Brazil's MEI Program Expands Opportunities for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Brazil's Individual Micro-entrepreneur (MEI) program is increasingly accessible to foreign residents, including expatriates and refugees, under the country's 2017 Migration Law and Complementary Law 128/2008. The program allows eligible individuals to register for MEI online, provided they hold a permanent National Migration Registry Card, a temporary residence permit with work authorization, or recognized refugee status. The MEI program offers a streamlined process for self-employment, with an annual gross-revenue ceiling of R$ 81,000 and a fixed social-tax DAS payment. The program is particularly beneficial for multinationals seconding staff to Brazil, as it provides a low-cost way to regularize freelancers and short-term assignees.