Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 7/15/2009

Question
hello, first of all im mexican so i know i need a visa, so i was wondering if you could help me out with some doubts.

im planning on going to brazil humaita rio do janeiro? to train in a gracie academy (brazilian jiu jitsu), so can i apply for a students visa? or an athletes one?, could you tell me some tips? or information about renting an apartment near there?(going solo,but willing to roomshare with someone)? i want to stay for over a year, is that possible? i read it was possible for max 1 year in students visa?



any information will be appreciated.

Answer
You cannot get an athletes visa unless you are a professional. You can only get a student visa at an accredited college or university, not what is essentially a private gym.

You can possibly get a cultural visa, but that is usually for college students. So you are stuck on a tourist visa, which you can renew once after three  months, giving you six months here.

I dont know what kind of money you are traveling with, and I do not know what the cost of living is like in Humaita, so renting I cannot help you with. If it is in a city, then you can rent out furnished apartments in apart-hotels known as "flats".  How is your portuguese? HOw are you going to navigate paying bills and figuring out where to go and where to live? Do you have anyone here, even the owner of the school, who can help you?

Good luck.

K