Brazilian applicants · United States of America
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) for Brazilian citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Non-immigrant student visa for academic study at a SEVP-certified institution, with post-study OPT employment authorisation.
This page covers the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) specifically for Brazilian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Brazil. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- No fixed national clock publishedUse the current DOS — Student visa (F-1) service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
- Government fees
- SEVIS I-901 USD 350; DS-160 USD 185.
- Typical duration
- Duration of study (D/S); OPT up to 12 months; STEM OPT extension up to 24 additional months.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Bilateral context
- US E-1/E-2 Treaty
Consular processing: São Paulo / Rio de Janeiro / Brasília
Tourist entry vs. this route
Brazilian nationals require a visa for any entry into United States of America. The F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for Brazilian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
No fixed national clock published
DOS — Student visa (F-1) does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route.
Use the current DOS — Student visa (F-1) service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
Verified 10 September 2026 · DOS — Student visa (F-1)
Visa overview
The F-1 visa is issued to students admitted to an SEVP-certified US academic institution. After completion, F-1 students may apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT); students with qualifying STEM degrees can extend by 24 months (STEM OPT), for a total of up to 36 months of post-graduation employment authorisation.
Additional sources
Primary source
ICE SEVP — Study in the States ↗ · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Acceptance at an SEVP-certified institution issuing Form I-20.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Sufficient financial support for tuition and living costs for the first year.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Genuine non-immigrant intent at consular interview.U.S. Department of State ↗
Common blockers
- !Insufficient funding evidence at consular interview.U.S. Department of State ↗
- !Incomplete SEVIS registration.
Typical evidence
- ·Form I-20 from SEVP-certified school.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ·Bank statements, sponsor affidavits, scholarship letters.
- ·Evidence of ties to home country.U.S. Department of State ↗
Application pathway
Receive I-20 from SEVP-certified school
Institution issues the I-20 after admission.
Pay SEVIS I-901 fee and complete DS-160
Schedule consular interview.
Maintain status during study
Meet full-course-of-study and reporting requirements.
OPT / STEM OPT application
Apply for post-completion OPT, and STEM OPT extension where eligible.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United States. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse Study in the States ↗
Students and SEVP-certified schools use this DHS page to understand I-20, SEVIS, and status steps.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security · verified
- ApplyApplicantComplete DS-160 ↗
F-1 visa applicants outside the United States use DS-160 for the consular visa application.
U.S. Department of State · verified
Other United States of America routes covered for Brazilian applicants
O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics (O-1A) or the arts/film/television (O-1B).
EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
Third-preference employment-based green card requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
J-1 Exchange Visitor
Exchange visitor visa covering academic scholars, students, trainees, interns, researchers, au pairs, and other exchange programs.
K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen
Non-immigrant visa allowing the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then apply for a green card.
Not sure United States of America is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer study routes that Brazilian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Brazilian citizens eligible for the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)?+
Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) is set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Brazilian applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do Brazilian applicants typically file the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)?+
São Paulo / Rio de Janeiro / Brasília. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Brazilian applicants need a tourist visa for United States of America as well?+
Brazilian nationals require a visa for any entry into United States of America. The F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How long does the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) take to process from Brazil?+
DOS — Student visa (F-1) does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route. Use the current DOS — Student visa (F-1) service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying. Brazilian applicants usually file via São Paulo / Rio de Janeiro / Brasília, and appointment or post-specific backlogs can add to the wait. Source: DOS — Student visa (F-1), verified 10 September 2026.
Does F-1 OPT require a specific employer?+
Standard post-completion OPT does not require a specific employer at filing, but work must be directly related to the student’s major area of study. STEM OPT requires employment with an E-Verify employer and a formal training plan (Form I-983).
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Last checked: 8 July 2026