Besides being a popular destination for vacations, Brazil is also one of the top places for studying abroad. According to Brazil’s 2024 Higher Education Census, the country has 2,561 higher education institutions offering a wide variety of programs. Costs vary substantially by institution and city, but students at Brazilian public universities generally do not pay tuition for regular undergraduate and graduate programs. Before beginning your studies, make sure you understand how to obtain the appropriate visa for studying in Brazil.
Steps on Applying for a Brazilian Student Visa
The visa normally used for studies lasting more than 90 days is the Temporary Visa IV, commonly called VITEM IV. For courses or exchanges lasting up to 90 days, a visitor visa or visa exemption may apply, depending on the applicant’s nationality. Application procedures and supporting documents can vary by Brazilian embassy or consulate, so applicants should always follow the instructions of the diplomatic mission responsible for their place of residence.
Step 1. Complete Your Documentary Requirements
Before submitting your visa application, gather the documents required by the Brazilian embassy or consulate responsible for your jurisdiction. You will generally need to upload digital copies during the online application process and later present originals or certified copies when requested. Because documentary requirements can vary by nationality, age, course type, and consular district, check the applicable mission’s instructions before applying. You can locate Brazilian diplomatic missions and access their e-consular services through the e-consular portal.
Step 2. Fill Out the Online Application Form
Complete the electronic visa application form through the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa application system. Keep the following reminders in mind:
- Have your supporting documents available before you begin.
- Prepare digital copies of your photograph, signature, and supporting documents in the required formats.
- Complete all fields marked as mandatory.
- Upload a photograph that meets the specifications shown in the application system.
- If the system permits you to save an unfinished application, retain the application information needed to continue it later.
After completing the form, submit it and print or save the Visa Application Form Receipt, also known as the RER. The receipt and the required supporting documents must then be submitted according to the instructions of the responsible Brazilian embassy or consulate. Completing the electronic form alone does not finish the visa application process.
Step 3. Request an Appointment at the Nearest Consulate Office or Embassy
After completing the online form, follow the submission procedure established by the Brazilian embassy or consulate responsible for your residence. Many diplomatic missions use the e-consular platform to review documents before allowing an applicant to schedule an appointment. Others may use mail, an external service provider, or another locally specified procedure.
Do not assume that walk-in applications are accepted. Wait for the mission to validate your online submission and provide instructions about an appointment, document delivery, payment, or any required appearance.
Contact the responsible embassy or consulate if its website does not clearly explain the procedure. Visa fees, accepted payment methods, appointment arrangements, and processing times vary by location and, in some cases, by the applicant’s nationality.
Step 4. Hand Over your Original Documents to the Consul
Submit or present your original documents, copies, and Visa Application Form Receipt as instructed by the diplomatic mission. An in-person appointment or interview may be required, but this is determined by the embassy or consulate handling the application. The consular authority may also request additional documents or information before making a decision.
Step 5. Visa Issuance
Processing times are set by each diplomatic mission and can change according to demand, nationality, security checks, and whether the application is complete. Some missions publish estimates of several business days, while others may take considerably longer. Applicants should therefore consult the responsible mission and apply well before their intended travel date.
If the visa is approved, check the visa label or electronic notice carefully for its validity, permitted number of entries, and any deadline for entering Brazil. A temporary visa may be issued with a validity of up to one year, but the visa’s validity is not necessarily the same as the authorized period of residence. The period of residence is formalized after registration in Brazil. Students who need to continue their studies must apply to renew their residence authorization through the Federal Police before it expires and follow the current renewal rules.
Step 6. Register at the Local Federal Police
Holders of a Brazilian temporary visa must generally register with the Federal Police within 90 days of their first entry into Brazil. This registration creates the applicant’s National Migration Registry record and is used to issue the National Migration Registration Card, known as the CRNM.
Registration ordinarily requires an online application, an appointment, the applicant’s valid travel document, the original visa application form provided during visa issuance, and other documents listed by the Federal Police. Missing the registration deadline can result in penalties under Brazilian immigration regulations.
Documents Needed for Brazilian Student Visa Applications
The exact requirements depend on the Brazilian embassy or consulate processing the application. A VITEM IV application commonly requires the following:
- A passport or other accepted travel document valid for the period required by the responsible diplomatic mission
- The completed Visa Application Form Receipt
- A recent photograph meeting the mission’s specifications
- Proof of acceptance or enrollment from the Brazilian educational institution, including relevant information about the course and its duration
- Proof of sufficient financial resources or evidence of a scholarship
- A birth certificate or another document showing the applicant’s parents’ names, when required
- A criminal-record certificate for applicants who are old enough to be subject to this requirement, generally covering the countries where they have lived during the period specified by the consulate
- Proof of payment of the applicable consular fee
- Additional documents required by the responsible embassy or consulate, which may include proof of accommodation, travel arrangements, insurance, academic records, or parental authorization for minors
Requirements such as the number of blank passport pages, photograph dimensions, criminal-record certificate validity, health insurance, and travel reservations are not identical at every diplomatic mission. Applicants should use the checklist published by the mission handling their application rather than relying on a general list alone.
We hope that this article on getting a Brazil student visa was helpful! If you’re interested, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
