Visa FAQ

The visa policy in Brazil is related to the person’s nationality, by reciprocity. 

To check whether you need a visa to Brazil, due to your nationality, access "Nationalities that Require a Visa and Visa Exemptions" (this list is updated on a regular basis ).

Nationals of EU countries travelling to Brazil on tourism or business (engaging in business activities such as holding meetings, participating in corporate fairs and events, seeking commercial opportunities, signing contracts) purposes max. 90 days, no longer require a visa to enter the country.

Note that Finnish nationals (and nationals of all EU countries) travelling for work reasons need a temporary work visa.

Important: Duration of stay for EU nationals: The duration of stay for visa exempt nationals of EU (i.e. Finland) is of exact 90 days and cannot be extended in Brazil or abroad under no circumstances, due to reciprocity treatment.

The visa policy in Brazil is related to the person’s nationality, by reciprocity (not the country of the passport).

To check whether you need a visa to Brazil, due to your nationality, access "Nationalities that Require a Visa and Visa Exemptions" (this list is updated on a regular basis ).

The type of visa depends on the purpose of the applicant's trip to Brazil.

The most common visa types (by purpose of trip) are:

- Visitor Visa – VIVIS

- Student Visa - VITEM IV

- Temporary Work Visa - VITEM V

- Academic or Scientific Visa (Research, Teaching or Academic Extension) - VITEM I

- Digital Nomad Visa - VITEM XIV

- Visa for Family Reunion - VITEM XI

- Official Visa - VISOF / Diplomatic Visa – VIDIP

Other visa types, by purpose of trip are: health care visa; humanitarian visa; working-holiday visa, religious visa, voluntary work visa, investor visa; activities of economic, scientific, technological or cultural relevance; artistic or sports activities visa; foreign doctors (medical training).

Note that issuing or denying a visa is a sovereign act of Governments. It is a prerogative applied by every country and strengthened by international practice.

The type of visa - if granted - and the validity period of the visa are also a sovereign decision of the Brazilian Consular Authority in Finland.

A visa is not a right in itself, but an expectation to be admitted in the country.

The final decision of a persons admittance in Brazil is responsibility of the Brazilian Border Authority (Polícia Federal), upon entry.

The visa date of expiry and visa duration of stay are not the same thing.

The visa date of expiry is for how long you may use the visa for the first entry. Usually, visas are valid for 1 year (that means you may use your visa to enter Brazil anytime, up to the expiration date).

However, you may only stay in Brazil to the maximum duration of stay, counted from the first entry in Brazil. This duration of stay may be different from the validity of the visa.

The validity of temporary visas depends on the category of the visa and on Governmental agreements, if any, between Brazil and the country of the applicant's nationality.

Note that issuing or denying a visa is a sovereign act of Governments. It is a prerogative applied by every country and strengthened by international practice.

The type of visa - if granted - the visa date of expiry and the authoirzed stay are also a sovereign decision of the Brazilian Consular Authority in Finland.

The visa expiry date is written on the visa stamp.

The visa date of expiry and visa duration of stay are not the same thing.

The visa date of expiry is for how long you may use the visa for the first entry. Usually, visas are valid for 1 year (that means you may use your visa to enter Brazil anytime, up to the expiration date).

However, the foreign citizen may only stay in Brazil to the maximum duration of stay, counted from the first entry in Brazil. This duration of stay may be different from the validity of the visa.

The duration of stay of temporary visas depends on the category of the visa and on Governmental agreements, if any, between Brazil and the country of the applicant's nationality.

Note that issuing or denying a visa is a sovereign act of Governments. It is a prerogative applied by every country and strengthened by international practice.

The type of visa - if granted - the visa date of expiry and the authorized stay are also a sovereign decision of the Brazilian Consular Authority in Finland.

Note: EU nationals (i.e. nationals of Finland) may stay in Brazil up to 90 days for tourism or business. More information at "Visit Visa".

For other visa types or nationalities, check the duration of stay written on the visa stamp.

Visa exempt trips to Brazil (EU nationals, 90 days, on tourism or business except work) cannot be extended under no circumstances due to reciprocity.

Temporary visas (temporary work visa, temporary study visa) may be extended in Brazil by request to the Federal Police.

