Do you need a student visa?
Under 90 days — no visa needed. Brazilian citizens are visa-exempt for Spain and the entire Schengen area for stays up to 90 days. A short intensive course or summer programme doesn't require any consulate visit.
Over 90 days — student visa required. Any course lasting more than 90 days requires a national student visa applied for before you travel. This applies to all full-year intensive Spanish language programmes at Instituto Cervantes accredited schools.
Portuguese documents don't need translating. The São Paulo consulate officially confirms that documents written in Portuguese are accepted without translation. This is a significant advantage over applicants in non-Portuguese/Spanish-speaking countries. Only documents not in Portuguese or Spanish need a sworn translation.
Jurisdiction — which consulate covers you?
Brazil has five Spanish consulates. You must apply at the one covering your state of residence. Make sure you apply to the right one — the consulate will reject applications from outside its jurisdiction.
| Consulate | States covered |
|---|---|
| São Paulo | São Paulo, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul |
| Rio de Janeiro | Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais |
| Brasília | DF, Goiás, Tocantins, Rondônia, Acre, Amazonas, Roraima, Amapá, Pará |
| Salvador | Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, RN, Ceará, Piauí, Maranhão |
| Porto Alegre | Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso |
How to book your appointment
The São Paulo consulate does not use an online booking system for visa appointments. You book by email, and the consulate reviews your request before confirming a slot. Send an email to cog.saopaulo.vis@maec.es with the following information for each applicant:
Full name, CPF number, email, phone number, date of birth, visa type (estudos/student), and proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction (utility bill — electricity, water, gas, landline, internet — or rental contract). Also attach a photo of yourself holding your passport (as if taking a selfie showing both your face and the passport).
⚠️ If you urgently need a visa and can't get an appointment in time, email the same address with your acceptance letter, passport, and proof of residence at least 30 days before your course starts — the consulate may accommodate urgent cases.
Passport collection hours: 13:00–14:00 at the consulate reception.
Required documents
Submit originals and A4 copies (photocopies, not photographs) of all documents unless otherwise noted. Documents in Portuguese are accepted without translation. Documents in other languages need a sworn translation into Spanish.
1
Visa application form (formulário de solicitação)
Original only — no copy required. Must be completed on a computer (not handwritten). Attach a recent 3x4cm colour passport-size photo on a white background. Include your full address with CEP and Brazilian state, ID document number, planned travel dates, and 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 (Brazilian identity document)
Registro Geral (RG) for Brazilian citizens, or Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros (RNE) for foreign residents. Original plus one A4 copy. Must be valid for at least 180 days after the end of the visa period requested.
This is a São Paulo-specific requirement — not all consulates require the Brazilian ID document separately.
4
School acceptance letter and proof of enrolment (carta de admissão / matrícula)
From your Instituto Cervantes accredited school in Spain. Must be original or digitally signed electronically. Must clearly state: exact course start and end dates, course value (tuition fee), timetable and class hours (minimum 20 classroom hours per week), and that the course leads to a certificate or qualification.
⚠️ For language courses specifically, the acceptance letter must explicitly state that the school holds Instituto Cervantes accreditation. The consulate checks this against the official registry.
All schools on this site are Instituto Cervantes accredited. Enrol and save €500 →
5
Academic transcript or qualification (histórico escolar / diploma)
Your most recent Brazilian academic certificate or transcript, apostilled at a cartório. Original apostilled document plus one A4 copy of the apostilled original. The apostille must be done before copying — copy the apostilled document, not the original before apostilling.
This is unique to São Paulo — most Spanish consulates don't require academic credentials for a language course visa.
6
Financial proof — comprovação econômica Most detailed requirement
São Paulo has more extensive financial documentation requirements than most other consulates. The consulate wants to see not just your balance, but the sufficiency of your funds and the origin of the money. Submit ALL of the following that apply to you:
Income Tax Return (Declaração de Imposto de Renda) — copy only, no original required
If self-employed or business owner: contrato social da empresa (copy only)
If employed: last 3 months' payslips (holerites) — original plus A4 copy
All bank statements for last 3 months — signed and stamped by the bank (original plus A4 copy) for every account you hold: current account (conta corrente), savings (conta poupança), investment account (conta de investimentos), and any other accounts
⚠️ Internet banking statements are NOT accepted — unless your bank has no physical branches. You must go to your bank in person and request statements signed and stamped by a bank employee. This applies to all accounts.
