criminal records may also be checked by the federal police.

for any type of visa application, the passport has to be valid for a minimum of six months starting from the date the visa would be granted.

visa requirements, fees, documentation, and availability by country change frequently, so anyone interested in obtaining any type of visa should consult directly with the brazilian consulate in his or her country of residence.

there are several agencies that can help obtaining the visas - very conveniently, these agencies follow the entire process via mail, and allow getting visas without having to travel to a city where the Brazilian consulate is located.