Marriage by Proxy in Brazil鈥攂est visa option?

Guest7676Guest05 November 2018 04:48:00

Hey everybody!
Without getting too lengthy with my backstory, my fianc茅 and I met in Des Moines, Iowa (my hometown), last year. After he moved back to Brazil upon his student visa expiring, I decided to follow him down to Brazil on an e-visa in March of this year.
The stay ended up flying by, so I used my 90 day extension immediately when I was able to, and used all 180 days allowed for tourists in a 1 year period.
Before I came back to the US in September, we knew that we wanted to make things official, and decided to get married.
Unfortunately, due to a two year travel restriction placed on Brazilians who鈥檝e been in the states on an exchange visa, he can鈥檛 come here, and I鈥檓 not able to go back until March.
We found the best way to marry is via proxy, we鈥檙e able to find someone to stand-in for me, and we鈥檒l be tying the knot in Brazil (while I鈥檓 home in the states), in this upcoming Wednesday!

Desperately missing my other half, I need to get back to him, and I鈥檓 navigating my visa options now that we鈥檒l be tying the knot legally.

I know there鈥檚 the VIPER Visa, and from the looks of it, takes about 4-8 weeks processing time. While I respect the system, this is a looooong wait for a newly married couple.

I鈥檓 considering the VITEM XI temporary visa for family reunion, but can鈥檛 find many specifics on it. Each Brazilian consulate in the US seems to state different processing times, with some of the offices stating a 5 business day turnaround.

Does anyone have more info on the VITEM XI visa, or possibly better insight to which route I should go? Any recommendations are greatly welcomed!

See also

Work permits for Brazil - Guide
The Working Holiday Visa for Brazil - Guide
General visa requirements for Brazil - Guide
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What is the Proxy Marriage process in Brazil - 11 Replies

stanza51 VIP Member

Member since 08 June 2015

stanza51VIP Member05 November 2018 08:15:04

283

Viper visas have been phased out.聽 You will have to apply for the VITEM XI under family reunion. Process is pretty simple and self explanatory.

Since you are based in Iowa, I believe you will have to visit the Brazilian consulate based in Chicago.

The required documentation can be found in this link

Just make sure to keep the required documents which you will need to brings with you to Brazil prepared.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask

abthree Brazil Expert

Member since 28 December 2017

abthreeBrazil Expert05 November 2018 09:50:10

6346

Chad
First, congratulations!

As Stanza51 has said, new VIPERs are not being issued since last year's reform of the immigration laws, and the VITEM XI is now your best option.聽
The Consulate for your region is Chicago.聽 When my husband and I got married last year, I got my visa there, and they were very good about meeting their posted turnaround times of 10 business days in person, 15 by mail or visa agent.聽 I filed my application on August 10, and picked my visa up August 14, good to go.
All Brazilian consulates experienced serious delays as the got used to the new laws, and some of the websites haven't caught up, but Chicago seems to be up to speed on both counts.
Good luck - you're going to love it here!

Guest7676 Guest

Guest7676Guest05 November 2018 13:08:56

Wow! Thanks for the quick replies!
When you were issued your VITEM XI last year, how long did they grant you status?
On the website, I noticed that they don鈥檛 give a specific length of stay for this visa, and was unsure if I鈥檇 be looking at something closer to 6 months or 2 years.

Thanks again for the advice!

abthree Brazil Expert

Member since 28 December 2017

abthreeBrazil Expert05 November 2018 13:46:12

6346

I got in under the wire and got one of the last VIPERs before they stopped issuing them, so I'm not sure about the VITEM XI term.聽 Old VITEMs were 90/180, like the current VIVIS, so chances are that VITEM XI is, also.
The only purpose of the VITEM XI is to get you into the country so that you can go to the Federal Police and apply for permanent residency.聽 You're supposed to do that within 30 days of arrival; once the Federal Police accept your documents and start processing them, you'll be in the RNM (Registro Nacional Migrat贸rio) system, and visa expirations will no longer apply to you.