How long do the quotas for the Brazil Working Holiday Visa usually last?

Volare Editorial | March 27, 2026

Planning a long-term trip under the Working Holiday modality requires understanding not only the requirements but also the competition dynamics for vacancies. In the case of the Brazil Working Holiday Visa (VITEM VI), quota duration varies drastically depending on the applicant's country of origin and the established reciprocity terms.Below, we analyze the demand and estimated availability times for the current cycle.

Availability Analysis by Country

The speed at which vacancies are exhausted is directly related to the number of allocated quotas and the volume of interested parties in each region. According to reports from consular offices, this is the observed behavior:

• Germany (Stable demand): With 1,000 annual quotas, vacancies are usually available throughout most of the year. This allows German citizens to plan their application with greater flexibility without the risk of immediate exhaustion.

• Australia (Moderate competition): The 500 annual quotas ensure availability for several months before running out. Interest is constant, but the E-consular system allows for an orderly administration that prevents a sudden collapse of vacancies.

• South Korea (Moderate to high demand): The 300 quotas are managed and exhausted progressively. Availability depends strictly on the schedule set by the consular office; therefore, it is recommended to closely follow communications from the embassy.

• France (Sustained demand): With an annual quota managed under a bilateral agreement, vacancies usually last for almost the entire annual cycle. Demand is high, but the pre-validation process helps vacancies be assigned gradually.

• New Zealand (Extremely high competition): This is the most critical case of the program. The 300 annual quotas are usually exhausted in a matter of minutes (sometimes in less than 10 minutes) immediately after the official opening of the system. Applicants must have all their documentation prepared in advance for the exact moment of opening.

  
  

Factors Influencing Vacancy Management

Unlike other programs, Itamaraty manages vacancies technically. The speed of exhaustion depends not only on interest but also on the efficiency of the digital document upload. Countries with hybrid processes require the online validation to be perfect to access one of the physical vacancies before the counter reaches zero.

For countries with high competition, such as New Zealand, it becomes vital to have previously managed sworn translations and apostilles, as any error in the digital upload could mean losing the spot to other better-prepared applicants.

Planning Recommendations

Since this visa is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and does not allow for extensions, the choice of when to apply is strategic. If your nationality presents high competition, the preparation of your file should start at least three months before the estimated quota opening date to ensure all certificates are valid and validated.

More information

If you wish to know the current status of quotas for your nationality or the detailed requirements of the file, we invite you to consult the full section on the Brazil Working Holiday Visa on our Volare website.