The required documents depend on the type of visa, as listed on our website.

The requirements listed on each visa type web page should not, in any way, be considered all inclusive. It is the responsibility of the applicant to find out what documents are needed and submit them on time.

No. Visa applications are done entirely by mail (Posti).

Alternatively, the application may be deposited in our mailbox (only from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 13:00 h).

Note: A return postal label is mandatory for all visa requests and must be presented by applicant and with each application. Check question 8.

Instructions to correctly buy the postal label are available at https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/embaixada-helsinque/servicos-consulares/agendamento-e-contatos-do-setor-consular/subposti/posti-postal-label

Important: Applications sent without the postal label will not be processed.

Terms and conditions for services by mail: "Services by Mail (Posti)".

Yes. A return postal label bought at the Posti website is mandatory for all visa requests and must be presented by applicant, each and every time an application is presented. 

The postal label is necessary for us to return your documents. It is not possible to pick them up in person. 

Instructions to correctly buy the postal label are available at https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/embaixada-helsinque/servicos-consulares/agendamento-e-contatos-do-setor-consular/subposti/posti-postal-label

Important: Applications sent without the postal label will not be processed.

Terms and conditions for services by mail: "Services by Mail (Posti)".

The Brazilian Consular Authority may require a consular interview, additional documents or additional information at any phase of the process in order to clarify circumstances of the trip and/or the identity of the applicant.

No. A return postal label bought at the Posti website is mandatory for all visa requests and must be presented by applicant, each and every time an application is presented.

The postal label is necessary for us to return your documents.  It is not possible to pick up your application or visa in person. 

Instructions to correctly buy the postal label are available at https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/embaixada-helsinque/servicos-consulares/agendamento-e-contatos-do-setor-consular/subposti/posti-postal-label

Important: Applications sent without the postal label will not be processed.   

Terms and conditions for services by mail: "Services by Mail (Posti)".

No. The Visa will be sent back to you by mail (Posti), using the postal label (registered or express mail only) you provided us together with the application.

A return postal label is mandatory for all visa requests and must be presented by applicant, each and every time an application is presented. 

The postal label is necessary for us to return your documents / visa. It is not possible to pick them up in person. 

Instructions to correctly buy the postal label are available at https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/embaixada-helsinque/servicos-consulares/agendamento-e-contatos-do-setor-consular/subposti/posti-postal-label

Important: Applications sent without the postal label will not be processed.

Terms and conditions for services by mail: "Services by Mail (Posti)".

No, we accept only original documents (including the passport). Copies, print versions, those sent as attachment in e-mails and electronic versions are not accepted.

By Brazilian Law, the passport must comply with two circumstances: 1) be valid on the date of entry AND 2) be valid for the whole duration of the stay (for Brazil there is no need for additional passport validity after the trip).

The passport must also have at least 2 unused (blank) pages. Note that pages reserved for amendments can not be used for visa purposes.

Yes, after printing it out, the form should be signed inside the designated box in blue or black ink. Do not exceed the borders.

We do not recommend to print photos at home as the photo must be compliant with ICAO standards, must be "developed" in photo paper and must be in high quality.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has stipulated certain mandatory specifications for all passports photos (for all countries). Please find them here.

The standard size for passport photographs in Finland ( 5x7 ) is accepted for Brazilian visas.

We strongly recommend to use a professional photographer's service.

Yes. Uploading the documents is mandatory. It is also mandatory to send us the same documents in originals (in paper). Note that copies in any form are not accepted (check question 14).

The birth certificate must receive an apostille (for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, for example, Finland) or must be legalized by a Brazilian Embassy in the country of origin (for countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention).

Whenever they are not originally written in English, they must also receive an official translation to English or Portuguese (More information at Sworn Translation).

The extract from criminal records must receive an apostille (for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, for example, Finland) or must be legalized by a Brazilian Embassy in the country of origin (for countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention).

Whenever they are not originally written in English, they must also receive an official translation to English or Portuguese (More information at Sworn Translation).

You may change information on your application at the same website used for filling out the form. Note that changes are no longer possible once you send the application to us by mail.

Check the current processing times for consular services at "Processing Times". Note that the processing time starts counting from the day we receive all the documentation and fees are paid. Imporant: we do not offer any "urgent" or "faster" services. Check question 23.

