Student visa (6 months) to learn Portuguese in Rio

08/31/21

Welcome, Isha!

It is certainly possible to come to Brazil on a student visa to study Portuguese.   

The most serious barriers to obtaining a visa for Brazil are concern that candidates will not have the financial resources to support themselves while here (employment is not permitted), and that they will try to overstay their visas.  If you are accepted by a MEC-approved program and can satisfy the Consulate that you have sufficient funds and strong enough ties to India to guarantee your return, a visa should be possible.

Travel to and from Brazil is currently very complicated by the covid pandemic.   The pandemic is also very bad in India, and visas may not even be available at this time.  As the pandemic becomes better controlled in both countries,  keep checking the website of the nearest Brazilian Consulate for possible updates.

Personal security is always an issue in Brazil.  Practices that you probably already follow to stay safe will still be relevant in Brazil, especially being constantly aware of your surroundings.   Brazilian culture is fairly tolerant of sexual minorities.  Unfortunately, transwomen are often stereotyped as sex workers,  so you should be especially cautious after dark,  and be prepared to reject unwanted advances.

The cultural connections between Brazil and Goa are very old ones, so you'll probably see some familiar things in interesting new contexts.  Working hard to learn the language and remaining open to the culture,  you can be successful, and your Brazil experience can help advance your professional goals as a translator.  Good luck!

Thank you for your response, its very helpful!
Quick question: how do i prove that i have strong ties to India?

08/31/21

Some of the usual ways that people prove that they have reason to return to their home countries:

- being actively enrolled in a university or similar school;

- having a permanent job, to which the candidate needs to return;

- owning a home;

- being the principal breadwinner of a family.

Any combination of the above, or anything else that could convince the consular official that you only wish to go to  Brazil for your course, and then will go home.

Oh snap!
What university or job would give me a 6 months sabbatical to basically enjoy Rio?
And how am i supposed to be a homeowner and principal breadwinner of my family at the age of 23? my dad is not even retired
Can you suggest something that might actually work in my case considering i graduated already in 2021 electrical engineering and i intern at a company in the same field as my graduation? please help me out

08/31/21

Here in Brazil and in many other countries, many universities would give a student a six month break to study abroad.

Having a job offer from the company where you're interning for when you return would probably help.

Those are just examples.  You need to make the best case you can, based on the conditions of your own life.

Thank you so much for your inputs, highly appreciated. Have a nice day!