The United States offers Brazilian students a wide range of academic programs, institutions, and campus experiences. To study in the United States from Brazil, you must gain admission to an SEVP-certified institution, obtain your Form I-20, and apply for an F-1 student visa. This guide explains how to compare schools, prepare an application, understand the visa process, plan costs, and get ready to travel.
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Why Brazilian Students Choose to Study in the US
According to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors data, 17,277 students from Brazil studied in the United States in the 2024/2025 academic year, an increase of 2.4% from the previous year. Brazil was the 10th-largest place of origin for international students in the United States that year.
Wide Choice of Schools
The US has thousands of colleges and universities, including research universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and specialist institutions. Compare programs, location, support services, accreditation, and total cost.
Flexible Degree Options
Some undergraduate institutions let students explore subjects before declaring a major. Policies vary by institution and program, so check degree requirements and major-declaration deadlines.
Potential Practical Training
Eligible F-1 students may qualify for on-campus employment and, when authorized and eligible, practical training such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Work is not automatically permitted in every role; review official F-1 employment rules.
Brazilian and International Communities
Many US campuses have international student organizations and cultural groups. The size of a Brazilian community varies by campus and city, so research student associations and local services before choosing where to study.
Brazilian Students in the US by the Numbers
Source: IIE Open Doors 2025 country and area fact sheets. Categories describe students reported in the dataset; OPT is a training category, not a degree level.
Step 1: Choose a Program and School
Start by deciding what you want to study, your preferred location, and how much you can afford. As you compare options, check that:
- The school is SEVP-certified. Confirm the school in the US government’s SEVP School Search. SEVP certification allows a school to enroll F-1 students and issue Form I-20 through its designated school officials; it is not the same as academic accreditation.
- The institution and program meet your goals. Compare community colleges, four-year bachelor's programs, and graduate programs. Check transfer pathways, program length, and whether the institution is appropriately accredited. See this overview of the US education system.
- The full cost fits your budget. Account for tuition, mandatory fees, housing, food, insurance, books, transport, and currency fluctuations. Review the cost of studying in the US.
- You understand any post-study training limits. A STEM-designated degree may make a graduate eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension if all requirements are met. Not every science or technology program qualifies; check the official practical training guidance and STEM degree list.
Tuition snapshot: The College Board reported 2025–2026 average published annual tuition and fees of USD 31,880 for public four-year institutions for out-of-state students and USD 45,000 for private nonprofit four-year institutions. These are national averages for full-time undergraduates, not guaranteed prices or a full cost-of-attendance estimate. Actual tuition and fees vary by institution and program.
Step 2: Check Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary by institution, program, and applicant background. Use each school's official admissions checklist rather than assuming that one set of documents applies everywhere.
Tip: Brazil participates in the Apostille Convention, but do not assume that an apostille is required or will replace every document or translation requirement. Follow the receiving institution's instructions for transcripts, translations, notarization, and authentication. For guidance on choosing schools and applying, use the US Department of State’s EducationUSA network. You can also review US universities that don't require the SAT.
Step 3: Apply and Get Your Form I-20
Apply directly to the institution or through ApplyBoard where available. Many US colleges have fall entry in August or September and some offer spring entry in January, but deadlines and intakes vary. Review the US intake guide and each institution’s admissions calendar.
After admission, the school will explain the documents it needs to verify your ability to fund your studies. If you meet the requirements, its designated school official can issue your Form I-20, which includes your SEVIS ID and program information. Check your personal details and program dates carefully. Learn more from the official Form I-20 guidance.
Step 4: Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
Most new F-1 students must pay the USD 350 SEVIS I-901 fee before the visa interview. Pay through the official I-901 SEVIS fee website, using the information on your Form I-20. Save the payment confirmation. Check the official ICE I-901 SEVIS fee page for current rules and exemptions.
Step 5: Apply for Your F-1 Student Visa
For academic study at a college or university, most students need an F-1 visa. Vocational or other nonacademic study may require a different category, such as M-1. Follow the official student visa application instructions and the latest instructions from the US Embassy or Consulate in Brazil.
- Complete Form DS-160. Submit the online nonimmigrant visa application and keep the confirmation page.
