Volunteer services

VITEM VIII: Volunteer Services

The VITEM VIII visa may be granted to an individual who will perform volunteer work with an NGO or foreign government-sponsored organization in Brazil for more than 90 days.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Passport (valid and signed with at least two blank Visa pages)
• Proof of residence in the U.S. (visa or Green Card), for non-U.S. citizens
• Notarized copy of applicant's valid driver's license
• Visa Application Form Receipt (printed and signed)
• Passport photo (2’’x 2’’)
• U.S. Postal Service Money Order (see Visa Fees page)
• Birth Certificate (original and one copy) - if not born in the USA, Birth Certificate must be apostilled or legalized
• FBI Background Check (issued within the past 60 days)

Minors (younger than 18 years of age at time of application) are exempt from this requirement

• Pre-paid Priority or Priority Express Envelope from U.S. Postal Service (envelopes from other carriers, e.g. FedEx/UPS are accepted)
• Letter of invitation from the inviting institution in Brazil

The letter from the inviting institution/church/OSCIP/NGO must mention your exact role and activities during your time in Brazil. The letter must be signed by someone legally responsible for the institution/church/OSCIP/NGO, i.e. a member of the board of directors.

• Copy of notarized Articles of Incorporation (ato constitutivo) of inviting institution in Brazil
• Minutes of the meeting (notarized) from the election of the current board of directors of the inviting institution (Ato de nomeação, designação ou eleição da atual diretoria da entidade requerente)
• Affidavit from the Brazilian institution assuming full responsibility for the maintenance of the volunteer in Brazil and and his/her repatriation before his/her visa expires
• Affidavit of responsibility for applicant, stating institution’s commitment to provide for all of applicant’s needs while in Brazil, and to provide for applicant’s exit from the country before his or her visa expires.
• -Document stating the Brazilian institution is operating regularly.
• Certificado de Qualificação da instituição como Organização da Sociedade Civil de Interesse Público (OSCIP) issued by Ministério da Justiça

If the institution is not an OSCIP: Comprovante de inscrição no Conselho de Assistência Social
Churches are exempt from this requirement

► Additional documents may be requested at the discretion of the Consular Authority.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS

In addition to the visa application requirements stated above, applicants who are younger than 18 years of age at the time of application must present the following additional materials:

• Original birth certificate and one copy
• Authorization for Issuance of Brazilian Visa for a Minor, signed by both parents

Signatures must be notarized.

If only one parent is listed on birth certificate, only that parent’s signature is required.

If one parent has sole custody of applicant, a notarized copy of the court order awarding sole custody and exclusive parental rights must be presented.

If one parent is deceased, a death certificate must be presented.

• For children of Brazilian parent(s): Declaração de Não-Cidadania declaring that the applicant is not a Brazilian citizen, signed by Brazilian parent(s), if applicable.
• Copy of passports or other form of photo ID for both parents.

The name on the parent’s photo ID must match parent’s name on the child’s birth certificate. If said parent has changed his or her name since the issuance of the birth certificate, the parent must present documentation showing proof of the name change (e.g. marriage certificate or court order).