Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need visa to do selection process?
No. You may come to Brazil as a tourist, but be careful to not overstay the time allowed on your visa, or you’ll pay a fine and may not be allowed back into the country.
2. Is it possible to stay in college as long as the selection process?
Yes, the University has accommodations, but you would have to make a reservation at least one week in advance sending an email to alojamento
nupem.ufrj.br. Cost per day varies between R$ 15.00 and R$ 20.00 and it’s R$ 10 extra, per week, for bedding and towels.
3. Do I need Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners?
No, but you need to speak, write, read and understand Portuguese well in order to create your project and follow your professors, given that lessons start promptly. All teachers lecture in Portuguese – even the foreigners. 🙂
4. Can I ask for reconsideration if I don’t pass the test?
Yes, you can, but if you do not pass the second time you will be out of the process. Also, please remember that the process is eliminatory.
5. University gives some allowance to the candidates for the selection process?
No, you have to pay your own costs.
6. If approved, it is guaranteed a scholarship?
No. Scholarships depend on the funding institutions, special projects and placement.
7. What documents are required after approval?
You will need to validate your degree title within the Brazilian system. For this, you should seek out information about validation requirements with the corresponding department of UFRJ or another federal University if your particular degree does not exist at UFRJ. The values for this process can vary widely between universities reaching R$ 1,600 or more. The validation process takes some time and requires you to present your degree and a school transcript (and sometimes even class syllabuses) in Portuguese, translated by an “official” translator. These men can charge up to 200 R$ per page. It is thus imperative that you gather together your paperwork, find out what the appropriate department demands for validation and talk to the validation bureaucracy at the university you will use as soon as possible. It took one of our professors over a year to validate his documents, but there have supposedly been improvements in the process since then. You also must have your diploma stamped by your local Brazilian consulate. It’s a good idea to have them stamp your transcript, while you’re at it, just in case.
8. Besides validating a diploma, which other documents are important?
You can get a CPF through your local Brazilian consulate. You will also need to open a bank account. If you get a scholarship, they will need one in order to deposit your funds.
* A CPF is required to rent an apartment, open a bank account, etc..
9. Can I get the visa in Brazil or must return to my country?
You can apply for a student visa (which allows you to study and work for 2 years) at the Federal Police in the city where you will study. This requires an original Birth Certificate and a Certificate of Criminal Records from the police in your country of origin (typically, your home town’s police department). This procedure may be done over the internet but must be paid for at banks designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
You can request a Student Visa in your country by taking the requisite documents to the Brazilian Consulate. These include, among others, a statement saying you are actively registered in a Brazilian university or a statement which indicates the course’s acceptance period, usually stamped and signed by the Course Coordinator and notarized at a Notary Public.
* In Brazil it is very important to have an original identity document, on which should appear the full name of your parents. So if in your passport or identity does not have this, you should bring your original birth certificate.
10. How much are the most common procedures in Brazil?
*CPF: R$5,60
*Rate 140082 – Alien registration / restore registry: R$ 64,58
*Rate 140120 – Portfolio of foreign first registry: R$ 124,23
* Each stamp sheet for legalization, authentication or notarization: R$ 5,60
* For MERCOSUL visa or to register a student visa.
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