Volunteer services (VITEM VIII)
a) General rules
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Based on Normative Resolution 15/2017 (Portuguese only).
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This type of visa may be issued for the purpose of carrying out volunteer services with public or private non-profit entities such as NGOs, charities, etc., or with organisations linked to foreign governments, without employment relationship and no remuneration of any kind.
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Please note: for volunteer services with duration of up to 90 days, the applicant must request a Visitor Visa (VIVIS). UK passport holders benefit from VIVIS exemption; therefore, they do not need to obtain a visa if the activity is due to last less than 90 days. Applicants of other nationalities must check the visa requirements table.
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After being lodged with the consulate, the applications are subject to analysis and approval by the Division of Immigration (DIM) of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thus, it is advisable to begin the process no less than an estimated 30 days before the intended date of departure.
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Foreign nationals who are already in Brazil can apply for residence permit for the purposes of carrying out volunteer services directly with the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (there is no need to return to the UK to get a VITEM VIII).
b) Length & extension of stay
Validity period: limit date / deadline for the first entry in Brazil to take place – counted from the date the visa has been issued.
Up to 1 year.
Duration of stay: period during which the individual is allowed to remain in Brazil – counted from the date of first entry in the country.
Up to 1 year.
Extension of stay: extensions are yet to be regulated – please consult the Federal Police in Brazil before the end of the first granted period.
c) Visa fees
Click here to check the visa fees and payment methods.
d) Lodging the application, processing times & visa collection
Click here to check the processing times and how to book an appointment and collect the visa, if approved.
e) Required documents
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Documentation
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Comments
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1
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Visa application form
(Click here to access) |
a) Completion instructions:
b) After the form is concluded:
Please note: documents in digital format must be printed. Documents shown on mobile device screens will not be accepted. |
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2
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Valid passport
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There should be at least two blank pages. Please note that pages reserved for amendments cannot be used for visa purposes.
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3
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One passport photo
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The photo must be recent, against a white background, in the local standard specifications (3.5 x 4.5 cm).
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4
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Police check
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In the UK, police checks are issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office or other accredited institutions.
Police checks are valid for up to 3 months from the date of issue. Please note: if the applicant has lived in multiple countries within the last 12 months, a police check from each country of residence must be provided. They must also be duly legalised (contain an apostille) by the competent authority in the issuing country and, if necessary, translated by a certified translator. |
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5
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Original full birth certificate*
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If British, present the Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth – full form.
In the absence of the full birth certificate, the applicant may submit another official document that contains the parents’ full names. Please note: if the document has been issued in a country other than the United Kingdom or the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man), click here to learn how to proceed. *Attention: submitting this document is intended to prevent any discrepancies between the information contained in the visa application and the birth certificate itself. As the birth certificate will have to be presented during the mandatory registration of the visa with the Federal Police in Brazil (see letter “f” below), any inconsistent data will preclude the conclusion of this process. Thus, the presentation of the birth certificate during the visa application stage abroad is not compulsory and will not prevent the visa from being issued but is highly recommended in order to avoid possible inconveniences. |
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6
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Copy of the return ticket
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One of the following documents must be submitted:
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7
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Invitation letter from the entity in Brazil
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The invitation letter must be printed on official letterhead of the entity and contain the following information:
a) The applicant's full personal details; b) Details of the entity and person in charge in Brazil (full name, telephone, e-mail etc.); c) Invitation for the provision of services as a volunteer. Please note: the signature on the invitation letter must be certified by a notary public (tabelião). |
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8
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Certified copy of the entity's articles of incorporation and association
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In Portuguese, ato constitutivo or estatuto social.
The entity must be duly registered with the competent Brazilian authority. |
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9
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Certified copy of the act of appointment of the current board of directors
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Self-explanatory.
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10
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Up-to-date proof of registration with the respective Social Welfare Council (Conselho de Assistência Social)
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If applicable. Otherwise, a certificate attesting the entity's qualification as a charitable organisation (Organização de Sociedade Civil de Interesse Público - Oscip), issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
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11
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Letter from the entity in Brazil containing details about place(s) and type of activity
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The document must be printed on official letterhead of the entity and contain the following information:
a) The applicant's full personal details; b) Purpose of the trip and intended length of stay – include detailed description of the activities to be carried out by the volunteer; c) Indication of the place(s) where the activities will be developed. Please note: the signature on the letter must be certified by a notary public (tabelião). |
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12
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Term of Commitment (financial)
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Declaration, signed by the entity, stating that it takes full responsibility for the volunteer’s maintenance in Brazil during the entire stay, and for his/her future return to the country of origin.
Please note: the signature on the undertaking must be certified by a notary public (tabelião). |
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13
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Term of Commitment (health)
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Declaration, signed by the entity, stating that it takes full responsibility for the volunteer’s medical care / hospital expenses in Brazil during the entire stay.
Please note: the signature on the undertaking must be certified by a notary public (tabelião). |
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14
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Proof of professional experience or qualification compatible with the activities to be developed
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Only required if the activities the volunteer will carry out demand specialised knowledge and experience (e.g., nursing, child / elderly care etc.).
Please note: the document must be legalised (get an Apostille) by the competent authority in the issuing country. Documents issued in the UK are legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - FCO. If no special qualification is required, the applicant must submit his/her curriculum vitae (this document does not have to be legalised). |
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15
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Evidence that the entity in Brazil is fully and regularly operational
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E.g.: certificate issued by the city council (prefeitura) in Brazil.
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f) Registration with the Federal Police
Holders of this type of visa must register with the Federal Police within 90 days from first entry in Brazil. Contact the Federal Police directly (click here) to learn how to register.
The consulate anticipates that, among other documents, the applicant will have to present the Visa Application Form (FPV) provided upon issue of the visa, as well as his/her original full birth certificate, containing the parents' full names (if British, Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth – full form).
Please note: the certificate must be legalised (get an apostille) by the competent authority in the issuing country. Documents issued in the UK are legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - FCO. After being legalised, the document will have to be translated into Portuguese by a sworn translator (tradutor juramentado) in Brazil.
g) Family reunion
Applicants willing to take their spouse / partner / children / other dependants, please click here to check their eligibility. Dependants may be granted a Family Reunion Visa (VITEM XI), bound to the primary VITEM VIII application, thus subject to the same conditions (e.g., same length of stay etc.). Family applications may be lodged jointly or after the primary applicant’s VITEM VIII has been issued.
If eligible, each applicant must submit the following documents:
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Applicant
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Documentation
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Spouse
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Partner
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Children (son / daughter of any age)
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Items 1, 2, 3, 4 (over 18s only) and 5 listed above. In this case, presenting the birth certificate is mandatory in order to attest to the family relationship / level of kinship with the primary applicant.
Please note: if the dependant is under 18 years old, both parents / legal guardians must sign the child’s Visa Request Form Receipt (RER) before the consular authority. |
Please note: the entity must also take full responsibility for the defendants' maintenance and medical care / hospital expenses in Brazil during their entire stay. Therefore, each dependant must also submit the two Terms of Commitment described in items 12 and 13 above.