Requirements for obtaining a student visa (VITEM IV):

It is designed for foreign citizens traveling to Brazil for the following activities: regular courses, training exchange or research exchange.

- Regular courses include primary and Secondary Education; Bachelor's and postgraduate degrees (specialization, master's and doctoral degrees); technical and language courses. Regular courses should be offered by educational institutions that have a corporate taxpayer identification number (CNPJ).

- Training or research exchanges involve improving academic skills through the exchange of knowledge and experience in an academic environment, for example: participation in Sandwich programs and university cooperation, performing part of Master's / doctoral research, completing mandatory undergraduate / postgraduate studies module abroad (commonly referred to as "year abroad", often the third year).

- Regular courses or training exchanges must have a minimum of 15 hours per week. Exceptional and properly justified cases with a weekly exchange rate load of less than 15 hours are subject to analysis and can be accepted at the discretion of the migration authorities. A minimum course load is not required for the exchange of research.

- Foreign citizens traveling to Brazil for doctoral and research work must apply for VITEM I, not VITEM IV, as they are classified as researchers, not students.

- For training or exchanges lasting up to 90 days, the applicant must request a visitor visa (VIVIS). UK passport holders are exempt from the visitor visa (VIVIS); therefore, they do not need to obtain a visa if the training lasts up to 90 days. Citizens of other citizens should check the table of visa requirements. 

- Foreign citizens who are already in Brazil can apply for a residence permit for training/exchange directly to the Federal Police.

- People who have a student visa are allowed to perform paid work, provided that the working hours correspond to their academic load. Please contact the Federal Police for details and explanations.

- This type of visa entitles the applicant to study at a specific educational institution. If a student wants to move to another institution, you must contact the Federal Police.

Validity period: up to 1 year. The deadline / validity period before which the first entry to Brazil must take place is counted from the date of issuing the visa.

Extension of stay: the period of stay can be extended until the end of training. If an extension is required, the person concerned must contact the federal police before the end of the granted period of residence.

Documents:

- a valid passport with a period of more than 6 months

- photo with size 3.5x4.5 cm

- visa application form.

- police check (for persons over 18 years of age)

- proof of financial resources compatible with the entire period of stay in Brazil, or proof that the applicant has been granted a scholarship

- letter from the University

- permission to leave from parents/guardians (for persons under 18 years of age)

- birth certificate containing the names of the parents

Holders of this type of visa must register with the Federal Police within 90 days of first entering Brazil. Submitting documents to the Federal Police, they must be officially translated into Portuguese in Brazil.

Steps to get a visa:

You must apply for a Brazilian visa at one of the embassies or consulates of Brazil in your country.

The process varies slightly depending on where you live and where you should apply for a visa to Brazil, but this can be assumed as follows:

1) Find the nearest embassy/consulate in Brazil. This can be either in your country or in a neighboring country.

2) Contact them to find out their requirements and the documents you need.

3) Make an appointment for a visa.

Some embassies / consulates allow you to do this online.

4) Collect the necessary documents for applying for a visa to Brazil.

5) Fill out the online application form for a visa to Brazil. Answer all your questions and attach electronic copies of the required documents and a visa photo. You will also receive a confirmation number.

6) Print out the "receipt" of the Brazilian visa form and attach the visa photo in the designated place.

7) Show up on the date of admission and hand over your application form and original documents to the consulate staff. You can also send them documents by mail.

8) Pay the visa fee to Brazil. Again, the preferred payment method varies depending on the country and the specific embassy/consulate.

9) Wait for the visa application to be processed. As soon as this happens, the consular staff will inform you about the result of reviewing your application, and you will have to return and get a visa. If you applied by mail, you will also receive a Brazilian visa by mail.

Cost of the consular fee:

for USA citizens - 160 reals

Great Britain - 465 reals

other countries - 100 reals