Cultural, Students, Volunteers Visa (Temporary I)

 
This type of visa can be issued to persons who wish to travel to Brazil for cultural, study or training purposes, such as:
 

  • Scientists, professors, researchers or professionals taking part in conferences, seminars or congresses who will be receiving financial payment pro labore for their activities, and do not stay for more than 30 days (RN 69/2006/CNIg, Art. 5) - see #1
     
  • Scientists, professors, or researchers participating in a technical/scientific cooperation programme with a Brazilian institution of education or research, without a work contract (RN 82/2008/CNIg, Art. 2) - see #2
      
  • Amateur athletes under 21 years of age, taking part in unpaid training programs in Brazil (RN 86/2010/CNIg)  - see #3
     
  • Technicians, service providers, volunteers, specialists, scientists and researchers under the umbrella of an international cooperation programme with an official, private or non-governmental entity recognised by the Ministry of External Relations,  (RN 43/1999/CNIg) – see #4
     
  • Technicians travelling to Brazil in order to receive training in the operation/maintenance of machinery or equipment made in Brazil (RN 37/1998/CNIg) – see #5
     
  • Cultural exchange students (RN 49/2000/CNIg) – see #6
     
  • In exceptional circumstances, to receive medical treatment – see #7
     
  • Volunteers travelling to perform voluntary work to charitable or religious entities, without a work contract or employment relationship with the Brazilian-based entity-corporation – see #8
     

Visa Application Form

The Visa Application form must be filled out online at http://scedv.serpro.gov.br. Once filled out and submitted, your online application form will be valid for thirty (30) days. After this period your online form will no longer be valid and it will be necessary to complete a new one.

Instructions:

- Click “Visa Request”
- Read the instructions
- Fill out the form as accurately and completely as possible
- Click “Submit” to receive your application number and receipt
- Print the Visa Form Delivery Receipt (Recibo de Entrega de Requerimento)
- Attach one passport sized photo, according to the photo requirements (do not staple it to the form)
- Sign the receipt in the square at the bottom of the form
- Either photocopy the receipt or write down the application number (protocolo número) and keep in a safe place (can be used to check at which stage of processing your application is at; see Processing Time)
- EITHER post the duly completed and signed receipt to the Embassy of Brazil together with the required documentation (below) OR hand in the form in person to the Embassy during Consular opening hours, together with required ORIGINAL documentation (below).


Required Documents

1.Passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date of intended arrival in Brazil, with at least 4 (four) blank visa pages available. Please note that the amendment pages are not intended for visas;

2.Copy of the applicant's birth certificate;  

3.Proof of financial ability to pay for the stay in Brazil or letter from sponsor assuming responsibility for applicant's trip and stay in the country (all signatures must be notarised);  

4.Proof of residence within NZ for the past 12 months*, in the form of a phone bill, power bill, bank statement or a valid New Zealand Residency Visa;  

5.If the applicant is over 18 years of age: original Police Clearance Certificate, issued within the last 3 months, certifying absence of criminal records;  

6.Photocopy of round-trip ticket or a booked itinerary showing travel to and from Brazil, confirming purchase of the ticket and passenger’s name, itinerary, flight number and arrival-departure dates;  

7.Self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of the passport. The Consular Section recommends that applicants use mail/courier services that provide a tracking number.

* For non-New Zealand passports only. If the applicant cannot provide proof of residence in NZ, they must apply for their visa in person at the Consular Sector during the hours of public attendance. The passport does not have to be collected in person.

Minors under 18 years of age:

•  A copy of the minor’s birth certificate is required in all cases;
•  Minors not traveling with both parents/guardians must provide a notarized letter of consent signed by the non-accompanying parent(s)/guardian(s) authorizing the Consulate to issue a visa. If the minor will travel alone to Brazil both the mother and the father must sign the authorization and have their signatures notarized.
•  A certificate of vaccination against polio is required for children between ages of three months and six years. A notarized letter from the child's physician is required if the child cannot be inoculated.

 

Fees

To see the visa fees, please consult the Table of Consular Fees.

