Amazonas is the second state with the highest proportion of foreign MEIs in Brazil

Manaus (AM) – Second state with the highest proportion of active foreign individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs), Amazonas saw this formalized population grow by almost 300%. The data are from a survey carried out by Sebrae in May 2023, compared to the previous survey, in May 2019. There are 1,964 entrepreneurs who came from other countries, corresponding to 1.68% of this segment in the federation unit.

Although it concentrates the largest population of MEIs of other nationalities (31,834), São Paulo dropped one position in the ranking in proportional terms (0.94%), taking third place. In this regard, Roraima maintained the first position, currently with a population of 1,611 foreign entrepreneurs, which corresponds to 7.81% of MEIs in that state.

The study carried out by Sebrae based on data from the Federal Revenue reveals that, currently, there are 74,200 active Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEI) of other nationalities in Brazil. The number is 73% higher than that recorded in 2019, the pre-pandemic period, when there were 42,900, and corresponds to 5.7% of the total number of immigrants in the country, according to the Ministry of Justice, which raised a universe of 1. 3 million immigrants in 2021.

Three “neighbors”

The only state to border three countries, Amazonas has a peculiar territorial context regarding the flow of foreigners. And also as a destination for immigrants. This interaction is easily perceptible in the municipality of Tabatinga, in the west of the state. The city is located in the triple border region between Brazil, Peru and Colombia.

Head of Sebrae’s Regional Office in Tabatinga, Narciso Moreira explains that the point often serves entrepreneurs of Colombian and Peruvian origin. “For this public to be served, it is necessary that it has at least the CPF number and a document of foreign proof”, he said.

“This simplification, which previously required the receipt of the declaration of individual or voter registration, increased the number of people seeking formalization here in the country”,

observed.

By March of this year, 5,370 Venezuelans had completed the process of moving to the interior of Manaus through the Acolhida Operation, according to data from the Federal Government. In this group, a diagnosis carried out by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and AVSI Brasil, revealed that 21.7% work as self-employed on the streets and at fairs in the capital, and only 5.5% declare themselves as owners of their own business.

Partnership

The NGO World Vision, which operates with programs and projects of humanitarian action in the areas of child protection, education and advocacy, has among its projects assistance to Venezuelan migrants and refugees, an action called “Ven, Tú Puedes!”. Through it, the NGO signed a partnership with Sebrae Amazonas to promote the ‘Basic Training in Entrepreneurship’ training.

There are 40 hours of theoretical training that will serve 450 Venezuelans until August, with the application of programmatic content created by Sebrae. The material involves viewing entrepreneurial opportunities for building small businesses, formalization, financial management, sales strategies, among other objectives.

The first edition of the initiative took place last year and trained 600 Venezuelans in Manaus, where the outstanding projects received funds for investments from World Vision.

The “Vén, Tú Puedes!” project, directed by World Vision and financed by the Office of Populations, Refugees and Migrants (PRM) of the United States government, provides Portuguese language classes, professional training courses, issuance of work permits, among other services. by partnerships with institutions in all regions of the capital.

Information about registration can be consulted through contact (92) 99271-3718 and at support locations: ADRA Amazonas Headquarters at Rua Furnas, 484, Raiz or at the Interiorization and Screening Post (PITRIG) on Av. Mario Ypiranga, 3280, Flores.

Formalization

Foreigners can formalize themselves as individual micro-entrepreneurs through the gov.br platform. However, it is necessary to have a National Migration Registration Card or Provisional Document of National Migration Registration, or Refuge Request Protocol, which can be requested via registration at the Federal Police department with the indication of the registration number.

For foreigners with a temporary visa, registration as MEI will only be allowed for citizens of MERCOSUR member countries and Associated States and who have a temporary residence of two years, in this way, they can be a businessman, holder or partner, or administrator. Currently, it is no longer necessary to file a PF Income Tax Return.

*With advisory information

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