Short Term Assignments Latin America

Host: Maude Burger-Smith (Peregrine)

Speakers:

INTRODUCTION: Raquel Gómez Salas (Peregrine)

ARGENTINA: Hector Gabriel Celano (Celano & Asociados)

BRAZIL: Vinicius Almeida (Atene Consultoria)

CHILE: Paulina Herrera (Contacto Chile)

COLOMBIA: Marcela Trujillo (Godoy & Cordoba)

PANAMA: Albalira Montúfar (BDS)

VENEZUELA: Daniela Arévalo (Littler Venezuela)

Speakers    

Short term assignments  

•  Have  increased  in  the  last  years    •  Many  La2n  American  countries  have  developed  policies  to  a8ract  foreign  investment  and  have  in  place  short  term  routes  for  home  contract  employees  

 

General Categories    

I.  Technical/qualified  staff  (Brazil;  Argen2na;  Colombia,  Peru)  

II.  Broad  scope  and  eligibility  (Argen2na;    Chile,  Bolivia;  Ecuador;  Paraguay;  Mexico;  Venezuela)  

III. Work  permit  processes  designed  for  home  contract  employees  on  short  or  long  term  assignment  (Costa  Rica;  El  Salvador)  

   

 

General Benefits    

•  OSen  permi8ed  (although  some2mes  only  if  a  visa  waiver  na2onal)  to  enter  the  country  on  a  tourist/business  status  and  apply  for  the  short  term  work  visa/permit  post-­‐arrival  (i.e.:  Argen2na,  Chile,  Paraguay;    Bolivia;  Peru)  

•  Simple  documenta2on  requirements  •  Fast  processing  2me  •  OSen  possible  to  change  status  within  the  country  if  the  assignment  is  extended  (Chile,  Bolivia,  Ecuador,  Paraguay)  

 

General Red flags    

•  Post  arrival  applica2ons:  work  is  not  authorised  un2l  the  short  term  authoriza2on  has  been  approved  

•  High  processing  fees  in  many  countries  •  Family  dependents  may  not  be  allowed  to  accompany  the  employee  on  the  same  status  

•  Legalisa2ons  may  be  s2ll  required  –  at  discre2on  of  authori2es  

•  Foreign  ID  card/residence  card  to  complete  the  immigra2on  process  may  s2ll  be  required  

Let’s take a look…

Special  Transitory  Visa  (Direc3ve  1170/2010):      •  Applies  to  a  broad  range  of  applicants:  a.  professionals  b.  scien2sts  c.  technicians  d.  religious  workers          e.  ar2sts.    •  can  be  on  host  or  home  company  payroll  

Special  Transitory  Visa  (Direc3ve  1171/2010):      •  To  carry  out  business,  commercial  or  economic  ac2vi2es  and  those  

who  need  to  par2cipate  in  exhibi2ons  and  fairs    •  must  be  on  home  company  payroll  

Note  in  all  cases  the  Argen0ne  sponsor  company  must  have  a  current  registra0on  with  RENURE  and  provide  a  detailed  support  le;er  

Argentina: Special Transitory Visa  

   Consular  Applica3on  (Pre-­‐Arrival)    •  Process  should  be  ini2ated  30  days  before  travel  date    •  Validity  from  90  days  to  12  months  in  which:  

–  Special  Transitory  Visa  (Direc2ve  1170/2010):  authorized  stay  is  30  days      

–  Special  Transitory  Visa  (Direc2ve  1171/20100):  authorized  stay  is  60  days.    

