Arriving in Brazil

👔 PRESENTATION

There is no standardized list of documents required by the educational institutes upon arrival in Brazil. Therefore, they should provide this information in advance.

If this information has not been provided – or if you have any questions regarding this data – we recommend that you contact the International Cooperation Commissions directly, whose email addresses are as follows:

EESC: <ccint@eesc.usp.br>,

IAU: <ccintiau@sc.usp.br>,

ICMC: <crint@icmc.usp.br>,

IFSC: <ccnint@ifsc.usp.br>,

IQSC: <ccint@iqsc.usp.br>.

🪪 CRNM

CRNM is the acronym for ‘Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório’ (National Migratory Registration Card), which serves as the identity document for foreigners in Brazil, proving the regularity of their migratory status.

For foreigners holding a temporary visa – such as exchange students – the registration period is 90 days. The required documents are as follows:

• Valid passport or another document verifying identity and nationality;
  • It’s important that the document contains both parents’ names. If not, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other equivalent document may be required;
  • Documents must be legalized either through a Hague Apostille or Consularization and translated by a certified translator recognized in Brazil.
• Original visa form;
• A recent 3×4 photo, in color, white background, plain paper, from the front.

Once the student has obtained all the required documents, they must pay a fee of BRL 204.77. The payment form is available on this website, and can be completed using revenue code 140120. Once payment has been made, the student must make a request through the SISMIGRA system, filling in the data contained in this form.

After completing and saving the application form, an appointment can be scheduled with the Federal Police. This appointment will allow for the in-person submission of documents, including the completed form, the fee payment form, and the corresponding proof of payment. Appointments can be made at this website.

The Federal Police Bureau serving residents in the Municipality of São Carlos is located in a different Municipality: in Araraquara/SP, at Avenida Maria Antônia Camargo de Oliveira, No. 3013, Vila Ferroviária neighborhood.

To get to Araraquara/SP, you can use transport by bus or car.

By bus, it is possible to make the journey with three companies: Viação Piracicabana <https://www.piracicabana.com.br/home>, Viação Cometa <https://www.viacaocometa.com.br/> or VB Transportes <https://www.vbtransportes.com.br/>.

Generally, the bus trip takes between forty minutes and an hour. The trip starts at the São Carlos Municipal Bus Station (https://share.google/73uAfjGq1yDiyTEEL) and ends at the Araraquara Municipal Bus Station (https://share.google/bATXvwVmPOo8VUlLq).

Therefore, to reach the final destination, the student can choose to walk (the route is 3.3 km – 2.05 mi), take a public bus (not recommended, as it poses a risk of the student getting lost) or use a shared transport app (Uber, 99, InDrive or similar).

Alternatively, you may travel to Araraquara by car, either using ride-sharing apps (Uber, 99, InDrive, or similar), your own vehicle, a rented vehicle, or by carpooling with colleagues. In any case, if traveling by car, you’ll need to follow the Washington Luiz Highway (SP-310); GPS is recommended.

Traveling by bus is more economical, while traveling by car offers greater flexibility and comfort at a higher cost.

At the in-person consultation, the CRNM will be requested. The document takes up to 30 business days to be issued. You can check the issuance status at this link. When the document is ready, the system will provide a new form for collection. Once completed, you will need to return to the Federal Police Bureau.

More information can be found at this website.

💳 CPF

If you didn’t obtain your CPF before your arrival, you can apply for one in Brazil. To do so, you’ll need to fill out the form available at this link.

After completing the form, save it, record the service protocol number, and email it to <atendimentorfb.08@rfb.gov.br>, attaching your valid ID from your country of origin and your birth certificate. In the email, state that you intend to obtain a CPF (Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry) and request in-person service at the Federal Revenue Office in São Carlos.

The Federal Revenue Office in São Carlos is located at Rua São Sebastião, No. 1175, in the Parque Santa Mônica neighborhood. To get there from USP (area 1), you can walk approximately 1.5 km (0.9 mi), use ride-sharing apps (Uber, 99, InDrive, or similar), or take municipal buses.

If the student chooses to use municipal buses, it is recommended to use apps/websites that help map bus routes, such as Moovit (https://moovitapp.com/tripplan/sao_carlos-3464/poi/pt-br) or similar ones to find the most suitable bus routes and reduce the risk of getting lost in the city.

🚌 TRANSPORTATION

After landing in Brazil, it is strongly recommended that the remainder of the journey to the Municipality of São Carlos be made by bus.

It’s also possible to do this with a rental car; some agencies allow you to pick up your car in one municipality and return it in another. Notably, this is the case with Localiza (https://www.localiza.com/brasil/pt-br) and Movida (https://www.movida.com.br/). Both agencies have service stations in São Carlos (2856 Avenida São Carlos and 3134 Avenida São Carlos, respectively).

However, if you choose to travel by car, you must take a series of precautions:

First, it’s obviously recommended that students use GPS apps, especially if they’re arriving in São Paulo. Getting around the city is complex even for experienced drivers, and traffic jams are common.

