Information for foreign students

Admission to Graduate Studies / Funding Agencies / Programs / Calls for Applications

Foreign students may enroll in the regular courses offered by PCM and apply for scholarships to pursue a Master’s or Doctoral degree. The main Brazilian funding agencies, the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), offer scholarships for international students. Thus, admission for this group can occur through:

  • Direct selection for PCM via general calls for applications held twice a year, or specific calls aimed at foreign applicants.
  • Agreements and partnerships established by PCM faculty members or UFRJ itself with partners for specific programs, such as joint supervision (cotutelle).
  • Calls for applications from Brazilian funding agencies, such as CAPES and CNPq, for Sandwich PhD programs. In these cases, the student completes most of their studies in their home country and stays in Brazil for a set period during the course.
  • International calls, such as the Postgraduate Student Agreement Program (PEC-PG), a partnership between CAPES, CNPq, and the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia.
  • Selection through agreements promoted by international funding agencies, such as The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in partnership with CNPq.

If international students have any questions about academic internships, cotutelle agreements, graduate admission, or any other academic matters, please contact: posgradpcm@gmail.com

Visa Information for Foreign Citizens

The visa regulations for foreigners entering Brazil are available on the Consular Portal:
https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/assuntos/portal-consular/vistos/informacoes-sobre-vistos-para-estrangeiros-viajarem-ao-brasil

PCM can provide support letters for students, researchers, professors, and technical staff from abroad who wish to undertake activities at PCM. In addition, PCM works closely with the UFRJ International Relations Office (CoRI), which can guide applicants on how to obtain a visa at Brazilian embassies in their countries and assist with administrative procedures at Brazilian institutions.

Brazil maintains a policy of reciprocity, granting foreigners the same treatment that Brazilians would receive in their home countries. For more information on administrative visa procedures, contact the Brazilian representation in your country of origin. The list of consular sections of Brazilian representations is available on the same portal.

Entry and Stay in Brazil

For information about entry and stay in Brazil, visit the Ministry of Justice and Public Security’s website:
https://www.gov.br/pt-br/temas/servicos-para-imigrantes

If you need to extend your student visa, please check the Federal Police website:
https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/prorrogar-estada-no-brasil

Legal Documents for Staying in Brazil

Upon arrival in Brazil, foreign students must obtain the required documents to legalize their stay and to receive any scholarship granted by a Brazilian funding agency, if applicable. For more information, visit:
https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/registrar-se-como-estrangeiro-no-brasil

Registration in the Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF)

The CPF (Individual Taxpayer Registry) is the registration maintained by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal), in which any individual, regardless of age or nationality, can enroll only once. Each person is uniquely identified by an 11-digit registration number.

CPF Registration in the Country of Origin

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), in partnership with the Receita Federal, has implemented a system that allows foreigners residing abroad to register for a CPF directly at Brazilian Consular Offices. Thus, foreign students approved to study at Fiocruz should request their CPF at the Brazilian Embassy/Consulate in their home country. This document is essential to complete registration and enrollment at Fiocruz.

To request CPF registration, please visit:
https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/inscrever-no-cpf-no-exterior

CPF Registration in Brazil

CPF registration can be done at the Receita Federal by the applicant or their legal representative. The CPF request can also be made at Correios (Post Office), Caixa Econômica Federal, or Banco do Brasil branches. The applicant must present their passport, proof of address, and pay the issuance fee. Afterwards, the request must be validated at the Receita Federal, which will issue a document with the CPF number.

National Migration Registry (RNM) / Temporary Residence in Brazil

According to Brazilian law, foreigners have up to 90 (ninety) days to apply for temporary residence in the country. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a daily fine and the inability to renew enrollment. This process is carried out through obtaining the National Migration Registry (RNM). Foreigners must access the Federal Police website:
https://www.gov.br/pt-br/servicos/registrar-se-como-estrangeiro-no-brasil

Check the required documents for each case and schedule an appointment online at:
https://servicos.dpf.gov.br/agenda-web/acessar

An appointment will be scheduled for the foreigner to attend the Federal Police office associated with their address, where they must present all original documents. If the request is approved, a protocol containing the RNM will be issued, followed by the issuance of the National Migration Registry Card (CRNM).

Opening a Bank Account in Brazil

Students are free to choose any bank and branch, unless otherwise specified by the funding agency for scholarship payments. Contact the bank directly for the list of required documents and procedures for opening a bank account for foreigners. Banco do Brasil (BB), the bank through which CAPES and CNPq pay scholarships, has a branch at the UFRJ Health Sciences Center (CCS), Rio de Janeiro (RJ). To open an account, contact Banco do Brasil’s customer service.

Insurance / Health / Vaccination

  1. a) Health Insurance

Fiocruz requires that foreign students obtain Health Insurance (Travel Insurance), which must be purchased in their home country before coming to Brazil. The policy must cover the entire period of the student’s stay in Brazil, including medical assistance, transportation, and medical repatriation. Choosing the insurance is the sole responsibility of the student. If the student already has health insurance in their home country, they should check with the provider about the possibility of extending the coverage to Brazil. The student should carefully review the contract, paying attention to required coverages, prices, conditions, and deadlines, and always carry the necessary documentation for emergencies.

  1. b) Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS)

All foreigners are entitled to use the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Register at the nearest health center to your residence.

  1. c) Adult Vaccination Center (CVA – UFRJ)

Located at the main entrance of the Health Sciences Center, the Adult Vaccination Center offers free vaccines included in the Ministry of Health’s calendar. Foreign students can bring their vaccination card at any time, even outside campaign periods, to update it according to the Brazilian vaccination schedule.

Service hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Housing in Rio de Janeiro

UFRJ offers student housing located on Fundão Island, next to the Health Sciences Center, where PCM is located:
https://ufrj.br/ensino-e-pesquisa/assistencia-estudantil/residencia-estudantil/

Additionally, another very popular residential area among PCM students coming from outside Rio de Janeiro is Ilha do Governador, where it is possible to find housing in safe locations at more affordable prices. The average commuting time between Ilha do Governador and CCS is 20-40 minutes by public transport.

Contacts and Social Media for Foreign Students at Fiocruz

Association of Postgraduate Students of UFRJ
The representative body for UFRJ postgraduate students. Check out the APG website and Facebook page:

Master/PhD Programme in Morphological Sciences

Contributing for the formation of a scientist/researcher of high level, competent, compromised with the importance of the scientific activity for Brazilian development.