No. The Consular Section does not offer urgent, express or faster services of any kind and does not issue urgent documents, including visas.

Check the current processing times for consular services at "Processing Times".

Note that the processing time starts counting from the day we receive all the documentation and fees are paid.

Keep in mind when planning your requests for the desired services that during the school vacation period (June to August and December to January), there is an increase in demand for consular services and thus, service times may increase. 

Don't leave your request for the last minute. It is your responsability to plan ahead.

Note that you should only commit yourself to travel plans after a visa has been granted, as visas to Brazil may also be denied.

We do not offer any "urgent" or "faster" services. Check question 23.

Check the current processing times for consular services at "Processing Times".

Note that the processing time starts counting from the day we receive all the documentation and fees are paid.

Keep in mind when planning your requests for the desired services that during the school vacation period (June to August and December to January), there is an increase in demand for consular services and thus, service times may increase. 

Don't leave your request for the last minute. It is your responsability to plan ahead.

Note that you should only commit yourself to travel plans after a visa has been granted, as visas to Brazil may also be denied.

Applicants are strongly advised not to book their travel until after they receive their passport and a visa has be granted. Note that a visa may be denied, so do not commit yourself to travel plans.

The best way to avoid the unpleasant circumstance of having bought an airplane ticket only to find out that the visa was refused, or that you will need to go through the costly process of changing your tickets to another travel date, is to wait until after your visa arrives. Note: some types of visa require sending us proof of reservation / booking of flight tickets. In that case, do not leave your application to the last minute.

Visa application fees differ depending on the type of visa and nationality (reciprocity). Check our current fees at "Consular Fees". 

The Embassy only accepts bank transfers from bank accounts in Finland. The bank details for the deposit as well as the amount of the consular fee to be applied are only informed after receiving the complete documentation for the service. The Embassy does not accept cash or card payments, only bank transfers.

Yes. If you don’t have an account you can use another online bank account (relatives, friends, etc) as long as they are from banks in Finland. Remember to identify the transfer with the code provided by the Embassy.

No. As soon as payment is received we will process your application. However, the transfer must always be identified with an individual code referring to the service that we provide together with the bank information. Payments made without that identification will not be accounted for nor will be refunded.

Visa applications may be refused by lack of documents or for inconsistencies in the data provided (incomplete or mismatching information).

If your visa application has been refused for lack of documents, you may correct the application and send it to us again.

Note that the application has a validity date, so you may reapply with corrected documents until the expiration date printed on the application form.

Keep in mind that visas may be granted or denied by the Brazilian Consular Authority in Finland in Finland, according to Brazilian migratory law and visa regulations.

A visa shall be denied, among other reasons, to any foreign citizen who, when submitting his/her application, behaves in an aggressive, insulting or disrespectful way.

If your visa has been denied (“denegado”) by Brazilian Authorities, you may not apply again and a trip to Brazil will no longer be possible.

All temporary visa (VITEM) holders must mandatorily register themsleves with the Federal Police within 90 days from first entry. This information is also written on the visa itself. A registration is not needed for the visit visa (VIVIS).

Upon registration, the individual will have to present the following documents:

1) Original Visa Application Form (with stamp and signature of the Brazilian Consular Authority in Finland)

2) Extract from Population Information System (or Birth Certificate) containing both parents’ full names (the same presented to the Embassy with the visa application).

3) Extract from the Criminal Records (applicants over 18 years old) (the same presented to the Embassy with the visa application).

IMPORTANT: The extract from population / birth certificate (item 2) and the extract from criminal records (item 3) must receive an apostille (for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, for example, Finland) or legalized by a Brazilian Embassy (countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention) in the country of origin.

Information on the apostille and/or legalization is available at "Legalization of Documents and Hague Apostille Convention".

The Consular Section in Helsinki will make sure that those documents are ready to be presented in Brazil by requesting the necessary apostille/legalization during the visa application, according to our instructions on the specific visa websites.

Note that those documents must also be subsequently translated into Portuguese, in Brazil, by a sworn translator ("tradutor juramentado"). Instructions about sworn translation are available at "Sworn Translations".

