Before arrival

🤝ADMISSION

São Carlos Physics Institute – IFSC

Since its inception in 2011, the IFSC CCNInt (National and International Cooperation Commission) has awarded more than 30 fully funded, eight-week exchanges to students from around the world. During the exchange, each student conducts a research project in one of several areas, ranging from structural biology to astroparticle physics. The work is supervised by an IFSC professor and offers the visiting student the opportunity to familiarize themselves with a new topic or discover whether the chosen research area truly meets their expectations.

The registration form can be accessed using the following links:

International Guest Professor

Foreign Students & Post-Docs

São Carlos Chemistry Institute – IQSC

Information at this link.

São Carlos School of Engineering – EESC

The modalities are:

• Regular students: foreigners can enroll in undergraduate or postgraduate courses by participating in selection processes.
• Undergraduate Exchange Programs:
  • Short-term mobility for laboratory research (up to 90 days);
  • Laboratory research internship — from 6 months to 1 year;
  • Regular exchange (Coursework — for 6 months or 1 year);
  • Double Degree Program (Check partner institutions, for up to 2 years).
• Graduate Exchange Programs: Laboratory Research Internship.
• Postdoctoral: focused on improving the level of scientific and technological excellence, EESC maintains a postdoctoral program also open to foreigners.
• Collaborating Researcher: The objective of the Collaborating Researcher Program is to encourage collaboration between researchers at EESC and those from other institutions, whether or not they are faculty members.
• Visiting Professor: support for visiting professors from other countries to participate in EESC projects that mainly involve relationships with undergraduate and graduate students.

For more information, visit this link.

Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences – ICMC

Those interested in registering with ICMC must gather the necessary documentation and complete the registration form available at the following link: <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerniGa3Z9cMzlXzifbKy1mh7eT0AtWKXEKNgjpO1MZgIWhEQ/viewform>.

Exchange programs can also last one or two semesters. For first-semester admission (February to June), documentation must be submitted by January 6th. For second-semester admission (August to December), documentation must be submitted by June 15th.

ICMC offers some courses in English to facilitate the integration of international students. To see the list of courses and research areas offered by ICMC and for additional information, please visit this website. You can also contact the International Cooperation Commission directly at <crint@icmc.usp.br>.

Institute of Architecture and Urbanism – IAU

Students interested in participating in an exchange program with the IAU must work with their home institution to gather the required documents and submit them by email. They will then receive a link to access the Mundus system.

Students may also stay for one or two semesters; for admission in the first semester (February to June), documentation must be submitted by September 31 of the previous year. For admission in the second semester (August to December), documentation must be submitted by April 31. Students must have Portuguese language proficiency at level B1.

The list of required documents, as well as other necessary information, can be obtained at this website. You can also contact the International Cooperation Commission directly at <ccintiau@sc.usp.br>.

📑 VISA

First of all, if the student interested in international mobility is a resident of one of the countries that are signatories to the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement, they will not need a specific visa to enter Brazil: it is possible to do so using only their identification document. To regularize their stay, they simply need to submit an application for temporary residence in Brazil.

In this case, you must complete the form available at this link, print it, and schedule an appointment at the nearest Federal Police office (for more information, consult the ‘Arriving in Brazil’ guide under the ‘CRNM’ section). On the day of your appointment, you must present the documents listed in this website — and at the end of the process, you will receive your National Migratory Registration Card (CRNM), which serves as both an identification document and proof of migratory status in Brazil.

For students and researchers coming from outside the Mercosur region, it is necessary to obtain either the Temporary Student Visa (VITEM IV) or the Temporary Researcher Visa (VITEM I) before entering Brazil.

In the case of academic mobility being carried out for a period of less than 90 days and there being no employment relationship with the university, the foreign student or researcher must request/present:

1. Visit Visa (VIVIS): when there is no diplomatic reciprocity agreement between Brazil and the foreigner’s country of origin;
2. Passport: when there is a diplomatic reciprocity agreement between Brazil and the foreigner’s country of origin, a visa application will not be required. The foreigner must enter Brazil using a passport that remains valid for the entire period of study or research.

