Types of Travel Permits for Brazil

As a Brazilian visa aspirant, the quantity of different visa types and requirements might appear to be a little overwhelming to you. This article is written with an objective to get you concisely acquainted with the process. There are 10 different types of visas issued by the Brazilian Government, classified based on the intent of your visit. The three categories are: Tourist Visa or VITUR, Temporary Visa or VITEM, and Permanent & Diplomatic Visas. Let us walk you through each type of Brazilian visa:

Tourist Visa

VITUR – Tourist visa:

Eligibility: Tourist visa is issued to individuals who wish to undertake a tourism trip or pay a visit to friends and/or relatives. It can also be issued to researchers, scientists, and professors who are traveling to Brazil to attend seminars or scientific, technological and cultural conferences. Participants of sports and art competitions are also eligible for this type of visa.

Validity: Brazilian Tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the first entry in Brazil. There is also a multiple entry Tourist visa and it has a validity of 10 years and a duration of stay of 90 days.

Dos and Don’ts: The visa holder has to enter Brazil within 90 days of the date of issuance or the visa would be considered void. Also, Tourist visa holders are not permitted to engage in paid activities in Brazil.

Temporary visas

VITEM 1 – Cooperation visa:

Eligibility: The individuals holding eligibility for this type of visa are: Scientists, technicians, researchers or volunteers participating in activities as a part of an international cooperation program. This also includes athletes (under 21 years of age) participating in training programs, exchange students, unpaid interns, and trainees.

Validity: VITEM 1 or Cooperation Visa is valid for 90 days from the first entry in Brazil. There is also a multiple entry Cooperation visa that has a validity of 5 years and a duration of stay of 90 days.

Dos and Don’ts: One must enter Brazil within 90 days of the date of issuance otherwise the visa is considered void. Also, Temporary Visa I holders are not permitted to indulge in any paid activity in Brazil.

VITEM 2 – Business visa:

Eligibility: Business visas are issued to business travelers in possession of signed export/import contracts or individuals evaluating investment avenues, establishing commercial contacts and those on a company visit. It is also issued to media persons, Flight/Ship crew members, and Adoptive parents.

Validity: VITEM 2 or Business Visa is valid for 90 days from the first entry in Brazil. There is also a multiple entry Business visa that has a validity of 5 years and a duration of stay of 90 days.

Dos and Don’ts: One must enter Brazil within 90 days of the date of issuance otherwise the visa is considered void. Also, Business visa holders are not permitted to participate in any activity under an employment contract with a Brazilian organization/corporation. For trips involving the provision of technical assistance services of any nature, VITEM 5 is required.

Temporary residence visas

VITEM 3 – Performers visa:

Eligibility: This visa is applicable for artists or athletes (and their support staff) under contract, visiting to participate or perform in paid events.

Validity: VITEM 3 or Performers Visa is valid for 90 days from the first entry in Brazil. There is also a multiple entry Performers visa that has a validity of 5 years and a duration of stay of 90 days.

Dos and Don’ts: It is mandatory to obtain necessary approvals by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor (CIMT) after the submission of contract. Visa application can then be submitted to the Brazilian embassy. Also, one must enter Brazil within 90 days of the date of issuance otherwise the visa is considered void.

VITEM 4 – Student visa:

Eligibility: This visa is applicable for students at the undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate or technical level.

Validity: This visa holds good for multiple entries, for the time of the student’s course duration. If required, an extension may be acquired with the Federal Police in Brazil, if requested at least 30 days prior to visa’s expiry.

Dos and Don’ts: The student must enter Brazil within 90 days of the date of issuance otherwise the visa is considered void. Student Visa (i.e. Vitem-IV) holders are not allowed to engage in any paid activity in Brazil.

VITEM 5 – Work visa:

Eligibility: Following individuals are eligible for the Brazilian Work Visa (VITEM 5): Individuals providing services to Brazilian Government, those possessing employment contract with a corporation or legal entity in Brazil, those undergoing professional training after the completion of vocational training or university education, Medical residents, employees of foreign countries assigned to work in a Brazilian branch as trainees or interns, foreign instructors/professors and crew members of foreign shipping vessels leased by Brazilian companies under Brazilian jurisdiction.

Validity: Foreign employees are eligible for a temporary work visa which has an initial validity of 2 years. An extension for an additional two years can be requested no later than 30 days before the visa’s expiry date.

Dos and Don’ts: Work visas and permits are issued to only those foreigners whose future employer is a registered Brazilian company. Also, an expat in possession of a temporary work visa is not permitted to switch employers in Brazil without permission.

VITEM 6 – Journalism visa

This one is issued to media professionals.

VITEM 7 – Religious visa

This applies to clergymen and missionaries traveling to Brazil to undertake religious, missionary or academic work. Apart from the regular documents, this visa requires financial affidavit drawn at a “Cartório” (registry) by the Brazilian religious or missionary organization on behalf of the visitor and on his exit from the country.

Other visas

VIPER – Permanent visa

This type of visa applies to people moving to Brazil permanently. Individuals eligible for VIPER include: people joining an immediate family member who is either a Brazilian citizen or a permanent resident, those transferring residence after retirement, people with personal investments in Brazil, directors of religious or social assistance organizations, Intra-company transferees to work as managers, directors, or executives and individuals with exceptional capabilities in science, technology and academics, with a job offer.

Permanent visa holders must be registered with the Federal Police within the first 30 days of their arrival regardless of the length of their stay in Brazil. Permanent visas are automatically voided if the visa holder stays out of Brazil for 24 consecutive months.

VIDIP/VISOF – Diplomatic visa:

Eligibility

Diplomatic visa is directed to diplomats, government employees, diplomats of International Organizations and those on an official mission to Brazil with diplomatic status. It requires a letter from the Diplomatic Mission or International Organization stating the nature and duration of the mission. Official visa is directed to individuals on an official mission to Brazil, without diplomatic status.

Validity

This Visa is issued for the duration of the mission, as approved by the authorities in Brazil.

The Brazilian Consulates and Embassies are jurisdictional. The Consulate accepts your Visa application depending on your state of residence. Every consulate has marginally distinct requirements and visa-processing times, which makes it imperative for you to choose the prerequisites for your jurisdiction in order to apply for the Brazilian visa. In addition, each visa comes with a definite number of forbearances and permissions, so before applying for any type of visa, it is important to thoroughly think through what you are going for.