EDUCATION / RESEARCH VISA

TEMPORARY VISA - VITEM I

Who is eligible:

  • scientists, professors or researchers, participating in scientific or technological studies, associated with Brazilian institutions of academic studies or research and development, for a maximum stay of two years, without payment from a Brazilian source or to perform a "pro-labore" work within a ninety days period;
  • exchange students;
  • students for practical course as part of professional or university studies;
  • trainees in the operation or maintenance of equipments or machines made in Brazil;
  • technicians, volunteers, specialists, scientists, researchers who will work for government, private or non-governmental institutions, under an international cooperation agreement;
  • amateur athletes under 21 years of age, for intensive practice;
  • those who are traveling for medical treatment;
  • Volunteers and social workers; without employment contract and payment engaging in community work or rendering service to a religious institution.

In order to qualify for a Vitem I, the applicant must not receive payment from a Brazilian source except in the case of scientists, professors or researchers in a "pro-labore" work within a ninety days period. A traveling expense allowance can be accepted.
Important: Visitors should register at DPF's Office (the Federal Police) up to 30(thirty) days after arrival.

General Requirements:

  • two Visa Application Forms, filled out, dated and signed by the applicant (parents must sign for minors under 18 years old);
    (click here to download the application form now)
  • passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date of intended arrival in Brazil, with at least two blank pages available;
  • the original and a copy of the Japan Alien Resident Card ( Gaikokujin Torouku-Shomei )  for foreign residents in Japan and/or a valid visa or document to return from Brazil to Japan or to another country;
  • two recent 5 x 7cm photos, front view, white background. Snapshots or computer pictures are not accepted;
  • original Birth Certificate. The Consulate will then make a true copy. A fee of ¥2.800 fee will be charged;
  • proof of financial capability during stay in Brazil (i.e. certified copy of bank or credit card statement, copy of savings certificate, letter from the employer or institution that granted a scholarship, etc). The Consulate will then legalize the signature of the notary public. A fee of ¥2.800 will be charged;
  • affidavit from the sponsoring Brazilian company or institution containing specific information on the activity to be performed, location and duration of the engagement. The letter must be legalized by a notary public in Brazil;
  • police clearance issued within the last 3 months, certifying absence of criminal record. Police clearance must then be legalized by the Consulate. A fee of ¥2.800 will be charged;
  • proof of residence within the consular jurisdiction for the past 12 months issued by a local authority and duly notarized.

Additional Requirements:

a) Minors under 18 years of age:

  • original birth certificate. The Consulate will then make a true copy. A fee of ¥700 will be charged;
  • a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents. The Consulate will legalize the signature of the notary public. A fee of ¥2.800 will be charged.

b) Exchange students:

  • copy of the act of establishment of the Brazilian institution;
  • copy of the "Cadastro Nacional de Pessoas Jurídicas -CNPJ";
  • a letter from the Brazilian institution stating the discipline, location, and duration of studies, the full address of the hosting institution, and supplying the names of its directors;
  • a letter from school, college or university in Brazil confirming the enrollment or acceptance of the student and informing time length of studies.

A notary public in Brazil must legalize all documents.

c) Members of social and professional assistance missions:

Authorization, legalized by a notary public in Brazil, of the Brazilian National or Regional Professional Council related to the services that will be rendered.

d) Students enrolling in technical courses:

  • copy of the contract or agreement between the student and the Brazilian institution, notarized in Brazil. The institution must be an international cooperation organization, a governmental institution in Brazil or a regularly registered student interchange institution;
  • affidavit of the institution which granted the scholarship, dully notarized in Brazil or in Japan. In this case, the Consulate will legalize the signature of the notary public. A fee of ¥2.800 fee will be charged.

