Volunteer visa in Brazil: everything about VITEM VIII

The Volunteer Visa in Brazil is a visa intended for foreigners who wish to provide volunteer services in Brazilian non-profit organizations.

Thus, it allows foreigners to enter Brazil for the specific purpose of carrying out volunteer activities for a certain period of time, such as in charities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), social projects, among others. Read more below!

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VITEM VIII, Volunteer Visa in Brazil: What does it mean?

The VITEM VIII visa is for foreigners who wish to provide volunteer services to Brazilian non-profit organizations, such as:

• charitable institutions;
• non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
• social projects;
• among others.

This visa allows foreigners to enter Brazil for the specific purpose of carrying out volunteer activities for a certain period of time.

Like other visa categories, VITEM VIII has specific requirements such as:

• proof of acceptance by the host organization in Brazil;
• demonstration of sufficient financial resources to support oneself during the stay;
• presentation of criminal record certificates;
• among others.

What is the permitted stay for a volunteer visa in Brazil?

The maximum permitted stay for holders of volunteer visas in Brazil for volunteer activities is up to 1 year.

Who can obtain a Volunteer Visa in Brazil?

The Volunteer Visa in Brazil gives foreigners the opportunity to participate in volunteer programs in Brazilian non-profit organizations, such as charities, NGOs, social projects, and others.

Generally, the requirements for obtaining a Volunteer Visa in Brazil include:

• Minimum age: typically, candidates must be at least 18 years old. Some volunteer programs may have specific age requirements;
• Acceptance by a host organization: candidates must have an invitation letter or similar document issued by a Brazilian non-profit organization inviting them to participate in a volunteer program in Brazil;
• Specific purpose of the trip: the purpose of the trip must be clearly to participate in volunteer activities at a non-profit organization in Brazil;
• Financial resources: candidates must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Brazil, including a return ticket;
• Compliance with Brazilian laws: candidates must comply with Brazilian laws and regulations, including compliance with immigration rules and not engaging in paid activities during their stay in Brazil;
• Other requirements: other specific requirements may be required, such as proof of health insurance, criminal record certificates, a valid passport, among others.

What types of volunteer work qualify a foreigner for this type of visa?

In Brazil, the Volunteer Visa is intended for foreigners who wish to participate in volunteer programs in Brazilian non-profit organizations.

Eligibility for this type of visa may vary depending on the volunteer program and the host organization.

Generally, volunteer programs with activities of a:

• social;
• cultural;
• educational;
• environmental;
• health nature.

Some examples include volunteer work in hospitals, universities, with the elderly, people with disabilities, children, people in situations of social vulnerability, environmental protection, among others.

What are the requirements to obtain this type of visa?

Generally, common requirements for obtaining a Volunteer Visa in Brazil may include:

• Invitation letter or similar document: you must have an invitation letter or similar document issued by a Brazilian non-profit organization inviting you to participate in a volunteer program in Brazil. The invitation letter should typically contain information about the organization, the purpose of the volunteer work, the duration of the program, and other relevant information;
• Valid passport: you must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry into Brazil;
• Visa application form: you need to complete the Brazilian visa application form, available on the official website of the Brazilian
• Consulate or Embassy in the candidate’s country of origin;
• Financial resources: you must prove that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Brazil, including round-trip airfare, accommodation, food, and other personal expenses. Proof can be provided through bank statements, credit cards, and other documents;
• Medical examination: some volunteer programs may require a medical examination attesting to the candidate’s good health;
• Health insurance: Having valid health insurance that covers medical and hospital expenses during your stay in Brazil can be a good option;
• Compliance with Brazilian laws: You need to comply with Brazilian laws and regulations, including observing immigration rules, not engaging in paid activities during the volunteer period, and not having a criminal record;
• Other documents: Other documents may be required depending on the volunteer program and the host organization, such as certificates of relevant courses or skills, criminal record checks, among others.

How long after receiving the visa can I wait before traveling to Brazil?

The time to travel to Brazil after obtaining a Volunteer Visa can vary. After receiving the visa, you should check the expiration date, which is indicated on the visa itself.

Therefore, you must travel to Brazil and enter the country before the visa expires. So, the sooner you plan, the better to avoid any problems.

After entering Brazil with a Volunteer Visa, the visa holder can remain in the country for up to 90 consecutive days.

Can foreigners with a Volunteer Visa in Brazil work for pay?

No, foreigners with a Volunteer Visa in Brazil are not authorized to perform paid work in the country.

Therefore, the Volunteer Visa is only granted for the specific purpose of participating in volunteer activities. However, there is no permission to receive any type of remuneration in exchange for these activities.

Can foreigners with a Volunteer Visa study in Brazil?

Yes, foreigners with a Volunteer Visa in Brazil can study in the country, provided they comply with applicable regulations and the conditions of their visa.