- Pay the visa application fee. The State Department currently lists a USD 185 application processing fee for F-category visas, but confirm the current amount, payment method, and any additional applicable charges on the official visa fees page and local consular instructions before paying.
- Schedule the required appointments. Follow the current Brazil-specific booking process. Do not assume every applicant must book the same combination of appointments; the process and interview-waiver eligibility can change.
- Attend the interview if required. Appointment availability and processing times vary by post. Check the official student visa page and the relevant US mission's website for current locations and instructions.
Important: F-1 applicants are subject to online-presence review, and the US Department of State instructs covered applicants to set social media profiles to public or open. Requirements can change, so review the Department’s latest screening and vetting announcement. Most applicants should expect an in-person interview unless they qualify for an applicable exception; a consular officer may still require an interview.
Read the Complete US Student Visa Guide
Review the documents, fees, and steps involved in applying for an F-1 visa.
Step 6: Plan How to Pay for Your Studies
- Institutional scholarships: Some US institutions offer merit-based awards or other financial assistance to international students. Availability, eligibility, and deadlines vary. Check each institution’s official financial aid page and apply before the relevant deadline. You can also search scholarships on ApplyBoard.
- Fundação Estudar: Review the current eligibility, application cycle, and terms of the Fundação Estudar Líderes Estudar program directly. Do not assume every award covers study in the US or every degree level.
- EducationUSA: The EducationUSA network provides advising about US higher education, applications, and funding options. Services and fees vary by center. Find a center through the official EducationUSA advising center directory.
- Graduate funding: Some master's and doctoral programs offer assistantships, fellowships, tuition waivers, or stipends, but these are competitive and not available in every program. Confirm funding terms directly with the university.
Step 7: Prepare for Your Arrival
- Travel dates: New F-1 students generally may enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the program start date listed on Form I-20. Check the State Department’s student visa guidance before booking travel.
- Documents: Keep your valid passport, visa, Form I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, admission information, and relevant financial documents accessible in your carry-on. A visa allows you to travel to a US port of entry; it does not guarantee admission, which is determined by US Customs and Border Protection.
- Pre-arrival planning: Arrange housing, understand your institution’s health insurance requirements, plan access to funds, and check transport to campus. See the US pre-arrival guide.
- Work rights: Eligible F-1 students may generally work in qualifying on-campus jobs for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during eligible school breaks. Off-campus employment and practical training require separate eligibility and authorization. Read the official F-1 employment rules before accepting work.
Stay Informed About US Student Rules
US immigration and visa policies can change. Distinguish proposed rules from final rules and effective requirements. Before making a decision, check official updates from the US Department of State, ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program, and USCIS OPT guidance. ApplyBoard articles can provide context, but official government sources should be used to confirm current requirements.
- Proposed OPT fee: what F-1 students need to know — check the article’s update date and verify whether any proposal has become final.
- US Duration of Status rule update — verify the latest status with official government sources before relying on prior proposal or postponement coverage.
Your Timeline
This is a planning guide, not a government processing-time guarantee. Begin earlier if your program has competitive admissions, scholarship deadlines, credential evaluation, or lengthy visa appointment waits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most students attending an academic college or university need an F-1 visa. Certain vocational or nonacademic programs may require an M-1 visa, while exchange programs may use the J-1 category. Confirm the correct category on the official US student visa page.
Visa appointment locations and procedures can change. Use the official US Mission to Brazil visa website to confirm the current post, appointment process, and any required service-center visit before booking travel.
Not always. Some colleges are test-optional or do not require SAT/ACT scores, while others require or consider them. Check the admission policy for the specific institution, program, and entry term.
Eligible F-1 students can generally work in qualifying on-campus jobs up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. CPT, OPT, and other off-campus work have separate requirements and may need authorization before employment begins. See ICE’s employment guidance.
Entry and visa restrictions can change and may depend on nationality, visa category, and individual circumstances. Do not rely on a general statement that a country is or is not affected. Before applying or travelling, check the latest US Department of State visa announcements and the US Mission to Brazil visa website.
Studying in the US from Brazil takes planning, from comparing schools and preparing admission documents to arranging funding and applying for a visa. Start early, follow your institution’s instructions, and verify visa and employment rules through official US government sources before making travel or work plans. ApplyBoard can help you explore study options.
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