To learn more about the existence of diplomatic reciprocity agreements between Brazil and your country of origin, consult the General Framework for Visa Regimes for Foreigners Entering Brazil.

For academic mobility periods longer than 90 days, a temporary visa must be requested:

1. Temporary Study Visa (VITEM IV): for undergraduate and graduate students approved for academic mobility or regular courses at the university;
2. Temporary Research Visa (VITEM I): for faculty members, researchers, and postdoctoral fellows approved for academic mobility or research activities.

Visas are issued directly by the Brazilian Consular Offices closest to the foreigner’s place of residence. Access the complete list of foreign consular offices in Brazil and find out more.

To apply for one of the visas, the student must complete the application on this website.

Finally, the completed form must be saved and printed; the student must then schedule a visit at a Brazilian consular office, bringing the printed form along with the necessary documentation.

To find out what documentation is required for your visa application, we recommend contacting the relevant consular office directly. Generally, the following are required: a copy of the completed form, a valid passport, a recent photograph, a birth certificate, a criminal record certificate, proof of residence, travel insurance, documents demonstrating financial means and documentation proving the intended activities. However, the required documents may vary.

Some Brazilian consular offices offer online appointment scheduling. For these, you can try scheduling directly through the e-Consular system.

💉 HEALTH INSURANCE/VACCINATION

Health Insurance

It is mandatory to obtain health insurance that covers emergency medical expenses and repatriation of the body for the entire duration of stay in Brazil.

Vaccination

Proof of vaccination is not required for entry into Brazil. However, the Ministry of Health recommends that international tourists be up-to-date with their vaccinations before traveling, in accordance with the vaccination schedule of their country of origin or residence, particularly those against yellow fever, polio, measles and rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus.

🪪 CPF:

The CPF (Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry) is an essential document for any legal, financial, or asset-related activities in Brazil. Therefore, to open a bank account at a financial institution – or, more generally, to hold assets – you will need a CPF.

It’s not necessary to be physically present in Brazil to obtain a CPF. Foreigners can apply for the document directly in their home country, through a Brazilian Embassy or Consulate, which is strongly recommended.

To do so, you must complete the form available at this link. After completing and submitting the form, you must print it and deliver it to a Brazilian diplomatic office within 15 days, along with the following documentation:

1. Identity document accepted in the country of residence, which proves the individual’s parentage;
2. If the request is made by a legal representative, you must also provide the representative’s identity document and the corresponding power of attorney.

Appointments can be scheduled at a Brazilian consular office through the e-Consular system.

If you do not obtain a CPF in your country of residence, you may apply for one in Brazil; however, as a CPF is required for virtually all services available in the country, we strongly recommend obtaining it before traveling.

🏡 HOUSING

• Hotel

Upon arrival in São Carlos, if you haven’t yet decided on a place to stay, you can choose to stay temporarily in a hotel. Below are the hotels closest to USP São Carlos Campus 1:

• • Transamerica Fit São Carlos (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZH8239KejZxJiX8m8)
  • Indaiá Hotel Residence (https://maps.app.goo.gl/r4VG95gk1MjAPjKi9)
  • Marklin Hotel & Suites (https://maps.app.goo.gl/uZHzamb6He61bhTa9)
  • Central Park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/LNLAciN4fdfu3Psr9)
  • The Hill Hoteis Residence (https://maps.app.goo.gl/7oqT1BtbcThFKQB59)
  • Hotel Ype de São Carlos (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bmuTRHANGDKQGnse7)
  • Hotel Anacã São Carlos (https://maps.app.goo.gl/zshEbheYQZYJDjGP6)

We recommend that you review feedback and opinions from others to choose a location that best suits your needs.