Furthermore, not all foreign driver’s licenses are valid in Brazil. According to Contran Resolution No. 933/2022, the license issuing country must have signed an international agreement with Brazil. It is recommended that students consult this information directly with the Brazilian consulate in their country of origin.

Furthermore, even if the international agreement exists, the driver’s license presented must be valid and will only be accepted accompanied by the driver’s identification document and passport, stating the driver’s country of origin and date of entry into Brazil. The driver’s license will remain valid only for 180 days after entry into Brazilian territory.

Regarding bus travel, the instructions may change depending on the boarding location:

Landing at Guarulhos Airport:

You should take a bus or taxi to the Tietê Bus Terminal. If you choose to take a bus, the airport bus terminal is located on the east arrivals level of Terminal 2; specifically, the Airport Bus Service company offers transportation to the Tietê Terminal. Buses, however, may not be available at all times of the day.

If you choose another means of transportation, Guarulhos Airport has designated pick-up and drop-off locations for ride-sharing services (Uber). These locations are listed on this website: <https://www.aeroportodeguarulhos.org/transporte-de-uber-aeroporto-de-guarulhos/> .

At the Tietê Bus Terminal, go to the counter of one of the following companies: Viação Cometa or Piracicabana. There, you can purchase your ticket to São Carlos, SP.

Landing at Congonhas Airport:

You must take a bus or taxi to the Tietê Bus Terminal.

Regarding the bus, there are no known specific shuttle services to the airport. Therefore, it would be necessary to take a municipal bus; if this is the student’s chosen option, we recommend walking to Avenida Washington Luiz, at the Linneu Gomes stop, taking bus 175T-10 towards Santana until Rua Paineira do Campo, No. 45, and then walking to the Tietê – Vila Guilherme Bus Terminal.

Regarding ride-sharing services, Congonhas Airport has a dedicated area for pick-up and drop-off, located 300 meters from the arrivals area, which can make the journey more convenient for students.

At the Tietê Bus Terminal, go to the counter of one of the following companies: Viação Cometa or Piracicabana. There, you can purchase your ticket to São Carlos, SP.

Landing at Viracopos Airport:

You must take a bus or taxi to the Campinas Bus Terminal.

If you choose to travel by bus, the line identified by the name “193 – AEROPORTO DE VIRACOPOS” runs between the Airport and the Bus Terminal. We recommend that you check the bus schedule and route using apps/websites that help map bus routes, such as Moovit.

If you choose to travel by taxi or ride-sharing service, the meeting point is outside the airport – so special care is recommended.

Once at the Campinas Bus Terminal, go to the counter of one of the following companies: Viação Cometa or Piracicabana. There, you can purchase your ticket to São Carlos, SP.

Transportation to São Carlos:

Bus schedules to São Carlos can be found directly on the companies’ websites: <https://www.viacaocometa.com.br/> and <https://www.piracicabana.com.br/home>. On the websites, you must enter your city of origin in the “origin” field and São Carlos-SP in the “destination” field, in addition to indicating the date of your trip.

You can also purchase tickets in advance online, but we recommend caution if you decide to do so: flight and public transport delays are common, especially during peak times.

Upon arrival in São Carlos:

You must disembark in São Carlos at the municipal bus terminal. The bus terminal in the municipality is located across from Rua Jacinto Favoreto, 600 m (0.4 mi) from one of the entrances to area 1 of the campus.

The bus station is also located near several services that may be useful upon arrival, such as hotels, hostels, guesthouses, restaurants, and car rental services. We recommend that students research these locations beforehand if they intend to use them and already have their first destination in mind.

Day to day life in São Carlos:

To get around São Carlos, it is likely that the most used means of transport by you is public transport (bus).

Bus schedules and routes can be found directly on the company’s website (https://soutransportes.com.br/sao-carlos/linhas-e-horarios/), on its app (the “SOU – Sistema de Ônibus Urbano” app, available for Android; the “SOU – Sancetur” app, available for iOS), or through specialized websites and apps such as Moovit and Cittamobi. Alternatively, Google Maps also offers the same functionality (although with less accuracy).

In 2025, the fare per ticket will be BRL 5.25; however, in the State of São Paulo, students are entitled to pay a reduced fare for public transport (half the normal fare).

To pay for bus fares, students can use cash or cards issued by the public transportation company itself; these cards can be pre-loaded with cash, which can then be used to purchase tickets.

To acquire one of these cards, you must register on the website of the responsible company (https://saocarlos.pagmob.com.br/login), choose the option “new service”, “school”, “pre-scheduling”, fill in the necessary data and attach the requested documentation.

Specifically, you’ll need your ID (RG/CRNM), your CPF (Brazilian Social Security Number), proof of residence, and a certificate of enrollment. To obtain the certificate of enrollment, ask the undergraduate/graduate department office at your university for more information.

