Official, Diplomatic and Courtesy Visas
If needed, contact us by e-mail: visa.cgwashington@itamaraty.gov.br
Official, Diplomatic, and Courtesy Visas (VISOF/VIDIP/VICOR)
Official, diplomatic and courtesy visas may be requested in one of these ways:
1) By Appointment (no walk-ins)
Please visit https://ec-washington.itamaraty.gov.br/login (english available on upper right side). You will be requested to upload basic info for our review. After we check that (usually same day) you will receive an automatic e-mail address with instructions on setting your appointment time and date.
Appointments to drop off visa applications will be scheduled Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 12:00pm. The required documentation may be presented by the applicant, a third party, or a visa agency pre-approved by the Consulate.
If approved, visas will be ready for pick-up on 5 business days after droped off from 9:00am - 12:00 pm.
2) VISA APPLICATION USING AFFILIATED VISA SERVICE AGENCIES:
The couriers are allowed to drop off and pick up the visa applications from Monday to Friday, 9:00am-1pm without appointments.
We process visas submitted by visa service agencies within 5 business days.
The Consulate is not responsible for the services of visa agencies.
THE CONSULATE DOES NOT PROVIDE URGENT OR PRIORITY SERVICES, HENCE NO EXPEDITING FEES ARE CHARGED BY THIS CONSULATE.
Shop around and compare costs before choosing a firm to assist you, if you choose to apply using a visa service agency.
In order for you to use the services of a visa agency when applying for a visa with the Consulate General of Brazil in Washington,
you must be a resident of our jurisdiction.
Processing time indicated by the Consulate does not include the time the application is in possession of the travel or visa agency.
If your visa was submitted by a Travel Agent, the Consulate recognizes the Agent as your representative. Any issues or inquiries should be addressed through the Agency of your choice to the Consulate. Passports submitted by an agency will be retrieved exclusively by that agency.
OFFICIAL VISA (VISOF)
Dual citizens (brazilian and american) are not eligible for visas and should travel using a valid brazilian passport.
Official visas are issued to those on official missions to Brazil, either permanent or temporary, such as:
- Foreign authorities and administrative officials, representing a foreign Government recognized by the Brazilian Government, as well as their dependents;
- Foreign authorities and administrative officials, representing an International Organization recognized by the Brazilian Government, as well as their dependents;
- Students, trainees, officials or representatives of institutions of recognized economic, cultural or scientific relevance of international scope, such as:
- Scientific and cultural missions under an International Agreement;
- Technical assistance missions carried out under agreements that explicitly allow VISOF to technicians, experts and cooperators;
- Cooperation missions with Brazilian Government agencies;
- Military students to attend a course at the Brazilian Armed Forces Academies
DIPLOMATIC VISA (VIDIP)
Dual citizens (brazilian and american) are not eligible for visas and should travel using a valid brazilian passport.
Diplomatic visas are issued to those on diplomatic missions to Brazil, either permanent or temporary, such as:
- Foreign authorities and Government officials with diplomatic status, representing a foreign Government recognized by the Brazilian Government, as well as their dependents;
- Foreign authorities and officials with diplomatic status, representing an International Organization recognized by the Brazilian Government, as well as their dependents;
VISOF/VIDIP APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Passport (valid and signed with at least two blank Visa pages)
- Individuals traveling to Brazil on an official mission with an International Organization (e.g. World Bank, Pan-American Health Organization, Inter-American Development Bank, etc.) must present their laissez-passer. Otherwise, the Diplomatic Note (see below) must explicitly justify why the individual is applying with a passport of his or her nationality.
