VITEM VII - Religious activities

Published in Aug 03, 2022 02:35 AM Updated in Oct 13, 2025 03:03 AM

Eligibility

Clergypersons and missionaries with theological or academic religious education who intend to establish temporary residence in Brazil for religious assistance purposes.
Eligible dependents of a VITEM VII visa holder or applicant may apply for a Temporary Visa XI - Family Reunion.

Terms and Conditions

Based on Normative Resolution No. 14/2017 of the National Immigration Council.
Temporary Visas are issued for up to 1 year and the residence period is determined by Brazil's Federal Police upon registration in Brazil (see below).
- Those granted with a residence permit for more than 1 year may continue to enter Brazil throughout their temporary residence period with a valid passport and a Brazilian National Migratory Registration Card - CRMN (previously, National Foreign Registration - RNE).
Holders of any Temporary Visa must register with the Federal Police in Brazil within 90 days from first arrival in the country. Applicants will receive a Visa Application Form from the Embassy upon the issuance of the visa, which must be presented for such registration.

Required Documents

Filled-out Online Visa Application Form
- Click "SEND" to receive your processing number and receipt;
- Print the receipt;
- Attach one PASSPORT SIZE color photograph over white background. Snapshots and computer pictures are not accepted;
- SIGN the receipt and deliver it to the Consular Section together with all other required documents (no walk-in basis; lodgement by mail or under appointment for in-person lodgement).

Passport with a minimum remaining validity of six months prior to its expiration date, and with at least 2 blank visa pages available for the visa stamp - excluding the pages reserved for Amendments and Endorsements.
Original Birth Certificate apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
Recent résumé;
Ordination certificate and/or diploma and school transcripts for complete undergraduate theological studies apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
Document offering proof that the foreign citizen has professional experience and/or qualifications that are compatible with the services to be performed in Brazil – diploma, accreditation, certificate apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
Certificate of non-criminal conviction issued within the past 90 days by the Australian Federal Police (National Police Certificate), for those above 18 years old, and for every country the applicant has lived for the past 5 years, apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
- If the certificate is not issued by the Australian Federal Police it must be certified by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin, except for those issued in countries signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, that must be certified with an apostille by local competent authorities.
- Please note: If the applicant has lived in multiple countries within the last 12 months, a police check from each country must be provided. They must also be duly certified by the respective Brazilian consular authority with jurisdiction over these countries, and translated by a sworn translator, if necessary.
Original Birth Certificate apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, clearly stating parents' full names.
Proof of ongoing residence within the consular jurisdiction (Australia: ACT, SA, VIC, WA; Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu) for the past 12 months (i.e., driver’s license, utility bill or voter's registration);
Proof of financial resources compatible with the duration of travel and accommodation plans;
Travel and Health insurance for the duration of stay;
Flight itinerary, clearly stating the expected arrival date in Brazil;
Notarized letter from the religious institution in Australia attesting the eligibility of the applicant, duration of stay, place, and type of work to be
performed in Brazil;
Working With Children Clearance Checks.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FROM THE BRAZILIAN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION. All signatures and documents must be notarised at a Brazilian Cartório and the originals provided.

Document from the religious entity located in Brazil inviting the foreign citizen to render religious services;
Document containing information on the address or addresses where the missionary will render his/her services;

Certified copy of the Charter and by-laws of the Brazilian religious or missionary organization (In Portuguese, “Ata de Constituição” ou "Estatuto Social);
Certified copy of document recognizing the legal authority of the Brazilian religious order’s Principal to act on behalf of the order (In Portuguese, “comprovante de poderes de representação legal de seu dirigente”).;
Financial affidavit drawn at a Cartório by the Brazilian religious or missionary organization, guaranteeing the maintenance of the applicant and his/her family in Brazil, and assuming full responsibility for the departure of the clergyperson and his/her family from Brazil (In Portuguese, “compromisso da entidade no Brasil de manutenção e saída do religioso chamado do território nacional”);
A declaration issued by the religious mission or organization in Brazil, signed by the legal representative of the organization, with the signature notarized by a "Cartório in Brazil", stating that the applicant will only carry out activities in Indigenous areas with the express authorization of the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples ("Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas - FUNAI").
Additional documentation may be requested at the consular authority’s discretion.

Visa Fees

Check here.

HOW TO PAY:

BY POST: Australian Post Money Order or Bank Cheque (personal/company cheques are not accepted), made out to EMBASSY OF BRAZIL.

NO Auspost (online service) delivered Money Order will be accepted.

IN PERSON: Money order as above or EFTPOS (debit or credit - VISA/MASTERCARD).

How to Apply

Visas are usually processed in 2 weeks. Please note that processing time may be extended in times of heavy workload or due to unforeseen circumstances.

A) Visa by post

Applicants should send all required documentation and payment of fee as stated above plus a self-addressed, pre-paid, registered envelope of suitable size to the Embassy of Brazil in Canberra (see address below). Updated information on post charges is available at Australia Post offices. DO NOT SEND CASH, either for fees or for postage. The Embassy of Brazil does not provide express or priority services.

B) Visa in Person (booking required)

Applicants should bring to the Embassy of Brazil in Canberra (see address below) all required documentation and the payment of fee as stated above. Once ready, you may pick it up in person or you may include a self-addressed, pre-paid, registered envelope of suitable size. DO NOT BRING CASH, either for fees or for postage. The processing times for Visa applications lodged in person will be the same as stated above. The Embassy of Brazil does not provide expedited or priority services (book an appointment).

ADDRESS:

EMBASSY OF BRAZIL

c/o Consular Section

19 FORSTER CRESCENT - YARRALUMLA, ACT 2600

VISA APPLICATIONS FOR APPLICANTS RESIDING IN FIJI, NAURU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, AND VANUATU

I - Documentation

In addition to the documentation listed in the general instructions (with the necessary modifications for each country), proof of legal immigration status in the country of residence must be submitted if the applicant is not a national of one of the respective countries.

II - Payment of Consular Fees

Before making the payment, applicants should contact the Embassy by email consular.canberra@itamaraty.gov.br to obtain the bank details for the transfer.

Payment must be made via international bank transfer, in the exact amount of the applicable fees.

III - Submission of the Application

After receiving the bank details, applicants must complete the payment and submit the visa application by international courier, in accordance with the instructions provided by the Embassy of Brazil in Canberra.

All required documents, along with proof of payment, must be included in the application package, duly signed and notarized where applicable, and sent to the address indicated on the Embassy’s website.

IV - Return of Passport

The return of the passport, whether the visa is approved or not, must be arranged via international courier, at the applicant’s expense and responsibility.

The Embassy will notify the applicant by email once the visa process has been completed.

Any arrangements with courier services are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

REMARKS

Incomplete applications will be returned at the applicant’s expense.
It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to obtain the required documentation.
Please note that visas are not a right, and 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 requirements are not all-inclusive. When processing a visa submission, the Embassy may request additional information/documentation.
A visa shall be denied to any foreign citizen who, when submitting his/her application, behaves in an aggressive, insulting or disrespectful way.
General conditions are subject to change without prior notice.

In case of doubts, please write to consular.camberra@itamaraty.gov.br