How to Get a Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social in 4 Easy Steps – CTPS

Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social

Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social

If you are a foreigner with a job offer in Brazil, you know that getting this job is just the first step (and arguably the “easy” part). The next step entails a long, bureaucratic process that includes getting the Brazil work visa, picking up your Brazil work visa at your nearest consulate or embassy, registering with the Federal Police in Brazil (Delegacia de Polícia Federal) and then getting the Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social (CTPS, aka the “Brazilian Work Book”). It is this final step, getting the CTPS, that is mandatory if you want to work legally in Brazil.

I’ll explain below the simple steps on how to get the CTPS as a foreigner:

1
Make an appointment at your nearest MTE branch
  • You will need to go to this site at the Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (i.e. Brazilian Work Ministry) to find the closest regional office of the MTE.
  • Assuming you are a foreigner, you will have to go to the Head Office (“Superintendencia”) in whatever State you are in (São Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, Minas Gerais, etc.) and not one of the smaller MTE offices.
  • For example, if you are in Rio De Janeiro, you will have to go to the MTE brand downtown in Centro at the following address: Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, nº 251 – Térreo, 12º, 13º e 14º andar. Rio de Janeiro – RJ – CEP 20020-908.
  • Click this link to make an appointment.
2
Gather the relevant documents
  • The next step is to gather the relevant documents.
  • If you have a permanent visa or temporary work visa (Vitem V), you will need to gather the following documents:
    • 2 photos that are 3cm x 4cm with white background, with or without the date, colored, and taken recently
    • A printout or copy of your original CPF card.
    • Proof of residence such as a lease agreement or utility bill
    • Copy and original of the Cédula de Identidade de Estrangeiro (i.e. foreigner identity card) or Protocolo that you received when you registered at the Federal Police
    • 2 copies of the publication in the “Diário Oficial da União” that shows that the MTE in Brasília authorized you to get the work visa. Note: If you are working with a visa agency, they will normally need to e-mail this over to you.
    • The SINCRE (Sistema Nacional de Cadastramento de Registro de Estrangeiros) printout that you received when you registered at the Federal Police. This SINCRE printout is a slip of white paper with a bunch of your personal data on it.
    • Your Passport
    • Bring your work contract as well just in case. It is not explicitly stated on the MTE website to have this, but having more documents is always better in the event they ask for this.
3
Go to the MTE to submit your documents
  • Show up at your appropriate date and time and present your documents.
  • You will receive a little slip of paper (i.e. protocol) that will notify you when you can return to pick up your CTPS.
4
Pick up your CTPS!
  • That’s it! Just return to the MTE regional office after the date stated on the protocol, and pick up your brand new CTPS.
  • The CTPS will be a small book with either a blue or green cover (see picture at the top of this post) that looks a lot like your passport.
  • Congratulations my friend because you are now legal to work in Brazil!

Further Reading

About Addison Sears-Collins

Hey! I'm Addison Sears-Collins, the founder of Visa Hunter. You can learn more about me here. Connect with me by liking my fan page on Facebook, connecting with me on Twitter, or check out my website Automatic Addison where I build robots and embedded systems.

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