Consular services
Our role at the Consular Section is to provide assistance to Brazilian nationals, who are living or temporarily residing in New Zealand, and to issue visas and provide information for foreigners who are travelling to Brazil.
Above all, we assist Brazilian nationals who find themselves in situations of emergency, and make sure that they are up to date with their duties and obligations as citizens of Brazil.
Consular services and norms are determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brazil; by New Zealand legislation; and also by international conventions.
What the Consular Sector Can Do
* Issue visas for foreigners
* Authenticate copies of original Brazilian documents to be used in Brazil
*Authenticate the signatures of Brazilian nationals and bearers of a valid Permanent Residency Visa (RNE).
* Issue documents of notary acts (certificates of birth, death, and marriage; power of attorneys; declarations).
* Issue passports and emergency travel documents.
* Enlist Brazilian nationals in the Military Enrolment.
* Provide assistance to orphaned brazilian nationals.
* Provide assistance to Brazilians who are in distress or are imprisoned.
* In the case of imprisonment, ensure that treatment from local authorities is fair and just; also to contact legal representation and family members in Brazil, if desired.
* Assist Brazilian nationals in the case of natural disasters.
Most consular services require a consular fee, which is determined by criteria of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The fees are regulated by the Secretary Act of the Federal Revenue of Brazil and are collected to the National Treasury.
What the Consular Section Will Not Do
There are limits to what the Consular Section may do. This may be because there is no legal basis to act, or because the subject matter is outside of the functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It is important to be aware of what the Consular Section cannot do:
* Interfere in visa applications for Brazilians, or denials of entry into New Zealand.
* Provide financial assistance for medical, legal, or any other expenses, unless in the case of an emergency.
* Provide financial assistance for expenses regarding the burial, cremation, embalming, or transport of remains to Brazil.
* Make hotel reservations, make travel arrangements, rent vehicles, or store luggage.
* Interfere in matters of a private nature, such as consumer rights or familial issues.
* Issue Brazilian identity cards (State Social Security Secretaries), RNE cards (Federal Police Department) or Brazilian drivers licences (State DETRANs or DENATRAN). These documents may only be issued in Brazil.
* Issue declarations of good health.
* Issue police clearance certificates.
* Receive applications for positions in public offices.
*Represent Brazilian nationals in a New Zealand court Receive tax payments (such as IRPF).
*Legalise documents issued outside of the Embassy in Wellington’s jurisdiction.
*Effectuate name changes (except surname, by means of presentation of a Brazilian marriage certificate) or lodge divorce proceedings.
*Verify the content of documents, such as diploma certificates (the Consular Sector only recognizes signatures or authenticity of documents.