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Your migration process will be easier if you get your Cadastro de Pessoa Física (CPF) before coming to Brazil. It is the most important number for participating in the Brazilian economy.
Your CPF will be needed to pay government fees online when applying for the Foreign Identity Card (RNM)
CPF and RNM will also be required in several essential scenarios:
- Opening and maintaining a Brazilian bank account.
- Signing formal contracts for housing, internet, or mobile phone plans.
- Accessing student-specific benefits and public social programs.
- Conducting formal financial transfers or receiving payments.
Foreigners residing abroad must submit their CPF applications to Brazilian consular offices abroad through in-person service.
For more information about how to reach the consulate, please access the official website https://econsular.itamaraty.gov.br/ and choose your country.
Whether or not you need a visa before travelling to Brazil mainly depends on two things: How long you plan to stay and what country you are from.
EU citizens may enter Brazil for educational purposes for up to 90 days without a visa. Namely, students from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
In addition to the European Union, various other European nations have established agreements that allow their citizens to enjoy the same benefit. These countries include Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Vatican City.
For academic programmes exceeding 90 days, a VITEM IV is mandatory.
Visas are required for all purposes.
Brazil reciprocity principle applies procedures that mirror those imposed by these countries on Brazilian citizens.
Students from the Mercosur, namely Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia, and associate members such as Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, Suriname, and Panama, don't need a visa to stay in Brazil up to 90 days.
Students from these nations are encouraged to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit rather than a VITEM IV.
Nationals may enter using only a national ID card and regularise their status at a Federal Police station post-arrival.
Under the CPLP Mobility Agreement, citizens of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, and Timor-Leste benefit from specific procedures regarding entry and stay for educational purposes.
Portugal and Cape Verde are exempt from visas for stays up to 90 days.
Holders of a Macau SAR passport are exempt from a visa for educational stays of up to 90 days. Regarding longer stays, Macau citizens must obtain a VITEM IV before their arrival in Brazil. Since they are not a full member of CPLP.
Citizens of the remaining CPLP member states may opt for the simplified CPLP Residence Visa. This visa allows for an initial entry and stay that can subsequently be converted into a residency permit within the national territory. You may find the general starting point for this visa application here: https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-lisboa/servicos-consulares/vistos-destinados-a-estrangeiros-para-entrada-no-brasil/visto-temporario-xiv-visto-cpl
For other nationalities, please consult the closest consulate: https://econsular.itamaraty.gov.br/
The Temporary Visa IV (VITEM IV) is the standard legal instrument for academic activities exceeding 90 days. It establishes temporary residence rather than a simple visitation permit.
Apply directly at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/ui/#/servicos-estrangeiros
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA): You must provide an official LOA from Mackenzie Presbyterian University.
- Financial Proof: Applicants must demonstrate "sufficient means of subsistence". Documentation includes bank statements from the last three to six months, scholarship letters, or a notarized letter of financial responsibility from a guardian.
- Work Restrictions: VITEM IV holders are strictly prohibited from engaging in paid employment. Unpaid internships are permitted only if they are an integral part of the curriculum.
- Hague Apostille: Documents such as criminal record certificates and academic transcripts must be authenticated with the Hague Apostille in the country of origin. Once apostilled, these documents must be translated by a sworn translator in Brazil to be legally valid for subsequent registration with the Federal Police.
The process begins with an online application form. It is mandatory to upload a photograph, signature, and digital versions of the required documents. Upon completion, the system generates a protocol number. The applicant must print and sign the Receipt of Visa Application Delivery (RER). The signed RER and original documents must be presented at the Brazilian Consulate where the application will be processed.
Post-Arrival Registration: Within 90 days of arrival, you must register with the Federal Police (Polícia Federal) to obtain your National Migratory Registration Card (CRNM).
This visa applies to researchers, scientists, post-doctoral students and visiting professors without an employment relationship with a Brazilian institution.
Apply directly at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/ui/#/servicos-estrangeiros
Holders may not hold local jobs but are permitted to receive stipends, travel expenses, or cash prizes for scientific innovation.
This category is for short stays (up to 90 days) only. You will not be able to revert to VITEM IV or any other visa within Brazil.
Apply directly at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/ui/#/servicos-estrangeiros
| Category | Nationalities | Cost |
| Visa Exempt | EU Member States, UK, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Bahamas, Japan, South Korea, China (30-days), Mercosur and Associate Members | None |
| e-Visa Required | United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico | $80.90 USD |
| Consular Visa | Other nationalities | Varies by country |
Warning: Visa regulations and consular fees are subject to change without notice due to updated international policies and bilateral agreements. Always verify current requirements with the nearest Brazilian Consulate before submitting your application.
If a foreign national arrives in Brazil without a CPF, they can obtain it at public banks, the "Poupatempo" centres, as well as the Correios (Post Office). At these locations, the applicant must present an original passport and provide essential information, including their residential address in Brazil and their parents' full names, as documented in their official records.
Upon arrival, all international students residing for more than 90 days must obtain a Registro Nacional Migratório (RNM). It is your primary civil identity in Brazil.
Registration consists of collecting your biographical and biometric data. This process generates a Unique Identification Number, which is the legal anchor that allows you to perform "acts of civil life," such as signing a rental lease or enrolling in university systems.
To issue your RNM, you must pay a government fee using a document called GRU. If you do not have a valid CPF yet, you are required to go in person to a Banco do Brasil branch to make this payment. You can use their ATMs to pay with a debit card from another bank. You can still pay with cash directly at the bank teller. The current fee is R$ 204,77.
To print and pay the GRU, you must complete the online form. In the field labelled "Codigo Receita STN", you must select or enter the code 140120.
To request your RNM and schedule your appointment, access the official portal: https://www.gov.br/pf/pt-br/assuntos/imigracao/registrar-se-como-estrangeiro-no-brasil/registro-de-imigrante-detentor-de-visto
You are legally required to register with the competent authorities within 90 days of your arrival in Brazil. Failure to do so is an administrative infraction. Individuals who fail to register within the legal timeframe face a fine ranging from R$100 to R$10000, depending on the severity and your economic condition.