Besides being a popular destination for spring breaks and holidays, Brazil makes one of the top places for studying abroad. It has over 2,000 higher education institutions offering a wide variety of programs. Plus, education here is easy on the wallet, leaving you with more resources to enjoy the country to the fullest. Before you can start your study here, make sure to learn how to get a student visa in Brazil.
What documents do you need to apply for a student visa in Brazil?
You’ll need the following documents to apply for a student visa in Brazil:
- Passport with at least six months validity and at least two blank pages
- Completed, printed, and signed visa application form
- 3 x 4 photos
- Reservation ticket or ticket of arrival and departure to and from Brazil
- Valid police certificate of a good report issued within the last 90 days
- Birth certificate
- Proof of enrollment or acceptance letter from your host university with specified stay duration
- Proof of payment of consular fees
- Health insurance with minimum coverage of $35,000
- Proof of subsistence means, scholarship, or proof of parents’ economical means
How much money do you need for a Brazil Student Visa?
For your Brazil student visa application, you will need to pay $180 at the consulate or embassy. But for your academic and living expenses, you will need to prepare for the following:
Tuition Fees
These typically range between $2,000 to $10,000 per academic year. Whatever degree or program you wish to join, the tuition costs will still fall within this range. If you’re taking Ph.D. and applying for teaching assistantships, you might be qualified for a tuition waiver. However, you will need to apply for a working visa to do this.
Accommodation
You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for $430, with utilities that cost around $50.
Food and Staples
Food is relatively cheap in this country. You can dine out at an inexpensive restaurant at $5.50. Other staples such as milk, eggs, chicken, and bread, cost between $0.75 to $3. While tap water is improving in the country, it is still worth considering adding bottled water to your monthly budget, which costs $0.55 per 1.5 liters. On average, you can plan a $470 budget per month.
Public Transport
You can allot $50 of your budget for monthly transportation expenses. Of course, you can save more money by choosing cost-effective options such as walking if the university is nearby, or taking a bicycle.
Healthcare
Although you’ll need to have medical insurance for your visa application, you can save money through Brazil’s national healthcare program. It is free, considered a constitutional right, and applies even to international students.
Check Also: Available Programs for International Students
Steps on Applying for a Student Visa in Brazil
It is more manageable to apply for a Brazilian student visa if you know the process you need to go through. Here are the steps in applying for a student visa in Brazil:
1. Complete Your Documentary Requirements
Before you can lodge your student visa application, you will need to complete all requirements first. You’ll need to upload copies of these when you fill out the online application form. Additionally, make sure to contact the embassy if there are additional requirements you need to provide. You can find the list of Brazilian diplomatic missions abroad here.
2. Fill Out the Online Application Form
You’ll need to fill out the online application form here. Take note of these reminders before starting on your form:
- Have your documents ready at hand.
- You can upload digital copies of your photo, signature, and relevant docs so make sure to scan those.
- Fill in all fields signed as mandatory.
- Uploading your photo is also required. Check the standard photo specifications here.
- If you need to pause while filling out the form, you can save it and later choose the option “Continue Application.”
After completing your application form, click on Complete Application, and the website will generate an application number. Don’t forget to print the receipt after completing the online form. You will bring this and your visa application requirements to the Brazilian consular or embassy in your home country. You might also need to make copies of the original documents you will present to the consul.
3. Request an Appointment at the Nearest Consulate Office or Embassy
After completing the online application process, you’ll need to bring the original copies you uploaded, the application receipt, and your photo in the standard format. Brazilian student visa processing vary across diplomatic missions so it is best to confirm how best to submit these documents. In some countries, submission has to go through posts, such as in the Embassy of Brazil in Washington, USA. In other countries, such as the UK, applicants have to request through an e-Service platform. There, they will need to create an account using personal email and start the application process, similarly as in Step One above.
After uploading their documents, the embassy officer will validate these and send the application confirmation email with a link to set the appointment at the embassy.
Ideally, you can contact the embassy in your country to confirm your best option in setting up an appointment to submit your requirements for a student visa. It can also help to ask for processing times and payment options for the application fee for a Brazilian student visa.
4. Hand Over your Original Documents to the Consul
After successfully requesting an appointment, bring your original documents and copies of these to the consular office. If you have any queries before your appointment schedule, contact the embassy or consul to clarify these instead of asking during your appointment. Besides, a visa application might require an interview with the consul, in which case, the consul will ask questions, instead of the other way around.
5. Visa Issuance
A visa application can take from five days to three months, depending on the completeness of your submitted documents. Additionally, the consul might request other documents to support your visa application. Because of this, it is important to lodge your application as early as you can. Once your visa is issued by the embassy, make sure to fly to Brazil within 90 days. Although, a Brazilian student visa is valid for one year. If you intend to stay longer than that, you can apply for an extension, at least 30 days before your visa expires.
6. Register at the Local Federal Police
Within 30 days from your arrival in Brazil, make sure to register at the local branch of the Federal Police. Failure to do so will result in daily tax penalties and might negatively affect your visa extension. Additionally, you will need to go through the Federal Police to secure your ID card and formalize your stay in Brazil.
We hope that this article on getting a Brazil student visa was helpful! If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
