Do I need to present translated documents for the Brazil Working Holiday?

Volare Editorial | March 26, 2026

When managing the Brazil Working Holiday Visa, one of the most critical administrative pillars is the validation of foreign documentation. The Brazilian State, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), establishes that every public document issued outside its territory must comply with two legalization processes to be recognized by consular authorities and the Federal Police.

The Requirement of Sworn Translation

Is it necessary to translate the documents? Yes, strictly. Brazil requires that official documents not originally written in Portuguese must have a Sworn Translation.

• Public Translator: The translation cannot be done by the interested party or by independent translators without official accreditation. It must be executed by a registered public translator (tradutor juramentado) whose signature is recognized by the competent authorities.

• Target Language: The only language accepted for the legal validity of documents in Brazilian immigration processes is Portuguese. Although some consulates may accept identity documents in Spanish or English for initial review, criminal records and certificates always require translation.

  
  

The Hague Apostille: An Indispensable Prerequisite

Before proceeding with any translation, the original document must have the Hague Apostille. This international seal is what grants legal validity to the document outside its country of origin.

1. International Validity: Without the apostille, the document lacks legal force in Brazil. The Consular Portal authorities will not accept translations of documents that have not been previously apostilled in the issuing country.

2. Documents that must be apostilled: Primarily the Criminal Record Certificate and, in cases where the consulate requires it to prove filiation, the Birth Certificate.

   
   

Specific Documents Requiring Translation

For the VITEM VI visa file to be approved, the following foreign documents must be presented following this scheme: Original Document + Apostille + Sworn Translation.

• Criminal Records: This is the most sensitive document. It must certify the absence of criminal records in recent years and be duly translated so that the consular officer can validate the applicant's suitability.

• Birth Certificate: Although not always required at the initial visa stage, it is fundamental for subsequent registration with the Federal Police in Brazil for the issuance of the CRNM. It is recommended to have it translated and apostilled from the source.

• Study Certificates: In the case of agreements that require academic levels (such as Australia), diplomas or university transcripts must also comply with this formality.

  
  

Notes on Document Logistics

It is important to note that the return ticket and bank statements to demonstrate solvency are usually accepted in their original formats if they are in Spanish or English, as they are logistical or private documents and not necessarily public State records. However, you should always check the specific policy of the consular office where the process is carried out.

More information

If you need contact with sworn translators or want to verify consular fee costs, we invite you to consult the full section on the Brazil Working Holiday Visa on our Volare website.