International students in Brazil must have a VITEM IV (Temporary Visa IV) student visa. This visa is issued to students who wish to study at Brazilian universities. They must be enrolled in a recognized school or technical school, higher education institution or university for undergraduate or graduate programs accredited by the Brazilian Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), or students studying on an exchange program or receiving scholarships from Brazilian institutions, or students doing an internship with the support of a Brazilian educational institution.
Student visa holders must register with the Brazilian Immigration Service (DPMAF) within 30 days of arrival in Brazil and submit a copy of the visa application form provided to them by the Brazilian consulate when they received their visa. The application form is stamped and returned to the Consulate General of Brazil (Consulado Geral Do Brazil).
The following documents are required
- A valid foreign passport: Valid for at least six months and must have at least 2 blank pages
- 2 passport size photos
- Payment receipts: Proof that you have paid your tuition fees
- Acceptance/confirmation letter:
- Proof of accommodation: This can be a housing lease or any official letter stating that you are living with family or someone else, along with a copy of their valid ID or passport.
- Background check: Students over the age of 18 whose stay in Brazil exceeds 90 days must provide a certificate of no criminal record. This certificate is issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- Proof of financial resources
- Confirmation of departure: Purchase a round-trip ticket in advance and provide a copy of it.
- Two visa applications: Completed and signed by you, with a photo attached.
- A copy of your birth certificate
- Certificate of health insurance
- International vaccination: Yellow fever vaccination is recommended if the candidate wants to travel to one of the following regions in Brazil: Amazonas, Acre, Federal District, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Roraima, Mato Grosso do Sul, Amapá, Pará, Rondônia, Tocantins, Maranhao.
Persons under the age of 18 must additionally apply:
- Identity documents of both parents.
- A visa and travel permit issued by a notary office in their home country.
For bachelor's students
- A copy of the certificate of complete secondary education: Must be certified by the consulate
- A copy of the passed entrance exam: Must include scores and subjects passed.
- Letter of acceptance from the Brazilian university confirming your enrollment with the duration of the course.
For postgraduate programs
- A copy of your higher education diploma: Must be certified by the consulate.
- Letter of acceptance from a Brazilian educational institution: It must state that you are enrolled in a postgraduate program.
For religious studies
- A letter of acceptance from a Brazilian religious institution confirming the student's acceptance and indicating the duration of the program.
For training or internships
- Letter of agreement or internship letter: Concluded between the student, the training organization and the Brazilian educational institution.
Application procedure
Fill out the visa application form on the MRE-SCEDV website (Ministry of Foreign Affairs - System for the Control and Issuance of Visa Documents)
The online application form will be valid for 30 days. After 30 days, your online form will be invalid and you will have to fill it out again.
Please follow these steps when filling out the form
Step 1: Select the language to fill out the visa application form
Step 2: Click "Request a visa" and read the instructions
Step 3: Fill out the application form. Enter all the required data and then submit the form by clicking on the "Submit" button.
Step 4: After submission, you will receive your application number and a receipt.
Step 5: Print out the receipt of delivery of the visa application form (Recibo de Entrega de Requerimento) and attach one passport-size photo
Step 6: Sign the receipt and provide your email address and phone number for further payment instructions
Make an appointment at the nearest Brazilian embassy. Submit the duly completed and signed receipt, documents, passport and payment of the fee to the Brazilian consulate/embassy in person.
Processing time
The processing time for a student visa depends on the place of residence. As a rule, a Brazilian visa is issued within 5 working days. In cases where prior approval from the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required, the processing time is 2 weeks. After receiving the approval, the consulate issues the visa within 5 working days.
Validity of a student visa
A student visa is valid for up to one year.
Extension is granted only after receiving confirmation from the university or college that the candidate continues his/her studies, attends classes and successfully passes the exam to move to the next level.
Students who wish to extend their stay in Brazil must submit an application to the Federal Police Department (DPMAF) in the capital of the state where they reside at least 1 month before the expiration of the current visa.