•  Can  be  renewed  in  Argen2na  •  Personal  appearance  required  at  diploma2c  mission            

Process - Special Transitory Visa

   Post  Arrival  Applica3on  (in  Buenos  Aires)  

•  Granted  for  a  maximum  of  90  days  and  only  twice  a  year      •  Appointments  on  the  same  day  if  paying  premium  process  fee  

USD  160  •  Personal  appearance  not  required    •  Can  be  filed  and  completed  on  the  same  day  on  applicant’s  

behalf      

Process - Special Transitory Visa

PROS    •  Fast  •  Easy  •  Simple  documenta2on  •  No  police  clearance  

cer2ficates  are  required        

CONS  •  No  dependents  •  Specific  ac2vi2es  as  per  company  

le8er    •  The  post  arrival  transitory  visa  

expires  if  the  holder  exits  Argen2na  •  Maximum  of  two  post-­‐arrival  

transitory  visas  in  one  year  (365  days  from  the  date  of  the  first  visa  applica2on).  In  order  to  apply  for  a  new  post-­‐arrival  transitory  visa,  the  applicant  must  leave  the  country  and  re-­‐enter  

Pros and Cons

•  It  is  possible  for  visa  waiver  na2onals  to  carry  on  business  ac2vi2es  in  Argen2na  without  applying  for  a  special  transitory  residency  –  grey  area  

•  The  Argen2ne  sponsor  company  must  have  a  current  registra2on  with  RENURE  at  the  2me  of  applica2on  

•  Only  the  work  ac2vi2es  outlined  in  the  company  support  le8er  will  be  authorised  

 

Red Flags

Brazil: Technical Visa (Vitem V)  

1.  Applicable  for  foreign  na2onals  who  will  enter  Brazil  for   up   to   one   year   to   provide   technical   assistance  services   or   transfer   technology   pursuant   to   a  technical  assistance  or  technology  transfer  contract  

2.  Valid  for  up  to  90  days  

Cannot  be  requested  for  any  other  work  -­‐  administra0ve,  execu0ve  or  financial  func0ons.  

Process    

•  Consular  applica2on    •  Personal  appearance  required  at  the  consulate  

 •  RNE  Card  to  be  applied  for  within  30  days  of  arrival  (previous  appointment  required)  

 

Requirements    

•  Invita2on  le8er  from  Brazilian  sponsoring  company  

•  Proof  of  registra2on  of  the  Brazilian  sponsor  company  with  the  Na2onal  Register  of  Legal  En22es  (CNPJ)  

•  Proof  of  technical  nature  of  work  

Addi%onal  documents  may  be  required  at  the  Consulate  discre%on  

Red Flags    

   

 •  No  work  contract  and  remunera2on  in  Brazil  •  Linked  to  the  Brazilian  company  that  sponsored  the  applica2on  •  Cannot  be  extended  •  May  be  granted  only  once  within  a  180  days  period  (counted  

from  the  first  entry  into  Brazil)  •  Applica2on  must  be  done  at  Brazilian  consulate  in  country  of  

residence  -­‐  processing  2me  and  requirements  may  vary  according  to  the  consulate  

•  Dependents  are  not  allowed  

Non Compliance    

Work  on  a  business  visa  is  not  allowed  in  Brazil  and  penal2es  exist  for  immigra2on  non  compliance.      Applicant:    

– Fine  of  R$  8.28  per  day  of  overstay  and  an  order  to  leave  Brazil  within  8  days  

–  If  found  working  on  tourist  or  business  status  the  applicant  will  be  formally  deported  

Company:  – Fine  of  R$  2,483.26  per  irregular  foreigner  

The  Special  Work  Permit  for  tourists  (autorización  para  trabajar  con  permiso  de  turismo)  is  intended  for  visa  exempt  professionals  providing  short  term  services  to  a  Chilean  en2ty  who  is  willing  to  sponsor  them.    