- An additional handling fee is incurred when the passport submitted for the issuance of a visa is not delivered by the applicant themselves or duly authorised immediate family member. The same fee also applies to applications submitted by postal and courier services. To see the handling fee, please consult the Table of Consular Fees.

- An additional fee applies to French passport holders who request student visas. For further details, please see the Table of Consular Fees.

- An additional non-refundable reciprocity fee per visa applies to British, Emirati and American passport holders. For further details, please see the Table of Consular Fees.

 

Processing Time

To see at what stage of processing your visa application is at, go to http://scedv.serpro.gov.br

  • Click “Check Visa”
  • Fill in the form (the application number (protocolo número) can be seen on the application receipt (Recibo de Entrega de Requerimento)\
  • Click “Search”

Applications received through the post: fifteen (15) working days

Applications received in person: ten (10) working days

N.B. If the online application form is not filled out by the applicant themselves, the processing time will be up to thirty (30) days.

 

Further Information

  • For certain passports, the bearer must enter Brazil within ninety (90) days from the date of issuance of the visa, or it will no longer be valid. To see the list of passports that require entry into Brazil within 90 days, please click here. 
  • Please note that the Consulate DOES NOT ISSUE SAME DAY VISAS, unless in case of a documented medical emergency.
  • Applications will only be accepted if all required documents are enclosed. Incomplete applications will be returned at the applicants' expense.
  • It is possible to alter your online visa application. Go to http://scedv.serpro.gov.br and click “Update Visa Request Form”. Fill out the form and click “Search”. You can then alter your application form. Click “Submit” and then follow original instructions as above.
  • Once your online visa application form has been submitted, it is possible to hand in the rest of the documentation and apply for the physical visa in any Brazilian Consular Representation. Your online form will be valid for thirty (30) days.
     

Additional Documentation:


1) For scientists, professors, researchers or professionals who be receiving financial payment pro labore:

a) Invitation letter to attend the conference, seminar or congress, declaring that the applicant will be receiving payment pro labore


2) For scientists, professors or researchers participating in a technical/scientific cooperation programme:

a) When the activities do not involve the collection of biological and/or mineral material, the applicant must present a copy of an authorisation from the Ministry of Science and Technology published in the Official Gazette of the Union, authorising the applicant’s participation and intended activities, as well as a Declaration of Commitment;
b) When the applicant is to undertake research that is sponsored by institutions such as CNPq, CAPES, FINEP, or the Fundações Estaduais de Amparo à Pesquisa, or will be receiving a scholarship from such an institution, the Embassy will accept an invitation letter from the Brazilian institution or agency that is to provide financial support, in place of the requirements of section A above;
c) When the activities do involve collection of biological and/or mineral material, the applicant must present a copy of the act of the Conselho de Gestão do Patrimônio Genético published in the Official Gazette of the Union, as well as a Declaration of Commitment;
d) When the activities involve indigenous areas, the applicant must present an authorisation from the National Foundation of the Indian;


3) For amateur athletes under 21 years of age:

a) Proof that the inviting entity in Brazil is in business, is functioning and satisfies the technical requirements, issued from the appropriate governmental organisation;
b) Proof of the entity’s registration with the Regional Council of Children and Young Persons’ Rights;
c) Proof of registration of the training programme with the Regional Council of Children and Young Persons’ Rights;
d) Contract between the athlete’s team/club and the Brazilian institution where the training will be taking place, that confirms a placing for the athlete; outlines the maintenance conditions and financial responsibilities; guarantees the applicant’s right according to legislation; guarantees medical, orthodontic and hospitalisation assistance; guarantees the applicant’s place in an educational institution and promising the applicants` attendance at the school; that promotes interaction with the young community and the co-living with a host family;
e) Notarised authorisation from both of the parents or legal guardians, if the applicant is under 18 years of age;
d) Original Police Clearance certificate issued in the last 90 days, legalised by the Consular Sector (see Legalisation), if the applicant is over 18 years of age;
e) Applicant’s birth certificate
 

