Jurisdiction — RS and SC only
The Porto Alegre consulate covers only two states. This is one of the most misrepresented jurisdictions in Brazil — many third-party sources incorrectly include Mato Grosso. The official consulate demarcation page lists only RS and SC.
| Consulate | States covered |
|---|---|
| Porto Alegre | Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina |
| São Paulo | São Paulo, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul |
| Brasília (Embassy) | DF, Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Acre, Amazonas, Roraima, Amapá, Pará |
| Rio de Janeiro | RJ, MG, ES, GO, TO + others |
| Salvador | BA, SE, AL, PE, PB, CE, RN, PI, MA |
If you live in Mato Grosso (including Cuiabá), apply at the Brasília Embassy — not Porto Alegre. Many guides incorrectly list MT under Porto Alegre. The official consulate page confirms RS and SC only.
All of Santa Catarina applies here. Residents of Florianópolis, Joinville, Blumenau, Itajaí, Chapecó, and everywhere else in SC must travel to Porto Alegre for their appointment — there is no Spanish consulate in Santa Catarina.
How to book your appointment
Porto Alegre uses an email-based appointment system — similar to São Paulo, not the cita previa portal used by Rio de Janeiro or the Bookitit system used by Salvador.
Email cog.portoalegre.vis@maec.es to request a visa appointment. The consulate's auto-reply will give you instructions on what to include and how to confirm your slot. Follow the auto-reply instructions exactly. For general queries: cog.portoalegre@maec.es.
Phone: +55 51 3321-1901. Consular hours: Mon–Fri 08:30–14:30 — slightly wider than most other Brazilian consulates.
Getting there: The consulate building has private paid parking — entrance from Rua Campos Salles (corner of Rua Guimarães Rosa). Four nearby bus stops on Av. Carlos Gomes and Av. Plínio Brasil Milano serve multiple lines including T11 (airport) and T2A.
Required documents
Submit originals and A4 photocopies of all documents. Portuguese-language documents are accepted without translation — the Polícia Federal criminal record check is the exception and requires a sworn Spanish translation. Documents in any other language need a sworn Spanish translation (tradução juramentada).
1
Visa application form (formulário de solicitação)
Original only — no copy required. Complete on a computer (not handwritten). Attach a 3x4cm colour passport photo on a white background. Include your full address with CEP and state, email, phone, planned travel dates, and exact course start and end dates. Sign at the bottom.
Use our form helper tool for field-by-field guidance.
2
Passport
Valid for the entire planned stay in Spain. Original plus one A4 photocopy of the biographic data page. Must have at least two blank pages.
3
RG or RNE
Registro Geral (RG) for Brazilian citizens, or Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros (RNE) for foreign residents. Original plus A4 copy. Must be valid for at least 180 days beyond the visa end date.
4
School acceptance letter (carta de admissão)
From your Instituto Cervantes accredited school in Spain. Original or digitally signed. Must state exact course start and end dates, tuition value, weekly class hours (minimum 20 in person), and Instituto Cervantes accreditation for language courses.
All schools on this site are Instituto Cervantes accredited. Enrol and save €500 →
5
Proof of financial means (comprovação econômica)
Minimum €600/month for the full stay. Submit all that apply to you: income tax return (declaração de IR — copy only); last 3 months' payslips (holerites) if employed (original + copy); last 3 months' bank statements for every account — current (corrente), savings (poupança), investments — signed and stamped by staff at a physical bank branch (original + copy).
⚠️ Internet banking printouts are not accepted for banks with physical branches. Visit your bank in person for stamped statements on every account you hold.
If sponsored by a family member: they provide a notarised Declaração de Manutenção with cartório-recognised signature, plus their complete financial documentation.
6
Health insurance (seguro de saúde)
From a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. No copayments, no deductibles, no waiting periods. No travel insurance. Must cover from entry date to return to Brazil. Original + A4 copy.