•  Granted  for  up  to  30  days  and  may  be  extendable  twice  for  the  same  period  (up  to  a  total  of  90  days)  un2l  the  visitor  status  is  expired.    The  tourist  status  can  also  be  renewed  in  Chile  for  a  second  90  days  period  before  expira2on  so  this  category  can  be  used  for  up  to  180  days/6  months  

•  Visa  applica2on  fee  of  1.5  2mes  the  local  hire  work  visa  fee  will  need  to  be  paid.  This  amount  will  vary  depending  on  na2onality  (between  around  15  USD  to  670  USD)  and  is  available  here    h8p://bit.ly/UTVKUI  

Process  (Post  Arrival)    •  Applica2on  filed  at  Chilean  Immigra2on  office  AFTER  arrival  on  tourist  status    

•  Processing  2me  of  two  to  three  days  

Chile: Special Work Permit  

1.  Passport  with  stamp  of  the  last  entry  to  Chile    2.  Tourism  landing  card  (The  card  will  be  retained  for  the  

dura2on  of  the  work  permit)  3.  Labour  contract  signed  by  both  par2es  before  a  notary  

(Local  hires)  OR  a  le8er  from  the  company  incorporated  in  Chile,  signed  before  a  public  notary,  explaining  the  link  between  the  two  companies  and  describing  purpose  of  visit  to  Chile  (Assignees).  In  both  cases  the  le8ers  must  contain  the  start  date  of  the  assignment  and  a  number  of  special  clauses  as  per  Chilean  law.  

4.  Visa  applica2on  fee  

Requirements    

Advantages    •  Short  processing  2me    •  Simple  documenta2on.    •  Can  be  renewed  up  to  six  

2mes    •  Status  can  be  changed  to  a  

work  visa  in-­‐country  •  Family  members    can  

accompany  on  tourist  status  

Red  Flags    •  Only  for  visa  exempt  na2onals  •  High  processing  fee  •  Permit  must  be  returned  before  

the  applicant  leaves  the  country    •  Not  possible  to  obtain  a  Tax  ID  

(RUT),  nor  a  local  bank  account.    •  The  applicant  should  never  

admit    that  the  purpose  of  the  visit  is  work  when  entering  Chile  on  a  tourist  status  as  there  is  the  risk  of  being  returned  to  home  country  

 

Advantages and Red Flags    

Colombia: TP13 & PIP7    

TP-­‐13  

APPLIES   TO:   Experts   foreigners   that  need   to   provide   technical   assistance  within  the  country    

VALIDITY:  180  days  

Process:   Can   be   done   online   or   personally  (visa  waiver).   The   visa   has   to   be   requested  before  a  Colombian  Consulate  abroad  or  the  Ministry   of   Foreign   Affairs   in   Bogota,  Colombia.  

DEPENDENTS:  No  

HIGHLIGHTS:   Foreign   na2onals   with  restricted  na2onality  must  request  their  visas   abroad   before   a   Colombian  Consulate  before  they  enter  Colombia.    

 PIP-­‐7    

APPLIES   TO:   Expert   foreigners   that  need   to   provide   technical   assistance  within   the   country     based   on   an  emergency/urgency  

VALIDITY:  30  days  

Process:   Has   to   be   requested   at  Migración   Colombia   at   least   three   to  five   business   days   before   the   foreign  na2onal  enters  Colombia.    

DEPENDENTS:  No  

HIGHLIGHTS:   It   applies   to   visa   exempt  na2onals.  From  February  2015  na2onals  from  India,  China,  Vietnam  and  Thailand  may  apply  if  they  have  a  valid  Schengen  or  USA  visa.  

TP-13    

Experts  needing  to  provide  technical  assistance  within  the  country  for  up  to  180  days.    Process:    •  Online  or  in  person  applica2on  (if  the  applicant  is  visa  exempt  to  

Colombia)  •  Visa  has  to  be  requested  before  a  Colombian  Consulate  abroad  or  

at  the  Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs  in  Bogota      Red  Flags:    •  Visa  na2onals  can  only  enter  Colombia  on  consular  visas  applied  at  

the  Colombian  Consulate  abroad  •  No  dependents  

PIP-7    

Experts  needing  to  provide  URGENT  technical  assistance  within  the  country  (and  there  are  no  qualified  locals)  for  up  to  30  days    Process:  •  In-­‐country  applica2on  -­‐  filed  at  Migración  Colombia  at  least  three  

business  days  before  the  applicant  enters  Colombia.      Red  Flags:    •  Only  applies  to  visa  exempt  na2onals.  From  February  2015,  

na2onals  from  India,  China,  Vietnam  and  Thailand  may  be  able  to  apply  for  this  permit  if  they  have  a  valid  Schengen  or  USA  visa.  