If financially dependent on a family member: they must provide a notarised Declaração de Manutenção (maintenance declaration) with cartório-recognised signature plus ALL of the above financial documents in their own name. Their declaration states that they will cover your costs during your studies in Spain.
7
Health insurance (seguro de saúde)
From a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. Must cover all risks of Spain's public health system with no copayments, no deductibles, and no waiting periods. Travel insurance is not accepted. Must cover your entire stay from entry date to return to Brazil. Original plus A4 copy.
Verify your insurer is authorised at rrpp.dgsfp.mineco.es — enter the insurer's name in the "Denominación – Que Contenga" field. We partner with Atlántida — a DGSFP-registered insurer. Get a quote →
8
Medical certificate — atestado médico Stays over 180 days
For courses over 180 days. Must be issued by a licensed Brazilian doctor with a legible CRM number and their signature recognised at a cartório. Must follow the official São Paulo consulate template (available in the consulate's requirements PDF). Must state: "[Name] não padece de nenhuma das enfermidades que podem ter grave impacto sobre a saúde pública de acordo com o estabelecido no Regulamento Sanitário Internacional de 2005." Must be apostilled at a cartório and copied — apostille first, then copy. Valid for 90 days from issue date.
⚠️ The consulate provides an official template for the medical certificate — use it. The doctor's signature must be cartório-recognised before apostilling. Apostille the document first, then make the copy.
9
Criminal record check — certidão de antecedentes penais Stays over 180 days
For courses over 180 days. Issued by the Brazilian Federal Police (Polícia Federal). Must include your passport number, and either your RG/CPF (for Brazilian citizens) or RNE (for foreign residents). Must be apostilled at a cartório. Present: apostilled original + A4 copy of apostilled original + Spanish translation + A4 copy of translation. If you've lived outside Brazil for 6+ months in the last 5 years, also provide apostilled criminal records from those countries.
Request your Polícia Federal certificate at pf.gov.br. Online certificates are accepted if they include your passport number plus CPF/RG or RNE. Apostille at a cartório after receiving the certificate.
10
Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction
A utility bill (electricity, water, gas, landline, internet) or rental contract showing your name and address in São Paulo state, Paraná, or Mato Grosso do Sul.
11
Visa fee payment
Paid in Brazilian reais (BRL) by cash or PIX on the day of your appointment. No card payments accepted. Check the current BRL fee at the consulate's official fees page before attending — the amount is updated periodically.
PIX key for payment: confirm with the consulate when booking your appointment.
The apostille process in Brazil
Brazil is a signatory to the Hague Convention. The apostille in Brazil is done at a cartório (notary office) — any cartório can apostille documents. The key rule São Paulo emphasises: apostille first, then copy. Submit the apostilled original plus one A4 copy of the apostilled document — not a copy of the original before apostilling.
Medical certificate — doctor's cartório signature recognition → apostille at cartório → A4 copy of apostilled document
Criminal record check — apostille at cartório → A4 copy → sworn Spanish translation → A4 copy of translation
Academic transcript — apostille at cartório → A4 copy of apostilled document
Declaração de Manutenção (if using family sponsorship) — cartório signature recognition → apostille → A4 copy
Note that documents in Portuguese do not need to be translated into Spanish. Only non-Portuguese documents require a sworn translation (tradução juramentada). The criminal record check from the Polícia Federal is an exception — it does require a sworn Spanish translation even though it's in Portuguese.
Step-by-step process
1
Enrol at an Instituto Cervantes accredited school
Get your carta de admissão confirming the course, exact dates, tuition value, timetable, and Cervantes accreditation. The school must be on the official registry.
⏰ At least 3 months before your course start date
2
Apostille your academic transcript
Take your most recent school/university transcript or diploma to a cartório for apostilling. First apostille, then make A4 copy.
⏰ Can be done any time — start early
3
Get your Polícia Federal criminal check and apostille it (stays over 180 days)
Request at pf.gov.br — include passport number and CPF/RG. Once received, apostille at a cartório. Then get a sworn Spanish translation (tradução juramentada). Present original apostilled + copy + translation + copy of translation.
⏰ Allow 2–3 weeks — start immediately
4
Get your medical certificate and apostille it (stays over 180 days)
Any licensed doctor with CRM. Must use the consulate's official template wording. Doctor's signature must be cartório-recognised first, then apostille the document. Valid 90 days from issue — time this close to your appointment.