- Visa Application Form Receipt (printed and signed)
- Passport-style photo (2’’ x 2’’)
- Diplomatic Note/Note Verbale from the State Department Special Issuance Agency (for U.S. Government), the Diplomatic Mission, or the International Organization, containing the following information:
- Full name and profession/position/title of the applicant;
- Government department, agency and/or institution applicant will be representing;
- Passport type, number, and country of issue;
- Details of the applicant’s assignment/work in Brazil;
- Date of arrival and duration of stay in Brazil;
- Location the applicant will work in Brazil;
- Entity or person to be contacted in Brazil
COURTESY VISA (VICOR)
Courtesy visas typically require approval by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and can be issued to:
- Certain authorities not on an official/diplomatic mission to Brazil;
- Certain dependents and immediate family members who are not eligible for a dependence-based official or diplomatic visa;
- Domestic employees of foreign Missions in Brazil;
- Certain athletes or artists participating in cultural events with an official invitation from a Diplomatic Mission in Brazil
VICOR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Passport (valid and signed with at least two blank Visa pages)
- Visa Application Form Receipt (printed and signed)
- Passport-style photo (2’’ x 2’’)
- VICOR for Dependent/Family of VISOF/VIDIP Holders
- Diplomatic Note/Note Verbale from Diplomatic Mission or International Organization, including:
- Name and nationality of dependent;
- Passport type, number, country of issue and expiration date;
- Relationship of dependent to sponsor;
- Sponsor’s name, title, and duration of his/her mission in Brazil;
- Copy of sponsor’s Brazilian visa or ID card, if sponsor’s and dependent’s visas are not requested together
- VICOR for Domestic Employee of Foreign Missions in Brazil
- Diplomatic Note/Note Verbale from Diplomatic Mission, including:
- Name and nationality of employee;
- Passport type, number, country of issue and expiration date;
- Nature of employee’s work for employer/Mission;
- Employer’s name, title, and duration of his/her mission in Brazil;
- Copy of sponsor’s Brazilian visa or ID card, if employer’s and employee’s visas are not requested together
- Contract of Employment, including guarantees of:
- Salary greater than or equal to Brazilian minimum wage;
- Work hours not exceeding eight (8) per day and forty-four (44) per week;
- Overtime pay greater than or equal to 1.5 times employee’s basic hourly wage;
- Weekly time off of at least 24 consecutive hours, in addition to paid time off and holidays observed by foreign Mission;
- Thirty (30) days of paid vacation time per year
- Proof of health coverage for employee
- Guarantee of employee’s return to his or her home country upon termination of the employment contract.
- VICOR for Artists/Athletes Participating in Cultural Events
- Diplomatic Note/Note Verbale from Diplomatic Mission, including:
- Name and nationality of artist(s) or athlete(s);
- Passport type, number, country of issue and expiration date;
- Location and date of cultural event/presentation;
- Guarantee that the recipient(s) of VICOR will not receive payment of any kind from a Brazilian source;
- Guarantee of reciprocity in treatment of Brazilian artists or athletes in analogous cases
Additional Requirements for Minors
In addition to the requirements listed 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
- Copy must be notarized if applicant is unable to present the original at the time of application.
- Birth certificate must include a certified translation into Portuguese or English if it is in a language other than Portuguese, English, Spanish or French.
- Both parents’ signatures must be notarized, unless both parents sign the form in front of the Consular authority at the time of application.
- A certificate of notarial authority must be presented if the form is notarized outside of the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Brazil in Washington.
- The name on the parents photo IDs must match parents’ names on the child’s birth certificate. If either or both parents have changed their names since the issuance of the birth certificate, the parent(s) must present documentation showing proof of the name change (e.g. marriage certificate or court order).
- Signature(s) of Brazilian parent(s) must be notarized, unless the form is signed in front of the Consular authority at the time of application.
A visa will not be issued to any minor without consent from both parents, except if:
- One of the parents is deceased: in which case the death certificate (original, certified or notarized copy) must be submitted; or
- One of the parents is not listed on the birth certificate; or
- A court order or divorce decree grants not only full custody but exclusive parental rights to one of the parents or legal guardian(s). The original or notarized copy of the complete document must be presented along with the other requirements.