• Property rental

Renting can be done directly with the owner or through a real estate agent. In São Carlos, some real estate agents are:

• • Imobiliária Cardinali (Cardinali Real Estate)
    https://www.cardinali.com.br/
    (16) 2107-8000
  • Roca Imóveis (Roca Real Estate)
    https://roca.com.br/
    (16) 3373-5000
  • Center Imóveis (Center Real Estate)
    https://www.centerimoveis.com/
    (16) 3373-4040
  • Imobiliária Predial (Predial Real Estate)
    https://predialsaocarlos.com/
    (16) 2106-2361
  • Companhia do Imóvel (Real Estate Company)
    https://www.ciadoimovelsaocarlos.com.br/
    (16) 2107-8004

Real estate agencies generally establish certain requirements for renting houses or apartments, and may request:

• • Personal documents, such as identity document and CPF;
  • Proof of income;
  • Rental guarantee (deposit or guarantor);
  • Contract signing.

You can browse available properties directly on the real estate agency’s website or contact a real estate agent using the phone numbers provided. However, this option may not be ideal for students planning to stay in Brazil for just a few months, since leases usually require a minimum one-year term.

• Student residence (“repúblicas”)

Another common option is to live in a student residence (“república”), that is, a house or apartment shared by university students who split rent and utilities.

Living in a “república” is typically more affordable than living alone and also provides more interaction with other students, who can help in the process of adapting to the city and becoming familiar with it.

While it is a shared environment and may therefore involve some privacy concerns, the experience generally offers greater interaction, friendship, and mutual support among students.

More information about “repúblicas” in São Carlos can be found at <https://www.facebook.com/groups/republicasdesaocarlos/>

• Student housing (“alojamento”)

The USP campus in São Carlos has five student housing blocks (“alojamentos”), providing a total of 252 places. These residences are intended for students with limited financial means and are self-managed by the residents, who also serve on the committee responsible for selecting new occupants.

Student housing may temporarily accommodate exchange students in need. If you are interested, we recommend contacting representatives of CAASO (Armando de Salles Oliveira Academic Center – https://minervacaaso.wordpress.com/), the student representation body for USP São Carlos students, directly.

💰 COST OF LIVING

The cost of living can vary depending on lifestyle choices, neighborhood, and shared housing options. Neighborhoods closer to USP tend to have higher rents, but can make up for it in terms of convenience. Sharing a house or apartment is cheaper, while living alone tends to be more expensive.

Rent, if you choose to live alone, can cost around BRL 1,200.00 to BRL 2,000.00 per month. However, if you choose to live with others in a “república”, this price could be considerably lower (around BRL 800.00 per month).

Utility bills (water, electricity, gas and internet) can cost, for one person, around BRL 300.00 to BRL 400.00 per month – which, again, could also be reduced if you share housing.

Groceries can vary between BRL 500.00 and BRL 800.00 per month for one person – which, however, can be reduced considerably if you choose to have your meals at the university restaurant (“bandejão”), as explained below.

Additionally, public transportation (bus) passes cost BRL 2.63 per trip for students. This can add up to over BRL 100.00 at the end of the month if you choose to travel daily by bus.

Finally, leisure expenses, as well as other miscellaneous expenses, can vary considerably depending on the student’s standard of living.

Considering all these issues, a general estimate of the cost of living as a student in São Carlos is around BRL 1,500.00 to BRL 3,000.00 per month.

For more detailed information, you can consult the website <https://www.expatistan.com/pt/custo-de-vida/sao-carlos>.

💱 CURRENCY

Brazil’s official currency is the real (R$). Currency exchanges can be made at banks, authorized exchange bureaus, or travel agencies. The Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) recommends exchanging currency only at authorized institutions, and the official exchange rate can be found directly on its website. In general, exchanging money before traveling is usually more advantageous than doing so at airports or hotels. Furthermore, international credit and debit cards are widely accepted in the country.

For more information, check this website.

 

Electronic Declaration of Traveler’s Goods (e-DBV)

There is no limit to the amount of cash a Brazilian or foreign traveler can bring into Brazil. However, upon arrival in the country, if the traveler is carrying more than US$10,000.00 (ten thousand US dollars) in cash, or the equivalent in another currency, they must complete the Electronic Traveler’s Assets Declaration (e-DBV).
Submitting this declaration does not generate any tax implications in Brazil. The total amount in cash must be declared, excluding credit notes, checks, or traveler’s checks. The e-DBV can be completed online at this website.

For more information on the topic, check this website.