Temporary visa (VITEM IV, now part of the VTRE category under new migration law) for international students enrolled in academic programmes at Brazilian universities registered with the Ministry of Education (MEC). Covers undergraduate, postgraduate, language courses, exchange programmes, internships, and research. Brazilian public universities offer free tuition to all students.
Federal and state public universities (USP, UNICAMP, UFRJ, etc.) charge NO tuition to any student regardless of nationality. Private universities: R$15,000–R$60,000/yr ($3,000–$12,000). Medical/dental programmes at private institutions can exceed this. Brazil is one of the few countries offering free public university education to international students.
VITEM IV holders may engage in paid work as long as working hours are compatible with their course load. Paid internships (estágio) that are part of the course curriculum are explicitly permitted. The official position from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states employment is allowed if compatible with studies. Must not engage in activities incompatible with student status. Regulations are ambiguous — consult the Federal Police for specific guidance.
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence for Work (VTRE Trabalho) | Work permit | 24mo-48mo | Any | Unrestricted | Yes |
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celpe-Bras (Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros) | Admission | Portuguese | Intermediário | Required for admission to Portuguese-taught programmes. Intermediário level minimum. Some programmes accept alternative proof of Portuguese proficiency. PEC-G students receive Portuguese language training before degree studies. |
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee | Application | $100 | One time |
| Federal Police Registration (CRNM) | Registration | $40 | One time |
Visa renewal at Federal Police within 30 days before expiry, with proof of attendance and academic progress. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Criminal record certificate must be issued within 90 days before application. Public universities have competitive admissions processes for international students. PEC-G (Programa de Estudantes-Convênio de Graduação) provides places at public universities for students from developing countries.
- Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV) (digital nomad visa)
- Retirement Visa (retirement)
- Brazilian Citizenship by Descent (descent)
- Brazil Fast-Track for Portuguese Speakers (naturalization)
- Brazil Standard Naturalization (naturalization)
- Brazil Citizenship by Marriage (marriage)
Last verified: May 3, 2026. Source