BrazilStudy and training

Brazil researcher and visiting professor visa (VITEM I)

Research, teaching or academic extension visa (VITEM I)

In short

VITEM I is for researchers, scientists and visiting professors. Under Normative Resolution 27/2018 it covers people without an employment link to a Brazilian institution who stay more than 90 days for research, scientific cooperation, academic extension or teaching; under Resolution 24/2018 it covers those employed by a Brazilian institution, with prior approval from the Ministry of Justice. The visa must be used within one year and allows stays of up to two years. The fee depends on nationality.

Apply on Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Istambul – VITEM I checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay: Up to 2 years, according to the institution's commitment, scholarship or Ministry of Justice authorisation
Validity: First entry within 1 year of issue
Fee: Set by nationality, on the basis of reciprocity, and charged by the Brazilian consulate where you apply; check the fee table of the consulate responsible for your place of residence.
Work: RN 27: no paid work, but allowances, expenses and prizes may be received; RN 24: employment with the Brazilian institution
Where to apply: Brazilian consulate responsible for your residence; electronically via SCI for visa-exempt nationals since 1 September 2026

Two bases: RN 27 and RN 24

RN 27/2018 applies to researchers, scientists and visiting professors with no employment relationship with a Brazilian institution, for academic research, scientific cooperation, academic extension programmes and teaching, when the stay exceeds 90 days. They may not do paid work in Brazil but can receive per diems, compensation or travel expenses from the government, a Brazilian employer or a private entity, and prizes.

RN 24/2018 applies to researchers, scientists and visiting professors employed by a Brazilian institution, regardless of the length of stay. These applications need prior approval from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, requested in Brazil by the sponsoring institution. VITEM I does not cover study exchanges other than postdoctoral studies.

Documents

Applicants complete the online form with parents' full names exactly as on the birth certificate and provide a valid passport and a criminal record certificate, valid for 3 months. Those who lived in several countries in the last 12 months need a certificate from each, apostilled and translated if necessary. Supporting documents include the commitment of the host institution, the scholarship award or the Ministry of Justice authorisation.

Required documents

Identity

Valid passport

Money

Receipt of the consular fee

Study

Commitment of the Brazilian host institution or scholarship award

Other

Online visa application form
Criminal record certificate, valid 3 months (from each country of residence in the last 12 months)

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Work

Ministry of Justice prior approval (RN 24, employment with a Brazilian institution)

Applying

Nationals exempt from the visit visa apply electronically through the Integrated Consular System (SCI) since 1 September 2026, uploading the documents without handing in their passport. Researchers already in Brazil can request a residence authorisation for these purposes directly from the Ministry of Justice without leaving the country. Extensions of stay are subject to Ministry of Justice approval.

Decide whether RN 27 (no Brazilian employer) or RN 24 (employment) applies.
For RN 24, the Brazilian institution requests Ministry of Justice approval first.
Get the host commitment letter and your criminal record certificates.
Create the VITEM I request in SCI, upload documents and pay the consular fee.
Enter Brazil within one year and register with the Federal Police.

Short stays

If the stay does not exceed 90 days, a visit is enough, as long as there is no paid work in Brazil: no visa for visa-exempt nationals, the VIVIS for others.

Frequently asked questions

Can a visiting professor be paid on VITEM I?

Under RN 27, no salary, but allowances, expenses and prizes are allowed; if employed by a Brazilian institution, RN 24 applies.

How long can I stay?

Up to two years, depending on the institution's commitment, scholarship or Ministry authorisation.

Is a PhD sandwich programme covered?

No. Study exchanges, except postdoctoral studies, fall under the study visa rather than VITEM I.

Do I need VITEM I for a one-month research visit?

No. Stays of up to 90 days are visits: visa-free for visa-exempt nationals, on a VIVIS for others.

Official sources

Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Istambul – VITEM I · checked 23 October 2026
Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Istambul – Taxas de Visto · checked 25 October 2026
Itamaraty – Informações sobre vistos para estrangeiros viajarem ao Brasil · checked 25 October 2026

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.