The Volunteer Visa does not prevent studies in Brazil, as long as the main purpose of the stay remains volunteer work.

Holders of a Volunteer Visa can enroll in language courses, technical courses, undergraduate courses, postgraduate studies, master’s degrees, doctorates (PhD’s), and other educational programs regularly offered by educational institutions in Brazil.

However, you must respect the restrictions of the visa, which was granted for volunteer purposes, and ensure that volunteer work is the main activity during your stay in Brazil.

What can cause this visa to be denied?

A Volunteer Visa in Brazil can be denied for a number of reasons, such as:

• Failure to meet the requirements and criteria established by Brazilian consular authorities, such as submitting incorrect or incomplete documents, lack of proof of the required qualifications, inconsistencies in the information provided, among others;
• Having a criminal record or having been deported from other countries;
• Having been previously prevented from entering Brazil or having violated Brazilian immigration laws;
• Failure to provide adequate proof of the purpose of the volunteering and the entity or organization where the volunteering is intended to be carried out;
• Failure to prove sufficient financial resources to support oneself during the stay in Brazil, including resources for accommodation, food, health, and transportation;
• Presenting false or fraudulent information during the visa application process;
• Posing a risk to the security, public order or public health of Brazil;
• Failure to meet the health requirements for entry into Brazil, such as not presenting a mandatory vaccination certificate, when applicable;
• Do not pay consular fees.

What can go wrong in the visa application process?

Several aspects can go wrong in the Brazilian Volunteer Visa application process. Some examples include:

• Incorrect or incomplete documents: providing incorrect, incomplete, or poorly filled-out documents can lead to the rejection of the visa application. You must follow all instructions provided by the Brazilian consular authorities regarding the required documents. In addition to submitting the documents correctly and completely;
• Failure to meet eligibility requirements: the Brazilian Volunteer Visa has specific requirements, such as proof of the volunteer work to be performed, proof of sufficient financial resources, and absence of criminal records or immigration violations. Failure to meet these requirements may result in visa denial;
• Inconsistent or false information: providing inconsistent or false information during the visa application process, such as contradictory information in different documents, false information about the purpose of the volunteering or the entity or organization where the volunteering is intended to be carried out, can lead to the rejection of the visa application;
• Lack of proof of financial resources: Failure to provide adequate proof of financial resources to support oneself during one’s stay in Brazil, including accommodation, food, health, and transportation, may result in visa denial.

Other possibilities:

• Criminal record or immigration violations: having a criminal record, having been deported from other countries, or having violated Brazilian immigration laws may result in visa denial;
• Lack of proof of the purpose of volunteering: failing to provide adequate evidence of the purpose of volunteering and the entity or organization where the volunteering is intended may lead to the rejection of the visa application;
• Failure to meet deadlines and procedures: failing to meet the deadlines established by consular authorities or failing to correctly follow visa application procedures, such as inadequate completion of forms, non-payment of consular fees, among others, may result in visa denial.

What is the cost of this visa?

The cost of a Volunteer Visa in Brazil is generally R$100.00 (Brazilian Real). However, visa fees are determined based on the price of gold and international currencies.

Therefore, you should pay attention to any changes that may occur and verify the amount being charged at the Brazilian consulate or embassy in your country.

Where to apply for a visa?

The visa application for Brazil must be made at a Brazilian consular representation, such as a consulate or embassy in your country of origin.

The foreign volunteer must apply for the visa at the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy in their country of origin or residence.

You should contact the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy responsible for your domicile to obtain updated information on the specific visa application procedures, as well as the required documents, deadlines, and applicable fees.

Brazilian consular representations are located in various countries around the world and are responsible for issuing visas for entry into Brazil.

How far in advance of my trip do I need to apply for a visa?

The timeframe for applying for a visa can vary depending on the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy responsible for the jurisdiction where the foreign volunteer is located.

Generally, you should apply for a visa well in advance to allow adequate processing and review time by the consular authority, as well as to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances.

Therefore, processing time can vary, but on average it can take from a few weeks to a few months. This depends on the volume of applications, the complexity of the case, and specific consular procedures.

Regarding the Volunteer Visa in Brazil

In short, the Volunteer Visa in Brazil is a visa intended for foreigners who wish to provide volunteer services to Brazilian non-profit organizations. This allows them to enter Brazil for the specific purpose of carrying out volunteer activities for a maximum period of one year.

To obtain the visa, you must meet specific requirements, such as: proving acceptance by the host organization, demonstrating sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay, and presenting criminal background checks, among others.

Therefore, the requirements and procedures for obtaining the visa may vary and are subject to change. You should consult the Brazilian consular authorities or the Federal Police for updated information.

Common requirements for obtaining the visa include an invitation letter from the organization, a valid passport, a visa application form, financial resources, and a medical examination, when required.

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