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Residence permit for study in Brazil

A residence permit for those coming to study, to take a traineeship or to take part in an academic exchange. It suits students on full-time programmes — from school and language courses to bachelor's and master's degrees — trainees under an agreement with an educational institution, and participants in exchanges with a foreign university. It is issued by the Federal Police and is tied to the course: on changing programme or institution the student notifies the authority. Part-time work is allowed during the studies.

Threshold
The fee for the residence permit is R$ 168.13. Issue of the CRNM card is R$ 204.77.
Processing time
From 130 to 180 calendar days.

Source: Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública — Autorização de Residência

Who obtains the permit — students, trainees and exchange participants

Brazil brings three different situations together in a single permit: full-time study, a traineeship, and participation in an exchange between universities.

Students on full-time programmes

  • Enrolled on a school or technical course, a bachelor's or master's degree, or a language course with a workload of 15 hours a week or more
  • The educational institution confirms the enrolment and, on renewal, academic progress as well
  • The permit is renewed annually while the studies continue

Trainees and exchange participants

  • Take a traineeship under a tripartite agreement between themselves, the educational institution and the host organisation
  • Take part in an academic or research exchange evidenced by a link with a foreign university
  • A scholarship or other payments under the exchange programme do not count as employment

When this programme is not suitable

The course is shorter than 15 hours a week, or it is a one-off programme with no formal enrolment

A tourist or short-stay visa is usually enough — no residence permit is required for such a visit

The aim is to earn money in Brazil rather than to study

The residence permit for work purposes (Autorização de residência para fins laborais), where the basis is an employment contract

The studies are entirely remote, with no move to Brazil

No residence permit is needed — remote study is possible without a Brazilian visa

You need to bring your spouse or children with you straight away

They file a separate application for a permit by family reunification — only once the student holds a valid status

What it costs

Fee for examination of the residence permit application (GRU code 140066)168,13 BRL
Issue of the CRNM card — Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório (GRU code 140120)204,77 BRL
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.372,9 BRL

Documents to gather

The full set is filed through the Federal Police's electronic system and supplemented with paper copies at the appointment in person.

  • A valid travel document or identity document
  • A birth or marriage certificate — where this is needed for assessment of the application
  • Two 3x4 photographs — if the biometric system is unavailable at the place of filing
  • The electronic application form from the Federal Police website, completed and signed
  • Criminal record certificates from the countries of residence for the last five years
  • A declaration on personal responsibility that there is no criminal record
  • Proof of enrolment on the chosen course from the educational institution
  • Proof of financial means — the applicant's own or those of the persons responsible — or a document on a scholarship
  • For trainees — the tripartite agreement between the trainee, the educational institution and the host organisation
  • For participants in an academic or research exchange — proof of the link with a foreign university
  • A medical report — for applicants who are minors
  • The receipts for the fees for the residence permit and for the CRNM card

How the process runs

Everything is done through the Federal Police website and its regional units.

  1. 1

    Completing the electronic form on the Federal Police website

    The application is filed through the electronic system on the Federal Police portal.

  2. 2

    Printing the requirement and gathering the documents

    The printed and signed requirement is supplemented with the full set — from the travel document to proof of enrolment and of financial means.

  3. 3

    Paying the fees

    The fee for examination of the residence permit application and, separately, the fee for issue of the CRNM card are paid.

  4. 4

    Attending a regional Federal Police unit in person

    The set of documents is filed in person at the Federal Police unit for the place of residence.

  5. 5

    Examination of the application

    130–180 calendar days

    The Federal Police and the Ministry of Justice examine the application and take the decision on issuing the permit.

  6. 6

    Receiving the CRNM card

    Once the application is approved the migrant registration is completed and the Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório is issued, confirming the right of residence for study.

Who you can bring with you

The permit is issued to the student alone — spouses and children join through a separate procedure.

Spouse or partner — with no restriction as to the form of the relationship
Files a separate application for a permit by family reunification, with the student holding a valid residence permit acting as the anchor person
The student's children, parents and siblings (relationship up to the second degree)
Are likewise entitled to arrange residence by family reunification on the basis of the student's valid permit

Renewal and the grace period

The permit is renewed annually until the studies end: each time, enrolment, academic progress, financial means and the absence of a criminal record for the period that has elapsed are evidenced afresh. Once the course is completed one further renewal may be obtained — for no more than 12 months — specifically to settle the formalities of obtaining the diploma rather than to continue studying.

Frequently asked questions about Residence permit for study

Is part-time work allowed while studying on this permit?
Yes, paid activity is allowed where it is compatible in timing with the course timetable. Trainees may also receive a scholarship and other payments under the programme, which do not count as employment income.
What should I do if I decide to change course or educational institution?
It has to be reported to the Federal Police: the permit is tied to a specific study programme, and a change of course requires the registration to be updated.
How long does examination of the application take?
From 130 to 180 calendar days from the moment the complete set of documents is filed with the Federal Police.
What happens to the permit once I finish the course?
Completing the course does not in itself extend the permit — but one further renewal may be arranged, for up to 12 months, specifically in order to complete the formalities of obtaining the diploma.
Would a short language course qualify for this permit?
Only if the workload of the course is 15 hours a week or more; shorter or one-off programmes fall outside this permit.

Other ways to move to Brazil

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Brazil.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.