Religious activities

Publicado em 13/03/2023 15h13 Atualizado em 08/08/2024 16h11

VITEM VII: Religious Activities

The VITEM VII visa may be granted to a priest, pastor, medium, monk, nun, missionary, or other type of religious worker or professional whose purpose in Brazil is to preach, evangelize, speak as a religious authority, care for others’ spiritual needs, manage or help manage a religious institution, church, mosque, terreiro, synagogue, religious site, spiritual center, etc.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Passport (valid and signed with at least two blank Visa pages)
Copy of proof of residence in the U.S. (visa or Green Card), for non-U.S. citizens
Water, energy or gas bill in applicant's name
Visa Application Form Receipt (printed and signed)
Passport photo (2’’x 2’’)
U.S. Postal Service Money Order payable to the Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta(see Visa Fees page). Visa fees are non-refundable.
Birth Certificate (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.

Notarized copy of “Act of Establishment” of the religious institution in Brazil
Notarized letter of invitation from the religious institution in Brazil, signed by its legal representative, assuring lodging and financial support for the intended party and members of his/her accompanying family, and assuming full responsibility for the departure of the clergyman and his/her family from Brazil
Notarized letter from the Church in the United States attesting eligibility of the applicant, stating length of stay, place and type of work that will be performed in Brazil
Notarized certificate of theological or academic religious education indicating assignments as clergyman
Curriculum vitae
Notarized and signed “statement of commitment” stating that the applicant will not engage in any activity within indigenous areas without the proper authorization from FUNAI (National Indian Foundation)

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

HOW TO APPLY

The documentation listed above may be submitted:

► In person:

Applicants may deliver the documentation in a closed/sealed envelope at the Consulate, Monday through Friday, between 1pm and 3pm. No documentation will be analyzed at the time of delivery.
Applicants are responsible for checking visa status here. No e-mail will be sent to inform when the visa is ready for pick-up.
Applicants may choose to pick up the visa in person at the Consulate, Monday through Friday, between 1pm and 3pm (no third parties allowed) or leave a self-addressed, pre-paid return envelope (Priority or Priority Express flat-rate only) from the U.S. Postal Service envelope.

► By mail to the following address:

Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta - Visa Section
3500 Lenox Rd NE, suite 800
One Alliance Center
Atlanta, GA 30326

Applicants must also include an additional self-addressed, pre-paid return envelope (Priority or Priority Express flat-rate only) from the U.S. Postal Service envelope. This envelope will be used to return the visa to the applicant, and may be folded in half to fit inside the original sending envelope.

Return envelopes with addresses outside the United States will not be accepted.

Visas submitted by mail are the sole responsibility of the applicant. The Consulate is not responsible for any delays or loss by the postal service, nor will it track or provide information of the whereabouts of documentation sent.

Questions? Send an e-mail to visa.atlanta@itamaraty.gov.br