•  No  dependents  

Applies  to  personnel  or  temporary  workers  or  technicians  in  the  cultural,  professional,  educa2onal  or  scien2fic  fields,  specifically  for  a  project  in  Panama    •  The  employment  contract  must  include  the  payment  of  the  work  carried  out  in  Panama  (minimum  US$500  but  cannot  be  lower  than  the  minimum  salary,  per  ac2vity,  hour  and  region)  

•  Post-­‐arrival  applica2on  in  Panama  

Panama: Transit Visa and Temporary Work Permit    

     

Process  (Post  Arrival)  1.  Temporary  Work  Permit  Applica2on  (3  months  validity  ;  

renewable)  2.  Transit  Visa  Applica2on  (12  months  validity;  renewable  5  

2mes)  

•  Processing  2me  up  to  6  weeks  

•  Legalised  le8er  of  experience  (for  experts)  required  

•  Police  clearance  from  the  country  of  origin  or  residency  is  required  

Process - Transit Visa and Temporary Work Permit    

       

Advantages  

•  Short  processing  2me    •  Simple  documenta2on.    •  Can  be  renewed  up  to  5  

years  •  Status  can  be  changed  to  

a  different  work  visa  in-­‐country  

•  Allows  dependents    

Red  Flags  •  Host  en2ty  required  with  

commercial  license    •  Local  Panamanian  payroll  

with  minimum  salary  •  Frequent  renewals  

necessary  •  Legalisa2ons  may  be  

required  •  Police  clearance  required    

Advantages and Red Flags    

     

Applicable  for  any  individuals  who  enter  the  country  to  perform  ac2vi2es/business  transac2ons.    •  Not  been  specifically  created  for  short  term  work  but  due  to  

the  broad  defini2on  in  the  Venezuelan  law,  used  in  prac2ce  for  short  term  work  ac2vi2es  

•  Applicable  to  corpora2ons,  traders,  execu2ves  or  representa2ves;  micro-­‐entrepreneurs  and  any  other  individual  entering  the  country  to  carry  out  business  ac2vi2es,  transac2ons  or  any  other  lucra2ve  ac2vi2es  connected  with  their  business  

•  Home  country  payroll  and  contract  •  Valid  for  one  year  (mul2ple  entries),  not  renewable  

Venezuela: TR-N Visa    

 Process  (Consular):    Applica2on  must  be  submi8ed  in  the  Venezuelan  embassy  or  consulate  in  country  of  residence  prior  arrival  and  processing  2me  is  15  to  30  days    General  Requirements  -­‐  may  vary  from  one  consular  office  to  another    •  Passport  valid  for  six  months  minimum  •  A  le8er  from  home  en2ty  confirming  purpose  of  visit  to  Venezuela  

with  details  of  host  en2ty  in  Venezuela    •  NOTE  referrals  from  Commerce  Chamber  of  both  home  and  host  

company  (by-­‐laws  etc)  may  be  required    

Process - TR-N Visa    

Advantages      •  No  legalisa2on  of  documents  •  Police  clearance  generally  not  

required  •  Fast    •  Simple  documenta2on  •  Process  completed  in  

applicant’s  country  of  origin  or  residence  –  no  post  arrival  steps  

   

Red  Flags    •  No  dependents.  •  No  change  in  immigra2on  

status  to  other  categories  of  residence  

•  No  extensions/renewals  •  Foreign  contract/payroll  •  Applicants  must  declare  any  

profit  incurred  during  their  stay  in  Venezuela  to  the  Ministry  of  Finance  before  leaving  the  country  

Advantages and Red Flags    

In summary…