law firms in Brazil are able to provide dispute resolution tactics that can solve contract issues and other transactional problems between foreign companies conducting business dealings in Brazil.

Brazil’s changing divorce laws affect couples and kids

An American woman marries a foreigner. The couple has a child and then decides to move to the husband’s home country. After living there for several years, their marriage crumbles. They divorce, and when the wife attempts to bring her child back to America with her, she encounters resistance from her soon-to-be ex-husband and the court system of that country.

This is a completely plausible scenario, according to prominent New York marriage lawyer Marilyn Chinitz. She told Reuters last week that when it comes to divorce, the location of residence and where a divorce is filed is most critical.

Other international family law experts told Reuters that divorce procedures involving two parties who are citizens of different countries have become more complicated in recent years, due to variations in the law between countries, especially regarding such contentious issues as child custody, division of marital property, alimony and spousal support, and visitation guidelines. The recognition or homologation of foreign divorces in Brazil, believe it or not, will require a filing with the second highest court in the country in addition to potentially thousands of dollars in attorney and cross-border paperwork fees.

Recent changes to Brazil divorce law

Before 2010, when an amendment to the Brazilian constitution altered the law, couples were mandated to remain legally separated for one year before filing for a divorce. At the time, supporters of that amendment claimed that it would expedite legal processes and lead to a resolution that was agreeable to both parties.

“The procedure for the dissolution of marriage was simplified, thus reducing the interference of the state in people’s lives without altering the greater principle of protecting the family,” Senate leader Jose Sarney told the Latin American Herald Tribune.

Since that time, divorce rates have spiked to a level not seen since recordkeeping began in 1984, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The divorce rate climbed by nearly 37 percent in 2010 – the first year since new legal procedures were enacted.

Given these changes, and the complicated nature of divorce law in Brazil, a comprehensive understanding of legal procedures is critical before filing for separation. A certified Brazilian divorce attorney can represent a foreigner’s interests in Brazil and ensure that a divorce is settled fairly. And, if you haven’t married yet, consider hiring an attorney to advise you on a prenuptial agreement.