⏰ Within 90 days of your appointment
5
Gather all financial documents
Go to your bank branch in person for stamped 3-month statements for every account. Collect payslips, tax return copy, and company documents if applicable. If a family member is sponsoring you, they need the same financial docs plus a notarised maintenance declaration.
⏰ Statements must be recent — collect close to your appointment
6
Purchase Spanish health insurance
From a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. No travel insurance. Must cover entry date to return to Brazil.
⏰ Before emailing for your appointment
7
Email for your appointment
Email cog.saopaulo.vis@maec.es with your name, CPF, email, phone, DOB, visa type (estudos), proof of residence in jurisdiction, and the selfie-style photo holding your passport. The consulate will email you a confirmed appointment date.
⏰ At least 2 months before course start
8
Attend your consulate appointment
Bring originals and A4 copies of all documents. Pay the fee by cash or PIX. The consulate may request an interview. Allow 1 month for processing — do not buy non-refundable flights until your visa is in hand. Collect passport during collection hours: 13:00–14:00.
⏰ Decision within 1 month
São Paulo-specific quirks
The most extensive financial documentation of any Spanish consulate in Brazil. São Paulo explicitly requires your income tax return, payslips, AND stamped bank statements for every account (current, savings, investments). The consulate is not just checking your balance — it's assessing the sufficiency and origin of your funds. Many applicants are caught out by internet banking statements. Go to your bank branch and get them stamped in person, for every account.
Fee payable by PIX. The São Paulo consulate accepts PIX for the visa fee — a Brazilian payment method not available at other Spanish consulates worldwide. Cash in BRL is also accepted. No cards.
Academic transcript is required — even for a language course. Unlike most Spanish consulates, São Paulo requires your apostilled academic credentials (most recent school or university transcript). This is item 5 on their official checklist and catches applicants by surprise.
Portuguese documents don't need translating. The consulate officially confirms: "Não se exigirá a tradução de documentos redigidos em português." Only the criminal record check requires a Spanish translation, despite being in Portuguese — this is specifically noted in the requirements.
Allow extra time. Student visas from São Paulo require prior authorisation from the central services in Madrid, which can take several additional weeks beyond the standard 1-month decision period. The consulate recommends applying at least 1 month in advance — in practice, 2–3 months before your course start is safer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to translate my Portuguese documents into Spanish? +
Generally no — the São Paulo consulate officially states that documents in Portuguese don't need translation. The main exception is the Polícia Federal criminal record check, which does require a sworn Spanish translation (tradução juramentada) even though it's issued in Portuguese. Any document in a language other than Portuguese or Spanish does need a sworn translation.
Can I use internet banking statements for financial proof? +
Only if your bank has no physical branches. For virtually all major Brazilian banks (Itaú, Bradesco, Santander, Caixa, Banco do Brasil, Nubank etc.) you must go to a physical branch and have your statements stamped and signed by a bank employee. The consulate explicitly rejects internet banking printouts for banks that have physical offices.
Why does the consulate require my academic transcript for a language course? +
It's a São Paulo-specific requirement. The consulate uses your academic background to assess the coherence of your study plans and your ties to Brazil. Present your most recent qualification — secondary school certificate, university transcript, or degree certificate — apostilled at a cartório.
How long does processing actually take? +
The legal maximum is 1 month from submission. However, student visas from São Paulo require prior authorisation from the central immigration services in Madrid, which adds extra time. In practice, allow 6–8 weeks from submission to having your passport back. Apply at least 2–3 months before your course start date. Do not buy non-refundable flights until you have the visa.
I live in São Paulo state but I'm not Brazilian — do I apply here? +
Yes. The consulate accepts applications from anyone legally resident in its jurisdiction — São Paulo state, Paraná, or Mato Grosso do Sul — regardless of nationality. If you're a non-Brazilian living in SP state, you apply at São Paulo. Instead of RG, provide your RNE (Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros). Your criminal record check should cover both Brazil (Polícia Federal) and your country of origin if you've lived there within the last 5 years.
I'm in SP state but my course starts in 3 weeks — is it too late? +
It's very tight. Email the consulate immediately at cog.saopaulo.vis@maec.es explaining the urgency, and attach your acceptance letter, passport, and proof of residence. The consulate may accommodate urgent cases if contacted at least 30 days before the course start. However, even if you get an appointment quickly, the processing time still includes the Madrid authorisation step — it may not be possible to complete in time.