It is strongly recommended that bearers of temporary visas to Brazil register themselves at the Tax Revenue Agency (Receita Federal) to acquire a Brazilian CPF number. 

The CPF is necessary for many daily activities in Brazil, for example opening a bank account, buying and activating telephone sim cards, renting appartments, signing contracts with service providers (internet, telephone, energy, water, gas), doing business in Brazil, etc.

The CPF for foreign citizens can  be requested at the Embassy, only in person (by appointment).

Instructions on how to proceed are available on our website at CPF - Foreign citizens resident in Finland.

The use of private visa companies or couriers is not mandatory.

Visa applications in our Embassy can be carried out entirely by the applicant him/herself, with no need for any intermediaries.

Information on visas, mandatory documents, procedures, processing times and consular fees is freely available on our official website and we provide support, throughout the whole process, for questions and doubts, quickly and at no cost, by e-mail.

 Important: Under no circumstances the Embassy of Brazil in Helsinki will favor, expedite or provide any services to visa companies in a different manner than the way we do to individual applicants.

All terms and conditions are the same for applicants and intermediaries.

The use of a private visa company is entirely the choice and full responsibility of the applicant.

For visa applications, the city of birth on the extract from population / birth certificate and on the extract from the criminal records must have the exact same spelling and language as that of the passport. Documents that show different spellings / languages or city of birth "abroad" are not accepted.

You should request a new birth certificate with the city of birth with the same language and spelling as that of the passport.

37.1. Documents issued in Brazil (those that are signed by Brazilian persons or companies / private schools / private universities / entities who invite the foreigner to Brazil, for example, acceptance letters from a Brazilian private university / Brazilian private School, invitation letter from the Brazilian private host company or invitation letter from a Brazilian individual host, etc.) are accepted ONLY:

a) in original;

b) in Portuguese;

c) with signature notarized in a Brazilian notary ("reconhecimento de firma em cartório").

Documents with signature that had not been notarized by a Brazilian notary (cartório) are not accepted.

You should plan ahead and request that the original letter is sent from your host institution or person to you, by mail (Posti, DHL, Fedex, UPS, etc), so that you can present the original to the Embasy, together with your application.

Alternatively, digital notarizations by Brazilian notaries ("cartórios") are accepted, as long as the document interiety and validity can be verified by the Embassy at the moment of the application.

Important: The responsability of the digital notarization verification system is not of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Embassy in Helsinki. Therefore, note that if the document with digital notarized signature cannot be checked and validated by the Embassy at the moment of the application, the visa will not be granted.

37.2. Documents issued by Brazilian public schools or Brazilian public universities (Official Federal or State Schools or Universities) must also be presented: 

a) in original; and

b) in Portuguese.

However, documents issued by Brazilian public schools or Brazilian public universities do not require notarization of signature in a Brazilian notary ("reconhecimento de firma em cartório").

Some visas require the applicant to prove sufficient funds to support his/her stay in Brazil. 

The following documents are accepted:

Last 3 months statements of bank account with sufficient saldo, last 3 months payment slips, last 3 months credit card statements with available limit, Kela or University certificate of funding.

a) The statements are accepted in English or Finnish. If not issued originally in English or Finnish, the document must receive an official translation to Portuguese or English.

b) The documents listed above may be combined to prove financial self-sufficiency during the whole trip.

c) For minors (less than 18 years of age), proof of sufficient funds from parent(s) / legal responsible.

Note: It is illegal for the holder of a student visa to work in Brazil.  

No. Visa applicants must allow the Embassy the full processing time.

If you have a visa interview at another Consulate or Embassy or a trip to another country and cannot wait for the full processing time of your visa application, DO NOT apply for a visa with us, as we cannot hurry up your process due to your private engagements.  

The Consular Section does not offer urgent, express or faster services of any kind and does not issue urgent or emergency documents, including visas. Check the current processing times for consular services at "Processing Times".

The need for a visa to Brazil is related to the person's nationality.

Having a Finnish residence permit and / or a residence permit or visa from another country does not exempt your from a Brazilian visa, when the Brazilian visa is needed due to your nationality.

Check the need for a Brazilian visa, due to your nationality and visa exemptions on our website "Nationalities that require a visa and visa exemptions"