How to get a Brazilian student visa: requirements, steps, documents, costs

Brazil is a popular country to study in. It has quality universities and higher education institutions that operate in various fields of study. The Brazil study visa provides the right conditions for foreign students to study in this country.

Types of Brazilian student visas

Brazil student visa

This visa is for people who are coming to Brazil to study at an accredited higher education institution or language school. To apply for a student visa, you must have been accepted into a study program in Brazil and have proof of enrollment and financial ability for the duration of your studies.

Brazilian student exchange visa

This visa is for people who are going to Brazil to participate in a student exchange program , such as the Science Without Borders Program (Programa Ciência sem Fronteiras) or the Brazilian Scientific Mobility Program (Programa de Mobilidade Científica Brasil) . To apply for a Brazilian student exchange visa, you must provide evidence of your enrollment in the exchange program and your financial ability to support yourself during your studies. This visa is usually valid for up to one year and can be extended for up to two years under certain circumstances.

Brazil Research Visa

This visa is for people who are going to Brazil to conduct research at an accredited higher education institution or research center. To apply for a Brazil research visa, you must provide documentation of your research project and your financial ability to live in Brazil during your research.

Requirements for obtaining a Brazilian student visa

To obtain a Brazilian student visa, applicants must meet certain requirements. These requirements include the following:

Academic acceptance from a higher education institution in Brazil

Applicants must have an academic acceptance from a higher education institution in Brazil. This acceptance must be issued by the institution or university in question and certified by the Brazilian embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country.

Valid educational qualifications

To obtain a Brazilian student visa, applicants must provide valid educational documents. These documents must include the most recent degree, transcripts, and other educational credentials. The educational documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified by a Brazilian embassy or consulate.

Health certificate

To obtain a Brazilian student visa, applicants must have a health certificate that shows they are physically and mentally healthy. This certificate must be issued by a qualified doctor and certified by a Brazilian embassy or consulate.

Personality conditions

To obtain a Brazilian student visa, applicants must demonstrate that their genuine intention is to study in Brazil and that they will not pose a danger to the Brazilian government, society, or country.

Sufficient budget

To obtain a Brazilian student visa, applicants must have sufficient funds to cover their study and living expenses in Brazil. This can be provided by the applicant themselves or through a sponsor. If they have a sponsor, the applicant must provide evidence of the sponsor’s financial stability.

Explanation of some terms

Apostille: A stamp affixed by an official in the issuing country to a document to certify its authenticity and validity.
Sufficient funds: Sufficient funds to cover the costs of studying and living in Brazil are usually equivalent to US$10,000 per year.

Language requirements for obtaining a Brazilian student visa

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, but you don’t need to be fluent in the language to get a Brazilian student visa. Some Brazilian universities offer courses in English.

To be admitted to Brazilian universities, applicants must provide language proficiency and the required score for each university. For example, to study at the University of São Paulo, a minimum IELTS score of 5 is required.

Explanation of some terms

Portuguese: It is the official language of Brazil.
IELTS: It is an international test to measure English language proficiency.

Documents required for Brazil student visa registration

Passport with a validity of at least 6 months and two blank pages.
Several passport-sized photos.
A receipt showing that you have paid your tuition fees.
Copy of birth certificate.
Acceptance letter from the university . This letter must be from the university or institution in Brazil to which you have applied and must include the duration of your studies. The acceptance letter must be signed by a notary public (Tabeliao) in Brazil.
Proof of residence. This can be a rental agreement or an official letter stating that you are staying with a family member or someone else. You should also attach a copy of your ID card or passport.
Certificate of no criminal record. If you are 18 years old and will be staying in Brazil for more than 90 days , you must also present your certificate of no criminal record to the embassy. This certificate is usually issued by the police department in Iran.
Proof of financial means . This can be a bank statement or a certified letter showing that you have sufficient financial resources to live in Brazil. (The amount of financial means that can be presented to the embassy is $150 per month of stay in Brazil.)
Health insurance. This insurance must cover at least 30,000 euros .
Visa application form. You must complete and sign the Brazil student visa application form.
Supplementary documents for university studies
- A copy of the high school diploma, certified by the Brazilian Embassy in Iran.
- Brazilian university entrance exam results along with the passing score on this exam.
- A letter of enrollment from the requested university in Brazil confirming your acceptance into the course of study.
For postgraduate studies
- A copy of the bachelor’s degree certified by the embassy of this country.
- A letter from a Brazilian university stating that you are enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program.
For internship
- You must submit an internship agreement or letter between the intern, the organization where the internship will take place, and the Brazilian educational institution.

Steps to obtain a Brazilian student visa

To receive student visa services at the Brazilian Embassy in Iran, it is necessary to provide the following:

Completed visa application form;
Meeting time and date.
Bring all the required documents.

1. Fill out the visa application form and print it.

The personal information on the form must match the details on your passport.

2. Submit an electronic request to make an appointment at the embassy.

Even if all the steps are carried out by someone acting as your representative, only the embassy appointment made in your name will be accepted.

3. Attend the embassy appointment.

The Consulate General will not accept online visa applications (by mail).

4. Pay the consular fee for the visa.

Any information provided must be correct and truthful, if there is any false or fraudulent information in the application, there is a possibility of your visa being rejected.

Brazil student visa application processing time

The processing time for a Brazilian student visa may vary depending on your circumstances and documents. However, a Brazilian student visa will be issued within 5 business days after receiving approval from the Brazilian embassy . However, if the embassy decides that your documents also need to be approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visa processing time will take up to two weeks .

Brazil student visa fee

The application fee for a Brazilian student visa is US$120.

Validity and extension of a Brazilian student visa

Validity period of a Brazilian student visa

The validity period of a Brazilian student visa depends on the length of the applicant’s studies. A student visa is usually issued for a period of one year and can be extended.

Brazil student visa extension

Applicants can apply to extend their student visa up to 60 days before the visa expires. To apply, you must go through the nearest Federal Police agency in Brazil.

Conditions for permanent residence in Brazil after studying

Applicants who intend to reside in Brazil after studying can apply for permanent residency. To obtain permanent residency in Brazil, applicants must meet the following requirements:

At least one year of study at a higher education institution in Brazil
Fluency in Portuguese
Work experience in Brazil
Have sufficient financial means to support yourself in Brazil

What universities in Brazil are recommended for higher education?

Brazil has prestigious universities that operate in various fields of study. Some of the top universities in Brazil for Iranians to study include:

University of São Paulo (USP) : Located in the city of São Paulo, the University of São Paulo is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil. It is highly ranked in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine.
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) : Another prestigious university in Brazil, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is highly ranked in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and arts.
Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) : The Federal University of Minas Gerais is a prestigious university in Brazil, located in the city of Belo Horizonte. It is highly ranked in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine.
Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) : The Federal University of Santa Catarina is a prestigious university in Brazil, located in the city of Flores del Este. It is highly ranked in the fields of science, engineering, and humanities.
Federal University of São Paulo (Unesp) : The Federal University of São Paulo is one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil, located in the state of São Paulo. It is highly ranked in the fields of science, engineering, and humanities.

Brazilian universities have also performed well in global rankings. The University of São Paulo is ranked 147th in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is ranked 380th in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The Federal University of Minas Gerais is ranked 501-510th in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Studying at Brazilian universities has many advantages for Iranians. The cost of studying at Brazilian public universities is relatively affordable. Also, Brazilian universities offer a wide range of study programs.

To study at Brazilian universities, Iranian applicants must meet the following requirements:

Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Be fluent in Portuguese.
Have sufficient financial evidence to support themselves during their studies in Brazil.

Applicants can apply for admission to Brazilian universities online or in person at their chosen university.

Here are some important tips for Iranians studying at Brazilian universities:

Proficiency in Portuguese: Proficiency in Portuguese is essential for studying at Brazilian universities. Applicants can participate in Portuguese language courses held in Iran to learn Portuguese.
Cost of Living: The cost of living in Brazil is lower than in many European and American countries. However, applicants should consider their own living expenses.
Job opportunities: After graduating from Brazilian universities, applicants can apply for work in Brazil.

What are the requirements for obtaining a Brazilian study visa or a better job?

The Brazilian student visa and the Brazilian work visa are two popular types of visas for immigration to Brazil. Each of these visas has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Brazil student visa

A Brazilian student visa is issued to individuals who intend to study at a higher education institution in Brazil. This type of visa is usually issued for a period of one year and is renewable.

Benefits of a Brazilian student visa:

The opportunity to study at one of the best universities in the world
Opportunity to gain work experience in Brazil
Possibility of permanent residence after graduation

Disadvantages of a Brazilian student visa:

The cost of studying and living in Brazil is relatively high.
Getting a visa may take time.

Brazil work visa

A Brazilian work visa is issued to individuals who intend to work in Brazil. This type of visa is usually issued for a period of one year and is renewable.

Benefits of a Brazil work visa:

Possibility of earning money in Brazil
Possibility of permanent residence after a few years of work

Disadvantages of a Brazilian work visa:

Need to find a Brazilian employer
The visa process can be difficult.

Reasons for rejection of a Brazilian student visa

There are various reasons for a Brazil student visa rejection. Some of the most common reasons are:

Failure to provide required documents: Applicants must provide the required documents for obtaining a visa in a complete and correct manner. Failure to provide the required documents will result in the visa application being rejected.
Documents not meeting the requirements: The documents submitted by the applicant must meet the requirements for obtaining a visa. If the documents do not meet the requirements, the visa application will be rejected.
Defects in the documents: The documents submitted by the applicant must be free from any defects. If there are any defects in the documents, the visa application will be rejected.
Failure to provide a health certificate: Applicants must provide a valid health certificate that shows that they are physically and mentally healthy. Failure to provide a health certificate will result in the visa application being rejected.
Failure to provide an acceptance letter from a Brazilian higher education institution: Applicants must provide a valid acceptance letter from a Brazilian higher education institution. Failure to provide an acceptance letter will result in the visa application being rejected.
Insufficient financial support: Applicants must provide sufficient financial support to cover their study and living expenses in Brazil. Failure to provide sufficient financial support will result in the visa application being rejected.
Criminal record: Applicants with a criminal record may have their visa application rejected.
Failure to answer the visa officer’s questions: Applicants must answer the visa officer’s questions completely and honestly. Failure to answer the visa officer’s questions or answering the questions in a misleading manner will result in the visa application being rejected.

Strategies to avoid rejection of a Brazilian student visa

To avoid rejection of a Brazilian student visa, applicants must comply with the following:

Familiarize yourself with the visa requirements in advance and prepare the required documents completely and correctly.
Carefully review the documents provided and ensure that there are no defects in them.
Provide a valid health certificate.
Provide a valid acceptance letter from a Brazilian higher education institution.
Provide sufficient financial evidence to cover your study and living expenses in Brazil.
If you have a criminal record, provide evidence of it.
Answer the visa officer’s questions completely and honestly.