Brazilian Visa Types

09/19/2008

Brazilian Visa Types

BRAZIL VISA TYPES

The Brazilian Government issues 10 different types of visa. Visas are catagorized by type based on purpose of visit. The three catagories are Tourist (VITUR), Temporary (VITEM), Permanent and Diplomatic/Official.

The information below will explain what each type of visa is for. For more information click on the type of visa you are interested in.

TOURIST VISA

Tourist Visa ( VITUR ):

* Tourism trip;
* visit to relatives and/or friends;
* scientists, professors or researchers attending cultural, technological or scientific conferences, seminars.
* participation in artistic or amateur sport competitions, whenever no monetary prize or paid admission is involved.

(Tourist visa holders are not allowed to engage in any paid activity in Brazil.)

TEMPORARY VISAS:

Temporary Visa I ( VITEM-I ):

* Scientists, professors, researchers, participants in cultural, technological or scientific missions. (services provided must not be paid for by a corporation or other legal entity based in Brazil, except for wages for services rendered, with the submission of a receipt);
* Scientists, technicians, researchers or volunteers under the umbrella of an international cooperation program;
* Interns and other unpaid trainees, bearers of scholarships receiving professional practice in Brazil;
* Exchange students;
* Technicians receiving training in the operation and maintenance of machinery or equipment produced in Brazil;
* Amateur athletes, under 21 year old, participating in training programs in Brazil;
* Provision of services to a religious or social assistance entity, without employment relationship with a corporation or other legal entity based in Brazil.

(Temporary Visa I holders are not allowed to engage in any paid activity in Brazil.)

Temporary Visa II ( VITEM-II ):

* Travelers with business purposes, except when the trip involves the provision of services of any nature in Brazil (in which case a Vitem V is mandatory). Business visas are issued to business travelers who possess signed import/export contracts or who are traveling to visit companies, make commercial contacts or evaluate investment opportunities;
* Media coverage or filming;
* Flight/ship crew members not holding an international crew card. and
* Adoption of a Brazilian child.

Temporary Visa III ( VITEM-III ):

* Paid participation in athletic or performing arts events.

Temporary Student Visa IV ( VITEM-IV ):

* Pursuing undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate academic studies in Brazil.

Temporary Visa V ( VITEM-V ):

* Provision of services to the Brazilian Government, arising from an international agreement, contract or undertaking to which Brazil is a party;
* Employment contract with a corporation or other legal entity based in Brazil;
* Technical assistance services arising from a contract, cooperation agreement, services agreement, or similar instrument signed with a foreign corporation or other legal entity;
* Professional training, without an employment relationship, immediately after the completion of vocational training or university education;
* Medical residency in an educational institution accredited by the Ministry of Education and Recreation;
* Employees of foreign companies admitted to work in Brazil as trainees or interns at a subsidiary or Brazilian branch of the foreign company, provided that they are paid exclusively outside of Brazil by that foreign company;
* Foreign instructors or professors who intend to travel to Brazil for a period of training in foreign language instruction;
* Crew members of foreign vessels traveling to Brazil to operate in waters under Brazilian jurisdiction, as required under a charter, services or risk contract entered into with a Brazilian company;
* Crew members of foreign fishing vessels leased by Brazilian companies;
* Crew members or other professionals who perform paid activities aboard cruise vessels along the Brazilian coast, in the Amazon River basin, or in other inland waters.

Temporary Visa VI ( VITEM-VI ):

* Media correspondents

Temporary Visa VII ( VITEM-VII ):

* Travel for religious/missionary purposes.

PERMANENT VISAS:

* Family reunion;
* Transfer of residence following retirement;
* Personal investment in Brazil;
* Intra-company transferees to work as managers, directors, or executives;
* Job offer at a Brazilian research, scientific, or academic organization based on field of expertise;
* Manager or director of a religious or social assistance organization.

DIPLOMATIC and OFFICIAL VISAS:

* Diplomatic or Official mission.

If you would like assistance applying for your Brazilian visa: Apply now.