Brazil Student Visa - Definitive Guide

Whenever a foreign student is willing to study in Brazil, they shall need to obtain a student visa for Brazil. There are several benefits to this permit. The holder is allowed to acquire education in the country from the respective institution and is permitted tourism as well. The student can work on this visa keeping in mind that the work does not affect the education in any way. The visa is generally a long term type and multiple entries are permitted on one visa.

The process of obtaining a Brazil student visa is mainly offline. However, it is essential to make sure that you are an eligible candidate for the same. This can be done by going through the eligibility criteria that are provided by the authorities. The process for getting a student visa for Brazil from India is given as follows:

1. Apply online by filling the Brazil student visa application form.
2. Collect all the required documents.
3. Scan the documents and upload them along with the form.
4. You can then submit the application directly to the embassy or through a representative.
5. Along with the application, submit the original copies of the documents.
6. Pay the fee through demand draft.

There are a few things that you need to note when you are filling out the application form. The personal information in the application must match the details in the passport. Every information that is provided must be correct and true. In case there is any kind of false or bogus information in the application, there are chances that the visa may get rejected. There are other reasons as well that can cause a visa rejection. Also, note that a rejection of such kind can affect your future application for a visa to Brazil or to any other country.

As mentioned previously, there are certain criteria that the applicant needs to meet in order to become an eligible candidate to apply for the visa. Some of the major criteria to meet are listed as follows:

• You must have confirmed admission in Brazil
1. You must have applied to the institution or the university you are looking forward to acquiring the course.
2. Your admission must be confirmed and you must have the necessary documentary proof of the same.
3. Other valid documents, educational and others should be made available.
4. The educational documents must be verifiable.
5. You should have proof of your previous highest education degree.
• You must meet the health requirements
1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Brazil.
2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide relevant documentary proof.
• You must meet the character requirements
1. You must be visiting with education as your primary purpose.
2. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind studying in Brazil.
3. You need to provide relevant documentary proof for the same as well in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds
1. You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Brazil.
2. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.
3. If you have a sponsor, evidence of their financial stability must be made available and should be sufficient to support your education.
4. The guarantor documents should also be legitimate and submitted at the time of application.

The list of documents for a long term visa such as the student visa for Brazil is quite long. The Brazil student visa requirements are listed as follows:

1. An original passport that is valid for at least 6 months ahead of the date of arrival in Brazil.
2. Any old passport/s if available.
3. Recent photographs.
4. Apostilled copy of the PCC.
5. Proof of financial means:
1. Bank and/or credit card statements for the last three months
2. Proof of the applicant’s employment and leave, in the case of training.
3. Proof of scholarship, if applicable.
6. Requirements for minors:
1. Both the parents must be present at the Embassy.
2. A copy of the birth certificate with MEA Attestation must be submitted.
3. Authorization for Brazilian Visa Issuance for Minors signed by both parents or legal guardians. It must be notarized.
7. Proof of enrollment in the institute.
8. Other required educational documents.

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 4 cm x 5 cm.
• Coloured copy must be provided
• The head must be about 1 to 1.4 inches of the photo frame. 
• Head should be well-centered.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgear is not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match background.

The validity of the Brazil student visa is dependent on the period of the course. It can vary from several months to a few years. Short term courses as well as long term courses can be acquired on this visa. The duration of stay is not specified and the number of entries as well.

The processing time required to get a student visa for Brazil from India is about 7 to 10 working days. There are several factors that affect the processing time which include the workload at the embassy, the number of entries required, whether there is a need for urgent processing and several others.

The visa fee for Brazil student visa includes the price paid online for the visa application form and to the embassy. It can vary if you are applying for an urgent service from the embassy. It might even include the fees paid to the visa application centre if you are applying through one.

When the documents have been submitted, there are several things that come along. Some of the pointers are as follows:

• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• When the form is submitted along with the fees, the visa will be mailed to you on your registered address or can be collected by yourself from the embassy or the respective Consular section.

In order to check the status for your Brazil study visa online, all you have to do is visit the website with your visa application number and check the status by entering the digits. The processing is not that long so generally, you may not even need to track it. You can interpret the visa status as follows:

• Received: It means that your visa application form has been received by the embassy.
• Processing: It means that your visa application form is being processed and the documents are being verified.
• Authorized: It means that the visa has been authorized and approved to be printed and stamped.
• Ready for collection: This is the final part of the process where your visa is ready and you can collect your visa from the Consulate or Embassy in the working hours.

When the processing of the visa is complete, you will receive your permit. There are certain things that you need to note when you have finally received your visa. Some of the important points are as follows:

• Before you travel
1. Note the visa expiry date as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
2. You should travel to Brazil within the validity of your visa.
3. Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
4. Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border
1. Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
2. Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
3. Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
4. Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Brazil
1. Ensure not to get involved in any kind of activities that are not permitted to a non-Brazilian resident. You may get into trouble otherwise.
2. You can study, work as well as tour the country on this visa.
3. Apply for an extension within the validity of the permit.