Verify at rrpp.dgsfp.mineco.es. We partner with Atlántida — DGSFP-registered. Get a quote →
7
Criminal record check — certidão de antecedentes penais Stays over 180 days
For courses over 180 days: Polícia Federal certificate from pf.gov.br, including passport number and CPF/RG or RNE. Apostille at a cartório. Submit: apostilled original + A4 copy + sworn Spanish translation + A4 copy of translation. Also provide apostilled checks from any country where you lived for 6+ months in the past 5 years.
⚠️ The PF check requires a sworn Spanish translation even though it's in Portuguese.
8
Medical certificate — atestado médico Stays over 180 days
For courses over 180 days: from any licensed doctor with legible CRM number. Signature cartório-recognised before apostilling. Must state the IHR 2005 wording. Apostille at a cartório on the doctor's signature. Valid 90 days from issue. Submit: apostilled original + A4 copy.
Apostille the document first — then make the A4 copy. Never copy before apostilling.
9
Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction
Utility bill (electricity, water, gas, landline or internet) or rental contract showing your name and address in Rio Grande do Sul or Santa Catarina.
10
Visa fee payment
Paid in BRL at the consulate on the day of your appointment. Confirm the current BRL rate and accepted payment method (cash/PIX) when you email to book.
Step-by-step process
1
Enrol at an Instituto Cervantes accredited school
Get your carta de admissão confirming dates, timetable, tuition value, and Cervantes accreditation.
⏰ At least 3 months before course start
2
Get your Polícia Federal criminal check and apostille (stays over 180 days)
Apply at pf.gov.br — include passport number and CPF/RG. Apostille at a cartório. Get sworn Spanish translation.
⏰ Allow 2–3 weeks — start immediately
3
Get your medical certificate and apostille (stays over 180 days)
Any licensed doctor with CRM. Cartório-recognised signature, then apostille. Valid 90 days from issue.
⏰ Within 90 days of your appointment
4
Collect bank statements in person
Visit your bank branch for 3-month stamped statements on all accounts.
⏰ Close to your appointment — must be recent
5
Purchase Spanish health insurance
DGSFP-authorised insurer only. No travel insurance.
⏰ Before emailing for your appointment
6
Email for your appointment
Email cog.portoalegre.vis@maec.es — follow the auto-reply instructions. At least 2 months before your course start date.
⏰ At least 2 months before course start
7
Attend your appointment — Av. Carlos Gomes 222
Conjunto 301, Bairro Auxiliadora. Parking via Rua Campos Salles. Bring originals and A4 copies of everything. Pay fee in BRL.
⏰ Mon–Fri 08:30–14:30
8
Wait for processing — allow 6–8 weeks
Track at sutramiteconsular.maec.es. Madrid authorisation required. Do not book non-refundable flights until visa is in hand.
⏰ No non-refundable bookings until visa confirmed
Frequently asked questions
I live in Florianópolis / Santa Catarina — do I apply in Porto Alegre? +
Yes. The Porto Alegre consulate covers all of Santa Catarina. There is no Spanish consulate in SC, so residents of Florianópolis, Joinville, Blumenau, Itajaí, Chapecó and all other SC cities must travel to Porto Alegre for their visa appointment. Plan accommodation accordingly if making the trip from SC.
I live in Mato Grosso (Cuiabá) — is this my consulate? +
No. Despite many third-party sources saying otherwise, the Porto Alegre consulate officially covers only Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Mato Grosso residents apply at the Consular Section of the Spanish Embassy in Brasília.
Do I need to translate my documents into Spanish? +
No — Portuguese documents are accepted without translation. The main exception is the Polícia Federal criminal record check, which requires a sworn Spanish translation (tradução juramentada) despite being in Portuguese. Documents in any other language also need a sworn Spanish translation.
How does the email appointment system work? +
Email cog.portoalegre.vis@maec.es to request a visa appointment. The consulate's automated system will reply with instructions — typically asking you to confirm your details and the type of visa. Follow the auto-reply exactly to secure your slot. Do not book flights or finalise travel plans until you have a confirmed appointment date.
How long does processing take? +
Student visas require prior authorisation from Spain's central immigration services in Madrid, which extends the standard 1-month window to around 6–8 weeks in practice. Apply at least 2–3 months before your course start date and do not purchase non-refundable travel until you have the visa physically in your passport.