Afterwards, you will still need to go in person to the service point located at the Bus Terminal (Rua Jacinto Favoreto, 777 – Jardim Macarengo, São Carlos– SP) to collect the card, in addition to presenting any other document that may be requested by the company.

To recharge your card, you can go to one of the service points (https://soutransportes.com.br/sao-carlos/contato/) or use the responsible company’s app (“SOU Recargas” app, available on Android and iOS).

The card option is more common and more practical among public transport users.

🏦BANK ACCOUNT:

Opening a bank account is essential for carrying out basically any financial transactions in Brazil.

Specifically, there are two bank branches on campus: one from Banco do Brasil and another from Banco Santander, both located near the central square.

If the student prefers other banks, he or she will also be able to find the following branches near the campus:

• Federal Savings Bank (Caixa Econômica Federal) – Avenida Dr. Carlos Botelho, No. 1381 – Downtown, São Carlos – SP, 13561-003
• Banco Bradesco – Rua 15 de Novembro, No. 1169 – Downtown, São Carlos – SP, 13561-206
• Banco Itaú – Avenida Dr. Carlos Botelho, No. 1617 – Downtown, São Carlos – SP, 13560-250

Among all the available branches, you should choose the one that best meets your needs to open a bank account. We recommend the branches located on campus for easier access.

If you will receive a scholarship paid by USP, the bank account must be opened at Banco do Brasil, which is the institution currently used for payments made by the University.

In any case, there is a list of common documents required to open a bank account. International students typically need:

• CPF, copy and original.
• Passport with visa, copy and original.
• CRNM or federal police registration protocol, copy and original.
• Proof of current residence.
• Copy of registration certificate.
• If you are receiving a scholarship, bring a statement from the institution responsible for payment stating the type of scholarship and the amount.

Finally, it is important to note that Brazil has a unique and widely used payment method, organized by the Central Bank: Pix.

The Pix system allows you to transfer money between accounts instantly, available 24/7. Unlike other payment methods, Pix doesn’t charge fees for individuals in most situations, making it very convenient and accessible.

To use Pix, you must have an account with a financial institution. In the institution’s app, you can register a Pix key, which can be your email address, phone number, CPF, or even a random key provided by the system. This key acts as an “address” for receiving transfers.

To transfer money to someone, including for payment purposes, simply access your bank’s app, select “Pix,” and enter the Pix key of the person or company receiving the payment. You can also pay using QR Codes; in this case, you don’t even need to enter the transfer amount. Within seconds, the amount will be credited to the recipient’s account.

If you choose not to use Pix, traditional payment methods (cash and credit/debit cards) are also accepted in most situations.

⚠️ SAFETY TIPS

Upon arrival in Brazil, you should take basic safety precautions: avoid carrying large amounts of cash or displaying valuables; avoid walking alone in deserted areas; use your cell phone discreetly and always be aware of your surroundings; opt for discreet backpacks or bags, always closed and in front of your body in busy areas; and handle your personal belongings carefully in public areas.

It’s also worth remembering the emergency numbers: 190 (Police), 192 (Ambulance), and 193 (Fire Department). In São Carlos, you can also dial 153 to contact the Municipal Guard.

These measures apply specifically to larger cities, such as São Paulo, where you may arrive in Brazil. Unfortunately, the country faces certain public safety challenges, so it is important to take all possible precautions.

In São Carlos, security concerns are not as serious as in larger cities; nevertheless, it is advisable to maintain basic safety measures.

At home, always lock doors and windows when leaving – even for a short period – especially those with direct access to the street. When using public transportation, always be extra careful with your personal belongings.

On the USP campus, security issues are rarer due to the University Guard and the monitoring of entrances and exits. Still, it’s worth downloading the “Campus USP” app (available for Android and iOS), where you can report any security (or campus infrastructure) issues.

Another feature of the app is that users can activate an alert system while walking, which, in an emergency, alerts the University Guard by simply shaking their cell phone.

📲 APPS DOWNLOAD:

As shown above, there are several apps that are essential for your stay at USP.

The “Campus USP” app is important for your security; the “e-Card” app serves as a digital version of your student ID card; the “Cardápio+” app allows you to view the menu at the university restaurant and load credits onto your RUCARD.

There are also useful Federal Government apps for tracking your documentation requests (“Gov.br”). You can also download apps to track public transportation routes (“Moovit” or “Cittamobi”), recharge your bus card (“SOU – Recargas”), and bank apps to track your financial transactions.

However, some of these apps may be blocked depending on the country to which your phone is registered (in this case, your home country). Therefore, as soon as you arrive in Brazil, it is important to update your location in the app store.

To change your phone’s country settings, you must already be in Brazil and have a fixed address. Once you do, follow the instructions provided in the links below:

• For cell phones with Android operating system: <https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7431675?hl=pt>.
• For cell phones with iOS operating system: <https://support.apple.com/pt-br/118283>.