e) Athletes

  • copy of the agreement between the athlete’s team/club and the Brazilian institution where the training will take place. The agreement, which can be up to twelve months, must state the availability of: a) place for training, b) room and board, as well as any additional living expenses. Brazilian documents must be notarized in Brazil. Japanese documents must be certified by a notary public and legalized by the Consulate. A fee of ¥2.800 will be charged;
  • original birth certificate. The Consulate will then make a true copy. A fee of ¥700 will be charged;

f) Trainees on the operation or maintenance of equipment or machines made in Brazil:

affidavit of the Brazilian company with specific information on the activities to be performed, location and duration, and declaring that the trainee will not receive any payment from a Brazilian source.

g) Technicians, volunteers, specialists, scientists, researchers who will work for government, private or non-governmental institutions, under an international cooperation agreement:

  • copy of both the original cooperation agreement and the memorandum of understanding, additional protocol or equivalent, in which the applicant is named;
  • educational or professional documents stating the professional qualifications of the applicant;
  • affidavit from the applicant's employer assuming full responsibility for his/her return and that of his/her family at end of stay or at any time following the termination of the agreement.

All Brazilian documents must be notarized in Brazil. Japanese documents must be certified by a notary public and legalized by the Consulate. A fee of ¥2.800 will be charged.

h) Applicants traveling for medical treatment:

  • affidavit by the patient's medical doctor recommending the treatment notarized by a notary public and legalized by the Consulate. A fee of ¥2.800 will be charged;
  • presentation of one of the following documents:

    • proof of financial capability for the treatment and maintenance during stay in Brazil;

    • copy of a Brazilian or international health insurance valid for the treatment in Brazil.

i)Volunteers and social workers:

  • Volunteers and social workers without employment contract and payment, engaging in community work or redering service to a religious institution;
  • affidavit from the Brazilian institution, legalized by a notary public in Brazil, with:

    • invitation to render service as a volunteer;

    • specific information on the activity to be performed, location and duration of the engagement;

    • declaration that: 1) the institution in Brazil assumes full responsibility for the maintenance of the applicant, and 2) his/her return on expiration of length of stay or 3) at any time following the termination of the mission and 4) that the applicant will not be paid by any source in Brazil.
  • Brazilian or international health insurance valid in Brazil. If the original is presented, a copy will be made and legalized at the Consulate for a ¥700 fee. A copy that is brought by the applicant must be notarized by a notary public and then legalized by the Consulate for a ¥2.800 fee;
  • copy of the following documents of the institution in Brazil, duly notarized:

    • bylaws of the institution (“estatuto social”);

    • act in which the institution’s directors were nominated;

    • proof of inscription in the national or local “Conselho de Assistência Social”;

    • proof that the institution is still established;

    • act of indication of the applicant to the intended position, with powers of representation, registered at the Brazilian proper governmental institution.

All Brazilian documents must be notarized in Brazil. Japanese documents must be certified by a notary public and legalized by the Consulate. A fee of ¥2.800 will be charged.
In all cases, the Consulate may request additional information or documentation, as deemed necessary.

Consular fees:

  • ¥8.400 for the visa. 
  • in addition to the amounts indicated above, a processing fee of ¥14.000 will be charged to all US passport holders, in reciprocity for an identical fee paid by Brazilian citizens who apply for visas to the US;
  • an additional absent fee of ¥1.400 will be charged for any application not submitted in person by the applicant or by his/her immediate family. 
  • the legalization fees indicated in all cases above are additional to the visa fee, the absent fee and the processing fee.

Note that:

• The Consulate General of Brazil in Tokyo does not process same day visas (no rush fee!). The processing time is up to 07 (seven) working days. Please plan accordingly!

• THE CONSULATE DOES NOT HANDLE VISAS BY MAIL!

• How to apply and pick-up: In person(visa applicant) or by a visa agency only, click here for details.

• visas are good for multiple entries and must be used within 90 days from date of issue;

• if stay exceeds 90 days, registration with the Federal Police within 30 days of first arrival in Brazil is mandatory. Together with passport, applicant must submit one of the original visa application forms which will be returned once the visa is issued;

• check vaccination for information about yellow fever.

• the legalization of documents issued in the United States must be done by a Notary Public within the jurisdiction of the Consulate.

Updated in January 2008