Study (VITEM IV)

a) General rules

• It is intended for foreign nationals travelling to Brazil to undertake the following activities: regular courses, study exchange or research exchange. 

• Regular courses comprise primary and secondary levels of education; undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (specialisation, master's and doctor's degrees); technical and language courses. Regular courses must be offered by education institutions that hold a Corporate Taxpayer Identification Number (CNPJ).

• Study or research exchanges involve the improvement of academic qualification by sharing knowledge and experiences within the academic environment, such as: participation in "sandwich" and university collaboration programmes, carrying out part of the master's / doctor's research, doing one's compulsory undergraduate / postgraduate study module abroad (commonly called "year abroad", often the third year).

• Regular courses or study exchanges must have a minimum course load of 15 hours per week. Exceptional and duly justified cases with a weekly course load of less than 15 hours are subject to analysis and may be accepted at the migratory authority's discretion. A minimum course load for research exchanges is not required.

• Foreign nationals travelling to Brazil for post-doctoral research / studies must apply for a VITEM I, not a VITEM IV, as they are classified as researchers, not students.

• For studies or exchanges with duration of up to 90 days, the applicant must request a Visitor Visa (VIVIS). UK passport holders are exempt from Visitor Visas (VIVIS); therefore, they do not need to obtain a visa if their studies last for up to 90 days. Other nationalities must check the visa requirements table.

• Foreign nationals who are already in Brazil can apply for residence permit for the purposes of study / exchange directly with the Federal Police.

• Student visa holders are permitted to undertake paid work, as long as the working hours are compatible with their course load. Details and clarifications must be requested to the Federal Police.

• This type of visa authorises the applicant to study at a specific institution. If the student would like to switch to another institution, the Federal Police must be contacted.

b) Length & extension of stay

Validity period: up to 1 year.

Limit / expiry date until which the first entry in Brazil must take place – counted from the date of issue of the visa.

Initial period of stay: up to 1 year.

Initial period during which the individual is allowed to remain in Brazil – counted from the date of first entry in the country – that will be confirmed at the moment of residence registration with the Federal Police.

Residence period: up to 1 year.

Determined at the moment of residence registration with the Federal Police – indicates the effective period during which the foreigner will be allowed to reside in Brazil.

Extension of stay: the period of residence may be extended until the conclusion of the studies. In case an extension is necessary, the person concerned must contact the Federal Police before the end of the granted residence period.

c) Visa fees

Click here for information regarding visa fee values and how to pay them.

d) Lodging the application, processing times & visa collection

This type of visa must be requested in person by the applicant.

Click here to book an appointment, check the processing times and see how to collect the visa, if approved.

e) Required documents

Please note: the original documents listed below must be presented during the interview.

 * Applicants willing to travel accompanied by their spouse / partner / children: click here to check their eligibility. If eligible, in addition to the above-mentioned items (1, 2, 3 and 5), the following documents must be presented:

Minor children (under 18 years old):

1. Original full birth certificate;
2. Visa consent: by signing the minor's Visa Request Form Receipt (RER) in person at the Consulate, before the consular authority, the parents / legal guardians authorise the issue of the visa. In case one of the parts is unable to come to the Consulate, the signature must be certified.

Spouse / partner:

1. Original marriage certificate (or equivalent) and/or full birth certificate of each child;
2. Police check (item 4 of the table above).

If issued outside the UK, the documents have to be legalised (get an apostille) by the competent authority in the issuing country.

f) Registration with the Federal Police

Holders of this type of visa must register with the Federal Police within 90 days from first entry in Brazil. Contact the Federal Police directly (click here) to learn how to register.

The Consulate anticipates that, among other documents, the applicant will have to present the Visa Application Form (FPV) provided upon issue of the visa, as well as his/her original full birth certificate, containing the parents' full names (if British, Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth – full form).

Please note: the certificate must be legalised (get an apostille) by the competent authority in the issuing country. Documents issued in the UK are legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - FCO. After being legalised, the document will have to be translated into Portuguese by a sworn translator ("tradutor juramentado") in Brazil.

g) Family reunion

Applicants willing to take their spouse / partner / children / other dependants, please click here to check their eligibility. Dependants may be granted a Family Reunion Visa (VITEM XI), bound to the primary VITEM IV application, thus subject to the same conditions (e.g. same length of stay etc.). Family applications may be lodged jointly or after the primary applicant’s VITEM IV has been issued.

If eligible, each applicant must submit the following documents: