Mission visa by country
Every country’s visa is different. Here’s what a visa packet may ask for, with official links.
Quick answer
Every country’s mission visa is different. Church Travel emails the visa packet and works with each government, while the missionary and family send the passport, photos, background check and signatures by the date asked.
Who does what
- Church TravelEmails the visa packet and works with each government.
- You & your missionaryPassport, photos, background check and signatures, sent by the date asked.
- The missionHelps with the local ID card after arrival.
Your call packet may say visa instructions come by email to the missionary.org address within about one to two weeks.
Pick a country
PeruResidente Religioso · religious resident status
Who handles it · Quién
- Missionary & parentsChecks, photos, notarized letter, apostilles; mail the originals.
- Church TravelFiles the visa with Peru.
- MissionUsually helps with the ID card after arrival.
What your visa packet may ask for
- GatherChecks, photos, copies and the signed passport.
- NotarizeSign the power of attorney before a notary.
- ApostilleFrom the Secretary of State, marked for Peru.
- MailPassport and originals together, tracked.
Watch the Travel Portal for visa updates. It’s separate from the Missionary Portal.
- A signed passport, valid 6+ months past the release date
- An FBI background check (fingerprint-based)
- A fingerprint-based statewide background check
- A power of attorney letter (Carta Poder), signed before a notary
- Apostilles, a visa form, photos and ID copies
Watch-outs · Cuidado
- Names must match the passport exactly, middle name included.
- Signatures should look just like the passport signature.
- No white-out, cross-outs or removed staples.
- Apostilles must say they’re for use in Peru.
- A city or county police letter isn’t a statewide check.
Steps & timing · Plazos
After arrival · Al llegar
Confirm in your visa packet · Confirmar
- Which documents your packet lists
- How and where to mail the originals
- Whether your state has extra steps for its check
- Who apostilles the FBI report
Called here? See all missions in Peru.
ChileResidencia Temporal – religiosos · temporary residence for religious workers
Who handles it · Quién
- MissionaryCreates the immigration account; sends the files by email.
- Church visa teamApplies for the visa.
- Mission officeFinishes the visa and ID card in Chile.
What your visa packet may ask for
- GatherFBI report, signed passport and a phone photo.
- AccountCreate it on Chile’s immigration site. Don’t apply.
- ScanPassport as a PDF, plus the FBI report file.
- EmailAttachments, from the missionary.org address.
All digital: the Church visa team applies for you after the account is set up.
- A signed passport, valid 6+ months past the release date
- An FBI background check, sent as the original digital file
- A color phone photo on white, not a passport photo
- An online account on Chile’s immigration site
Watch-outs · Cuidado
- Don’t start the visa application in that account, even if Chile emails prompt you.
- Names must match the passport exactly, middle name included.
- Use the missionary.org email, not a personal one.
- This kind of packet may have no notary, apostille or mailing.
- Missionaries may enter Chile as a tourist and finish the visa there.
Steps & timing · Plazos
After arrival · Al llegar
Confirm in your visa packet · Confirmar
- Which documents your packet lists
- When to create the immigration account
- How to name and send the files
- How the mission office finishes the visa
Called here? See all missions in Chile.
MexicoResidente Temporal – ministro de culto / asociado religioso · temporary resident, religious worker
Who handles it · Quién
- MissionaryGoes to an in-person consulate appointment.
- ChurchProvides the invitation letter and Carta de Anuencia.
- After arrivalID card at an INM office; who helps: confirm in your call packet.
We haven’t seen a visa packet for this country yet. Treat this as background and confirm in your visa packet.
Government pages may ask for
- A valid passport and a copy of its main page
- A color passport photo, white background, no glasses
- A signed invitation letter (the Church provides this)
- A government approval letter, Carta de Anuencia (the Church provides this)
Watch-outs · Cuidado
- Each person needs their own in-person appointment at a Mexican consulate.
- Appointments are booked at citas.sre.gob.mx.
Steps & timing · Plazos
After arrival · Al llegar
Confirm in your visa packet · Confirmar
- Which consulate and appointment date
- Whether it’s done before or during the MTC
- Which documents you bring to the appointment
Called here? See all missions in Mexico.
BrazilVITEM VII · religious activity visa
Who handles it · Quem
- Missionary & parentsFBI check, birth certificate, apostilles, proof of address.
- Church in BrazilProvides the Church letter.
- After arrivalFederal Police registration within 90 days; who helps: confirm in your call packet.
We haven’t seen a visa packet for this country yet. Treat this as background and confirm in your visa packet.
Government pages may ask for
- An FBI background check issued within 90 days
- A birth certificate showing both parents’ full names
- Proof of where they lived for the last 12 months
- A 2x2 inch photo
- A letter from the Church in Brazil (the Church provides this)
Watch-outs · Atenção
- Since Sept 30, 2026, U.S. applicants apply online and get the visa by email, per the Chicago consulate.
- The FBI check and birth certificate need apostilles to register in Brazil.
Steps & timing · Prazos
After arrival · Na chegada
Confirm in your visa packet · Confirmar
- Which consulate serves your state
- Who orders the FBI check, and when
- Whether originals are mailed
Called here? See all missions in Brazil.
Philippines9(g) Pre-arranged Employee, non-commercial · the missionary category
Who handles it
- MissionaryPassport and checklist documents.
