Study (VITEM IV)

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 (specialization, 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). Estonian 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.

• 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 authorizes the applicant to study at a specific institution. If the student would like to switch to another institution, the Federal Police must be contacted.

Required Documentation:

1. VALID PASSPORT

2. POLICE BACKGROUND CHECK (if applicable)

Applies only for applicants over 18 years old.

The document must be apostilled and if not in English, translated by a certified translator.

Police background checks are valid for up to 3 months from the date of issue.

If the applicant has lived in multiple countries within the last 12 months, a police background check from each country of residence must be provided. The documents must be apostilled by the competent authority in the issuing country and, if not in English or Portuguese, translated to English by a certified translator.

3. TRAVEL ITINERARY

One of the following documents must be submitted:

• Booking confirmation (paid ticket or e-ticket) containing the applicant's name and complete travel information (itinerary, flight numbers, arrival / departure dates); or
• Booking reservation or letter from a travel agent containing the applicant's name and complete travel information.

Please observe that return tickets must also be presented.

4. PROOF OF FUNDS

Evidence of financial means compatible with the entire period of stay in Brazil or proof the applicant has been granted a scholarship.

Recent evidence must be presented (from at least the last 3 months), such as bank and/or credit card statements containing sufficient funds, payslips, proof of student loan / financing.

Students being financially supported by their families must submit a declaration signed by the sponsors, in addition to a copy of the identification pages of their passports and recent evidence of financial capacity.

5. LETTER FROM THE BRAZILIAN EDUCATION INSTITUTION TO WHICH THE STUDENT WILL BE LINKED

Original letter – the signature on the letter must be certified by a notary public ("cartório") in Brazil. The signature authentication will not be necessary if the student is going to attend an undergraduate or postgraduate course at a public-funded (Federal or State) university.

The document must:

a) Be presented on institution letterhead;

b) Declare that the applicant is duly enrolled or has been accepted into the intended course;

c) Inform the name of the course, duration, period (include activities' start and end dates), and weekly course load (for regular courses and study exchanges, it must be greater than or equal to 15 hours per week);

d) Inform that the course has been fully paid (if it is not free of charge) or that the student has been awarded a scholarship / bursary / maintenance grant.

e) In the case of regular courses, include the Corporate Taxpayer Identification Number (CNPJ).

f) Inform the contact details (full name, telephone number, e-mail) of the person handling the student's admission into the Brazilian education institution.

6. ORIGINAL LETTER FROM THE ESTONIAN UNIVERSITY (if applicable)

Applies only to higher education students.

The document must attest the student is currently enrolled in higher education.

7. TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (if applicable)

Applies only for applicants under 18 years old.

Authorization with certified signature (notarized) from the parents / legal guardians in case of child or adolescent, as well as the details of the person who will be responsible for the minor in Brazil.

8. COPY OF PARENTS' IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT (if applicable)

Applies only for applicants under 18 years old.

Estonian ID card or passport.

9. ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE

The document must be apostilled and if not in English, translated by a certified translator.

In the absence of the full birth certificate, the applicant may submit another official document that contains the parents’ full names.

10. PROOF OF REGULAR IMMIGRATION STATUS IN ESTONIA (if applicable)

For foreign residents/ non-Estonian citzens.

 For the visa application, it will also be required:

ONE PHOTOGRAPH

Photo must be in color, front view, white background, size 4 x 5 cm (document/passport size), printed in photographic paper and taken recently (3 months old maximum). The same photo cannot be used for more than one application.

VISA REQUEST FORM RECEIPT (RER)

• The form must be filled in online (click here). 
• Enter complete information – please note that some fields are mandatory.
• Parents' names must be entered in full (name and surname), exactly as displayed in the applicant's birth certificate.
• Click on the "Complete Application" button to generate the Visa Request Form Receipt (RER).
• Print and sign the RER; affix your photo on the indicated field.
• If the applicant is under 18 years old, the RER must be signed by both parents.

Gather all original documents listed above. They must be presented during the scheduled interview at the Embassy, along with the RER.

Please note that documents in digital format must be printed. Documents shown on mobile device screens will not be accepted.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Click here to book a Visa Services appointment

VISA FEE PAYMENT

The visa fee is paid by online transfer to the Embassy's bank account after the Embassy has received the visa application and all its documents.

Visa fees are not refundable.

Click here to check the Visa fees

Other Information:

• The Embassy may request additional documents, after receiving the visa application.

• 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 to learn how to register.

• Family reunion:

Dependants (spouse, partner, children, other) may be granted a Family Reunion Visa (VITEM XI), bound to the primary VITEM 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 has been issued.