Transfer to Brazil

Entering Brazil: visa

Journalists entering the country as newspaper, magazine, radio, television and foreign news agency correspondents must apply for a temporary visa, known as VITEM VI. This document is valid for a maximum of four years and renewable for an equal period. Journalists only have a right to this visa if they are paid by a foreign company.

Visa applications should be sent to the Consular Section of the Brazilian Embassy or the Brazilian Consulate with jurisdiction over the location where the correspondent will be staying. Find the contact at the Brazilian Consulates outside around the world.

When applying, you must submit the original and a copy of the following documents:

- The SCEDV form (Travel Document Issue Control System) filled out, printed and signed, with a service protocol (with a barcode)
- A passport valid for not less than six months
-  A recent 3x4 photo with a light background
- A letter from the foreign media organization, with a notarized signature, which identifies the employee, stating the place the correspondent will be working, the length of stay in Brazil, and confirmation that their remuneration shall be paid by a source abroad
- Birth or marriage certificate (depending on marital status)
- Criminal record clearance certificate
- Certificate of residence in the Consulate General’s jurisdiction (a statement from the Parish Council or a utility bill in your name)
- International vaccination certificate against yellow fever (taken 10 days prior to travel)
- Registration of identity in the country of origin

Visas are not granted on the first visit to the Consulate. Approval usually takes about two to three weeks and issued, when approved, upon payment of R$ 20. Once the visa is granted, the correspondent will have 30 days from the date of arrival in Brazil to request their National Registry of Foreigners (RNE) number from the Federal Police.

Staying in Brazil: the National Registry of Foreigners

The National Registry of Foreigners (RNE) is an identity document for people of other nationalities who live in Brazil. The Federal Police require certain documents in order to issue the RNE, namely:

- Federal Police Form filled out electronically
- Two recent 3x4 photos (color, white background, plain paper)
- A certified copy of used passport pages or identity document (for foreigners from Mercosur countries)
- Visa and original visa application form
- Proof of payment of the R$ 64.68 fee, which must be paid via the Federal Payment Form -GRU . The tax authority code requested on the form, which corresponds to the Foreigner Registration fee, is 140,082

After filling the electronic form out, the system can schedule a date and time for a meeting. You then have to go to the Federal Police with the required documents and Federal Payment Form (GRU).

For further information, contact the Federal Police Department at: estrangeiros@dpf.gov.br

Anyone entering the country without a visa, such as holders of diplomatic visas, officials, holders of courtesy visas or official service or diplomatic passports, should formally declare to the Foreign Ministry how long their work or stay in Brazil will last, if more than 90 days.

Sources:
Ministry of Justice
Federal Police