Visa for athletes to work in Brazil temporarily

The Brazilian visa for athletes is a temporary and short-term authorization that allows foreign athletes to participate in sporting events in Brazil. In this article, you will find important information about this type of visa, including the maximum length of stay, the possibility of renewal, the application process, the necessary requirements, and how an international lawyer can assist in this process. Check it out!

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What is the visa for athletes?

The Brazilian visa for athletes is a type of temporary and short-term visa that authorizes foreign athletes to participate in sporting events in Brazil. This short duration is 1 year!

What is the maximum length of stay in Brazil with this visa?

The visa for athletes grants a residency period of up to one (1) year for those who are granted it. However, this period is not guaranteed for everyone who applies for it. Furthermore, if the sporting event you wish to participate in requires a very short stay in Brazil, it may be more advantageous to apply for a visitor visa.

After all, the visitor visa is simpler and allows a stay of up to 90 days in the country.

Can I renew the visa?

In principle, there is no Normative Resolution that states whether or not you can renew your visa. Therefore, if you need to stay longer in the country, it is advisable to seek a lawyer specializing in immigration and international law in Brazil. They will be able to develop the best strategy for your stay.

How long after leaving Brazil can I apply for this visa again?

There is no minimum time established for reapplying for a visa for athletes to work in Brazil after leaving the country.

However, the responsible agency evaluates each visa application individually, and a previously granted visa does not guarantee the granting of a new visa for a new application.

Therefore, you must follow all the requirements established by the Brazilian consulate to increase the chances of approval of the application. And in both applications, provide complete documents.

What are the visa requirements for athletes?

In general, the main requirements are:

• Completed and signed visa application form;
• Valid passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry into Brazil;
• Recent photograph (3×4 cm) with a white background;
• Proof of residence in the applicant’s country of origin;
• Invitation or contract with the company promoting the event in Brazil, which must include information about the event, the activity to be performed, the date and location of the event, as well as information about remuneration, if any;
• Proof of financial means to cover your expenses while in Brazil;
• Proof of ties to the country of origin, such as an employment contract, enrollment in an educational institution, or ownership of property;
• Criminal record check;
• Other documents required by Normative Resolution No. 01/2017 of the National Immigration Council.

Where and how to apply?

First, the Ministry of Labor issues the visa, granting prior residence authorization for the performance of sports activities, in accordance with Article 46 of Decree No. 9,199, of 2017. Only after the authorization is issued should the applicant go to the Consulate General.

The process for obtaining a visa for athletes includes submitting documents such as:

• Valid passport;
• Invitation letter from the institution responsible for the activity to be carried out in Brazil;
• Travel itinerary;
• Proof of financial means;
• Among others.

In some cases, you may also need to schedule an interview at the Consulate. The Consulate or the lawyer assisting with your application will inform you about this after the application process begins.

How long does the process take until I receive a response from the Consulate or Embassy?

The time can vary depending on the country and the specific Consulate or Embassy, ​​as well as the number of applications they are processing at that moment.

Generally, the process can take from a few weeks to several months to complete.

Therefore, applicants should start the application process well in advance to ensure they have enough time to receive a response from the Consulate or Embassy before their planned travel date.

Furthermore, in some cases, the Consulate or Embassy may request that you provide additional documentation or conduct additional interviews with consular or immigration authorities. These additional requirements may further increase the processing time for your visa application. Therefore, don’t leave it to the last minute!

What can go wrong when applying for a visa for athletes?

There are numerous situations that can go wrong during the visa application process for athletes. Some of them include:

• Incomplete or inadequate documentation: If the documentation provided by the applicant is incomplete or inadequate, this may result in the rejection of the visa application;
• Problems with passport validity: The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least six months after the expected date of entry into Brazil. If the passport does not meet this requirement, the visa may be denied;
• Criminal record: If the applicant has a criminal record or any other travel restriction, this may prevent the issuance of the visa;
• Reasons for travel inconsistent with the activities permitted by the visa: This specific type of visa is issued for athletes to work in Brazil. If the applicant does not present a plausible justification for the trip or if the purpose of the trip is not compatible with the requested visa, the authorities may deny the application;
• Issues with the invitation letter: The invitation letter is an important document that must be provided by the institution responsible for the activity to be carried out in Brazil. If there are difficulties with this letter, such as inaccurate information or lack of details, this may result in the rejection of the application.

How can I prevent problems?

To prevent problems when applying for a visa for athletes to work in Brazil, you should follow these recommendations:

• Check the Brazilian visa requirements: each country has specific requirements for issuing visas for athletes to work in Brazil. Check these requirements in advance and make sure you have all the necessary documentation;
• Plan ahead: start planning your trip well in advance to have time to obtain all the necessary documents and resolve any potential problems;
• Make sure you have all the documents in order: check that you have all the necessary documents, including passport, qualification certificates, employment contracts, and official invitations.

How can an international lawyer assist me?

An international lawyer can assist in obtaining a Brazilian visa for athletes to work in Brazil. Therefore, some ways an international lawyer can assist you include:

• Checking visa requirements: an international lawyer can help you understand the requirements for a Brazilian visa for athletes to work in Brazil, including the necessary documentation and processing times;
• Preparing documentation: assistance in preparing the necessary documentation for the visa application, including official invitations, proof of sporting activities, among others;
• Monitoring the application process: the international lawyer can monitor the visa application process, ensuring that all steps are completed and that the documentation is submitted correctly and on time;
• Resolving concerns: if issues arise with the visa application, such as delays or rejections, the international lawyer can assist in resolving these difficulties, filing appeals and contacting the responsible authorities.

The Visa for Athletes in Brazil

In conclusion, the Brazilian visa for athletes is a temporary, short-term authorization that allows foreign athletes to participate in sporting events in Brazil. Furthermore, the maximum stay with this visa is up to one year, but there is no regulatory resolution specifying whether it is possible to renew the visa.

After leaving Brazil, you can reapply for the visa without a minimum waiting period; however, it is important to note that each application is evaluated individually. Therefore, you need to follow the requirements established by the Brazilian Consulate to increase the chances of approval, which include:

• Filling out the application form;
• Having a valid passport;
• Providing proof of residence;
• Ties to the country of origin;
• Criminal background check;
• And other documents specified in Normative Resolution No. 01/2017.

In addition, the Ministry of Labor issues the visa, and the application process requires the submission of documents such as a passport, invitation letter, travel itinerary, and financial statements. Processing time can vary, taking from weeks to months, so it’s advisable to start the process well in advance.

Some problems that may occur during the process include inadequate documentation, insufficient passport validity, criminal record, travel justification incompatible with the requested visa, and problems with the invitation letter.

If you would like legal assistance from our team, please send us a message on WhatsApp.