4) For technicians, service providers, volunteers, specialists, scientists and researchers under the umbrella of an international cooperation programme:

a) Original copy of the cooperation Act, as well as a memorandum of understanding, additional protocol, or equivalent document that confirms the arrival of the applicant;
b) Proof of the applicant’s professional skills, and that they are consistent with the job to be performed in Brazil;
c) Declaration of Commitment that guarantees the repatriation of the applicant and their family, if necessary, once the visa expires;
d) Invitation letter, outlining the conditions of the trip, the activities to be performed, the intended period of stay;
e) Declaration that the applicant will not receive financial compensation by a Brazilian entity:

Please note: All volunteer visa applications must be sent to the Ministry of External Relations in Brazil for analysis. Once the Embassy receives an authorisation, the applicant may present their passport and visa fee.
 

5) For technicians obtaining technical training:

a) Letter from employer certifying that applicant will not receive salary or payment of any kind from a Brazilian entity;
b) Letter from the Brazilian company describing the nature of training to be provided;
c) Declaration attesting to the fact that the company will be held responsible for the applicant while in Brazil.


6) For cultural exchange students:

a) Original copy of the “Cadastro Nacional de Pessoas Jurídicas – CNPJ”;
b) Original copy of the act of establishment of the Brazilian institution;
c) Declaration from the exchange institution confirming that the applicant has a place in the programme;
d) A notarized letter from the school/institution in Brazil confirming the enrolment or acceptance of the student and informing time length of studies, disciplines, location (full address of the hosting institution) and name of its directors;
e) Proof of financial means to support their stay in Brazil
f) Notarised authorization from both parents or legal guardians (if applicant is under 18 years old);
g) Address/names/qualifications of responsible parties in Brazil (a notarized letter assuming total responsibility).
 

7) To receive medical treatment:

a) Medical recommendation to receive the treatment;
b) An estimate of the costs of the treatment;
c) Declaration from the doctor responsible and from the hospital/clinic confirming that the treatment will not be a cost to the Brazilian health system;
d) Proof that the applicant fulfils one of the following requirements:
 i) that the applicant is capable of paying for the treatment and sustaining themselves throughout their stay;
 ii) has valid health insurance, that offers cover for the treatment
 iii)

Please note: All medical treatment visa applications must be sent to the Ministry of External Relations in Brazil for analysis. Once the Embassy receives an authorisation, the applicant may present their passport and visa fee.
 

8) Applicants travelling to Brazil to perform voluntary work to charitable or religious entities, without a work contract or employment relationship with the Brazilian-based entity-corporation

a) A letter from the Brazilian entity, inviting applicant to perform volunteer work in the country;
b) An official document from the sponsoring entity in Brazil (such as statute, founding charter, etc.);
c) Act of the election of the board of directors;
d) Proof of the entity’s registration with the competent regulatory body (Conselho de Assistência Social Nacional, Estadual, do Distrito Federal ou Municipal) or certificate issued from the Ministry of Justice, according to the case;
e) A letter from the entity specifying the place and condition of the volunteer work to be performed by the applicant;
f) A letter from the Brazilian entity assuming responsibility for the maintenance of the applicant’s stay in Brazil as well as his repatriation to his/her country of origin upon the termination of his work/mission in Brazil;
g) A letter from the Brazilian entity assuming all financial responsibility for any medical or hospital costs and their dependents, for the duration of the applicant’s stay;
h) Original Police Clearance certificate issued in the last 90 days, legalised by the Consular Sector (see Legalisation)
i) Proof of professional qualification compatible with the work that will be performed by the applicant;
j) Proof that the inviting entity in Brazil is in business and functioning;
k) Copy of all the pages of the applicant’s passport that have observations.

Please note: Certain volunteer visa applications must be sent to the Ministry of External Relations in Brazil for analysis. Once the Embassy receives an authorisation, the applicant may present their passport and visa fee.
Visa applications for applicant who are travelling to participate in programmes of social assistance such as “Flying Hospital” or “Operation Smile” must receive an authorisation from the Federal or Regional Councils of the industry that is involved in the providing of the services (e.g. medicine, orthodontics).