Together with Porto teammate Christian Atsu, Kelvin was sent on loan to fellow Primeira Liga club Rio Ave F.C. for the 2011–12 campaign. He made his debut in the competition on 21 August 2011, in a 0–1 away loss against Académica de Coimbra.

On 13 January 2015, Kelvin joined Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras on a loan deal. He played five games as they won the Copa do Brasil that year, and scored in a 5–1 home win (6–2 aggregate) in the second leg of the second round against Sampaio Corrêa Futebol Clube on 12 May.

Kelvin moved to São Paulo FC, also on loan, on 2 February 2016. On 6 April, he recorded the first continental goal of his career, in a 6–0 home thrashing of Venezuela’s Trujillanos F.C. in the Copa Libertadores group stage. He scored once in the national league on 11 September, opening a 3–1 win over Figueirense FC.

On 3 February 2017, Kelvin was loaned to CR Vasco da Gama until the end of the year. Limited by injury in his first year in Rio de Janeiro, he nonetheless had his link extended the following January; he scored once on 5 May 2018 to conclude a 4–1 win over América Futebol Clube after coming on as a substitute.

On 5 February 2020, having won promotion with Coritiba, Kelvin signed for Avaí FC for the season. He was released on 21 May, having made four goalless appearances, so that the club could add Renato to their payroll. In August, he began training with the club again, who had retained his registration.

On 6 October 2020, Kelvin returned to the top-flight with strugglers Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas. He signed to the end of the season, with the option of two more.