🇧🇷 Brazil · Study Abroad
How to study in Brazil as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Quick answer
To study in Brazil you apply to the university, then, once admitted, apply for a student visa (VITEM IV) at the Brazilian consulate. After arrival you register with the Federal Police and obtain your migration ID (RNM). Many programs are in Portuguese. Explore the university sites and apply by the deadline.
Studying in Brazil depends on admission by a recognised institution, visa or residence status and the course type. International students should verify the institution in official education systems and use the appropriate MRE visa or Federal Police residence process.
- Regular higher-education courses should be checked in e-MEC, the official register of higher-education institutions and courses.
- MRE consular guidance treats regular study, exchange, internships and language courses under VITEM IV when the category applies.
- Students already in Brazil may have residence-permit steps directly with the Federal Police depending on status.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose your program and apply to the university; many programs are in Portuguese. Explore the university sites.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Apply for a student visa (VITEM IV) at the Brazilian consulate; after arrival, register with the Federal Police and get your RNM.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- e-MEC
Official register of higher-education institutions and courses.
- MRE — Study Visa (VITEM IV)
Official consular guidance for study visas.
- MJSP — residence authorization
Official residence-authorization page including study residence.
Frequently asked questions
What is a VITEM IV?
Brazil’s temporary student visa, issued by a consulate for study purposes; you register with the Federal Police after arrival.
What is the RNM?
The National Migration Registry ID you obtain after registering with the Federal Police, evidencing your legal stay.
Do I need Portuguese?
Usually — most programs are in Portuguese, and some require a proficiency exam (Celpe-Bras); some graduate courses are in English.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.