- Who filesNot shown on the government page; confirm in your call packet.
- In the PhilippinesHearing, fingerprints and ID card; the mission usually helps.
We haven’t seen a visa packet for this country yet. Treat this as background and confirm in your visa packet.
Government pages may ask for
- A valid passport
- The Bureau of Immigration application form
- Documents from the official checklist
- Fingerprints and a photo for the ID card
Watch-outs
- The Bureau of Immigration page describes a hearing and fingerprinting in the Philippines.
- The passport is turned in so the visa can be placed in it.
Steps & timing
After arrival
Confirm in your visa packet
- Which documents to bring from home
- Whether anything is done before leaving
- Whether the background check needs an apostille
Called here? See all missions in the Philippines.
ArgentinaResidencia temporaria como religioso · temporary residence as a religious worker
Who handles it · Quién
- Missionary & parentsBackground check, apostilles; translation: confirm in your call packet.
- ChurchLetter certified by the Secretaría de Culto.
- In ArgentinaIn-person visit to Migraciones.
We haven’t seen a visa packet for this country yet. Treat this as background and confirm in your visa packet.
Government pages may ask for
- A valid passport
- A background check from countries lived in over 1 year in the last 3 years
- An Argentine criminal record certificate (done in Argentina)
- Proof of address in Argentina
- A letter from the Church certified by the Secretaría de Culto
Watch-outs · Cuidado
- Foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
- It’s done in person at the national immigration office (Migraciones).
Steps & timing · Plazos
After arrival · Al llegar
Confirm in your visa packet · Confirmar
- How recent the background check must be
- Who arranges the translation
- When the in-person visit happens
Called here? See all missions in Argentina.
Spanish and Portuguese names are the official visa names. More countries coming. Already have your call? Browse missions by country.
Visa checklist
Getting ready · Preparación · Preparação
Sent & done · Enviado
Words you’ll see
Apostille
A certificate that proves a U.S. document is real abroad. Federal papers, like an FBI check, go to the U.S. Department of State.
FBI background check
Called an Identity History Summary. You request it from the FBI and give fingerprints, for example at a participating post office.
Peru vs Chile: why so different?
As visa packets may describe them. Swipe to compare →
Peru
- Style
- Paper: originals mailed to Church Travel
- Your part may be
- FBI + statewide checks, notarized letter
- Notary & apostille
- May be asked for
- Entry
- With the visa
- After arrival
- Carné de extranjería in 30 days
Chile
- Style
- Digital: files sent by email
- Your part may be
- FBI report, phone photo, online account
- Notary & apostille
- None in this kind of packet
- Entry
- As a tourist; visa finished in Chile
- After arrival
- Cédula de identidad (ID card)
Families mostly notice which papers are asked for, how fresh they must be and apostilles.
Questions
When do mission visa instructions arrive?
Your call packet may say within about one to two weeks of opening the call, by email to the missionary.org address. Watch that inbox.
Does the mission call packet list visa documents?
Usually not. Country details come in a separate visa packet by email. Follow it promptly and completely.
Do LDS missionaries need a visa for Peru?
Yes, to serve. The visa packet may ask for FBI and statewide checks, a notarized power of attorney and apostilles, mailed to Church Travel.
What visa do missionaries get for Chile?
A religious-worker residence. The visa packet may ask for an FBI report, a phone photo and an online account, then entry as a tourist.
Why is our visa paperwork different from another family’s?
Each country sets its own rules. Which documents, how fresh they must be and apostilles all vary, so follow your own visa packet.
What is an apostille, and does my missionary need one?
A certificate proving a U.S. document is real abroad. Only get one if the visa packet asks. USA.gov
How do I get an FBI background check for a mission visa?
Request an Identity History Summary from the FBI and give fingerprints, for example at a participating post office. Only if asked. FBI
How recent does the background check need to be?
It depends on the country. Brazil’s Chicago consulate, for example, says within 90 days. Your visa packet has your date.
Can my missionary travel abroad before the MTC?
Your call packet may say not to plan international travel for about 2 months before, since the passport may be sent in. Ask Missionary Travel.
Who pays for the mission visa?
Your call packet may say the visa and airline ticket come at no cost. Costs like a background check or apostille aren’t covered here, so confirm in your packet. See what the monthly mission cost covers.
How do I keep track of visa steps?
Follow the visa packet and tick off the checklist on this page. Passport and visa questions go to [email protected].
What if the visa doesn’t come in time?
Some missionaries serve in another mission first until the visa arrives. See passport & visa help.
Who to contact
- Passport or visa questions[email protected]
- Travel itinerary[email protected] · Church Travel 1-800-537-3537
- No itinerary about 2 weeks out?Contact your stake president.
- Already serving?The mission president and mission office.
Sources
Country pages
- Peru Migraciones: religious resident visa
- Chile SERMIG: religious workers
- Embassy of Mexico: temporary resident, religious
- Brazil Consulate Chicago: VITEM VII
- Philippines Bureau of Immigration: 9(g)
More official pages
- Argentina: religious temporary residence
- FBI: Identity History Summary
- U.S. State Dept: criminal records checks
- U.S. State Dept: Office of Authentications
Church pages
. Rules change, so official pages, your visa packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Need a passport first? Passport & visa help →
Official overview: Missionary Portal online tool →