Volunteer services (VIVIS)

Publicado em 01/12/2022 09h47 Atualizado em 20/02/2024 11h55

a) General rules

Visitor Visas (VIVIS) are aimed at those travelling to Brazil for maximum stays of up to 90 days, without the intention to establish residence, for the purpose of carrying out volunteer services with non-profit entities or organisations (click here to check which other travel purposes it applies to).

Please note: the duration of the activities (start and end dates) must be informed in the letter provided by the Brazilian entity to which the applicant will be linked. If the activity is due to last more than 90 days, a Temporary Visa (VITEM VIII) must be requested.
Foreign nationals from countries with which Brazil holds visa exemption agreements benefit from Visitor Visa (VIVIS) waiver. Click here to check whether you require a VIVIS or not.
UK passport holders are exempt from VIVIS as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days per year (counted from the date of first entry, multiple entries permitted).
VIVIS holders are strictly forbidden to practise any paid work in Brazil, but are allowed to receive payments from the government, a Brazilian employer or a private entity for the purposes of daily allowances, artistic paychecks, compensation or travel expenses, as well as to receive cash prizes in sports, artistic or cultural competitions.

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. For some countries, by reciprocity, it can be 3, 5 or 10 years.

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 90 days. For some countries, by reciprocity, it can be of up to 30 or 60 days, as indicated in the visa requirements table.

Extension of stay:the stay may be extended for up to the same amount of time granted upon first entry (i.e., up to 90, 60 or 30 days, depending on the applicant's nationality and in accordance with the information specified in the letter provided by the Brazilian entity to which s/he will be linked), except in the cases specified in the visa requirements table.

Extensions are not automatic and must be requested at the Federal Police before the end of the first granted period. Based on the documentation and arguments presented, the Federal Police will analyse the necessity and viability of extending the stay.

Please note: holders of passports of the "Schengen area" member States (except Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland and Portugal), despite benefiting from VIVIS exemption, are only allowed to remain in Brazil for 90 days every 180 days. Thus, nationals of these countries cannot have the initial 90 days' stay extended. Holders of passports of other countries that benefit from visa waiver must follow the standard visa extension rules.

c) Visa fees

Click here for information regarding visa fee values and how to pay them.

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

Please note: the original documents listed below must be presented during the interview.

Documentation		Comments
1	Visa application form (Click here to access)	a) Completion instructions: The form must be filled in online. Enter complete information – please note that some fields are mandatory. Parents' names must be entered in full (name and surname), exactly as displayed in the applicant's birth certificate. Upload the digital copies of all documents listed below (items 2 to 7). Applications without the uploaded documents will not be accepted. Click on the "Complete Application" button to generate the Visa Request Form Receipt (RER). b) After the form is concluded: Print and sign the RER; affix your photo on the indicated field. If the applicant is under 18 years old, the RER must be signed by both parents. Gather all original documents listed below. They must be presented during your interview at the consulate, in addition to the RER. Please note: documents in digital format must be printed (including bank statements downloaded from Internet Banking platforms). Documents shown on mobile device screens will not be accepted.
2	Valid passport	There should be at least two blank pages. Please note that pages reserved for amendments cannot be used for visa purposes.
3	One passport photo	The photo must be recent, against a white background, in the local standard specifications (3.5 x 4.5 cm).
4	Copy of the return ticket	One of the following documents must be submitted: Booking confirmation (paid ticket or e-ticket) containing the applicant's name and complete travel information (itinerary, flight numbers, arrival / departure dates); or Booking reservation or letter from a travel agent containing the applicant's name and complete travel information.
5	Proof of sufficient financial means, compatible with the entire stay in Brazil	Presenting this document will only be required if the travel expenses are going to be covered by the applicant him/herself, and not by the Brazilian entity (see item 7). If applicable, at least one of the following documents must be submitted: Bank statements containing the account holder's name, current balance and transactions from the last 3 months (leading to the week that precedes the interview at the consulate); and/or International credit card statements containing the card holder's name, available credit limit and transactions from the last 3 months (leading to the week that precedes the interview at the consulate); and/or The last 3 payslips. * As a reference, the applicant must have approximately US$ 150.00 per day available to cover expenses.
6	Proof of regular immigration status in the UK	If applicable.
7	Original invitation letter from the Brazilian entity	The invitation letter must be printed on company letterhead and contain the following information: a) The applicant's full personal details, including job, position and function; b) Purpose of the trip (brief description of the activities) and intended length of stay; c) Details of the entity and person in charge in Brazil (full name, telephone, e-mail etc.); d) Declaration confirming that the non-profit entity or public / private organisation is fully functioning and in operation in Brazil; e) If applicable, declaration that all the applicant's travel expenses will be covered, during the entire stay in Brazil, by the Brazilian entity. In case the invitation letter contains this information, the applicant will not have to present personal proof of sufficient financial means (item 5 above). Please note: the signature on the invitation letter must be certified by a notary public (tabelião).