São Paulo

UK passport holders enter Brazil visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable once to 180 days total per 12-month period. You apply for the extension at a Federal Police office before your initial 90 days expire - our team handles the paperwork.

For stays beyond 180 days: You would need a VITEM II visa, which requires employer sponsorship. This is complex and relatively expensive, so most internships are structured within the 180-day window.

For paid positions: A formal internship with a stipend through a Brazilian company's estagio programme does not typically require a work visa if you're registered as an intern through an educational agreement. However, arrangements vary - we advise on a case-by-case basis.

What we do: We handle all visa guidance, extension paperwork, and ensure your placement is structured compliantly. The process is genuinely straightforward compared to most destinations.

Sao Paulo is safe in the right areas with the right habits. It's not uniformly dangerous, but it's not uniformly safe either. Think of it like any megacity - there are areas you'd walk around at midnight and areas you wouldn't visit in daylight.

Safe for interns: Vila Madalena, Pinheiros, Jardins, Vila Olimpia, Itaim Bibi, and Moema. These are where we place students and where you'll likely live. Street crime exists but is manageable with awareness.

Key safety habits: Don't use your phone on the street (phone snatching is the most common crime against foreigners). Keep a "decoy" old phone for navigation. Use Uber or 99 at night - they're cheap and safe. Don't wear jewellery or watches that attract attention. Keep your backpack in front of you on public transport.

Our local team provides a detailed safety briefing on arrival, is available 24/7, and stays in regular contact throughout your placement.

Let's be direct: you need at least basic Portuguese. English proficiency in Brazil is low compared to Northern Europe - roughly 5% of the population speaks it conversationally. Even in international companies, team meetings, lunch conversations, and social events will be in Portuguese.

Our recommendation: Start learning 3-6 months before departure. Use a combination of apps (Duolingo, Babbel), a tutor on iTalki (£5-15/hour), and Brazilian media (watch Netflix in Portuguese with subtitles). Aim for A2/B1 level by arrival.

The good news: Brazilians are extraordinarily warm towards foreigners who try to speak Portuguese. Even broken Portuguese earns genuine appreciation. And immersion accelerates learning dramatically - most students report a significant jump after 4-6 weeks.

Some of our placements at international tech companies do operate primarily in English. If Portuguese is a hard barrier, let us know and we'll match accordingly.

Vila Madalena: The creative, bohemian quarter. Street art, live music, independent bars. Popular with young Brazilians and some international visitors. Shared room: £200-280/mo. Good for creative and social enterprise interns.

Pinheiros: Adjacent to Vila Madalena but slightly more polished. Great restaurants, co-working spaces, and proximity to Faria Lima (the financial district). Shared room: £220-320/mo.

Vila Olimpia / Itaim Bibi: The corporate and tech hub. Most fintech and business placements are here. Modern, safe, efficient - but less character than other areas. Shared room: £280-400/mo.

Jardins: The upmarket neighbourhood. Beautiful tree-lined streets, high-end restaurants, and Rua Oscar Freire. More expensive. Private room: £350-500/mo.

Pro tip: Live near the Metro (Lines 1, 2, 3, or 4). This makes commuting manageable and reduces your dependence on Uber in rush hour.

No required vaccinations for UK travellers, but Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended if you plan to travel outside the city (Amazon, Pantanal, etc.). Dengue and Zika are present in Brazil - use mosquito repellent, especially in the wet season.

Healthcare quality: Sao Paulo has some of Latin America's best hospitals. Hospital Sirio-Libanes and Hospital Albert Einstein are world-class. Brazil also has a public healthcare system (SUS) that foreigners can technically access, but private healthcare via insurance is strongly recommended.

Water: Tap water in Sao Paulo is technically treated, but most locals drink filtered or bottled water. Stick with filtered to be safe.

Insurance: Non-negotiable. Get at least £500K medical cover including repatriation. Hospital costs for foreigners without insurance can reach £500-1,000+ per day.

Within the city: Ibirapuera Park (Sao Paulo's Central Park), MASP and Pinacoteca art museums, the Mercadao (central market - try the mortadella sandwich and fresh fruit juices), Liberdade Japanese quarter, Beco do Batman street art in Vila Madalena, and Paulista Avenue on Sundays (closed to traffic, becomes a massive street party).

Day trips: Ubatuba beaches (4 hours by bus, £8-12), Ilhabela island (stunning, 4-5 hours), Santos beach (1.5 hours), Campos do Jordao mountain town (3 hours, great in winter). Longer trips: Rio de Janeiro (1hr flight or 6hr bus), Paraty colonial town, Iguazu Falls.

Carnival (February): If your internship overlaps, Sao Paulo's carnival is massive and free - blocos (street parties) take over the city for a week. Business essentially stops. Plan for it.

More often than most destinations. Brazilian law encourages intern stipends (bolsa-auxilio), typically R$1,500-3,000/month (£230-460). This primarily applies to formal estagio arrangements, and not all placements offer it - but many do. We are transparent about compensation for each position.

Potentially, yes. The Turing Scheme funds international placements through participating UK universities. You cannot apply directly - check with your university's placement or international office. The scheme covers travel and living expenses and is confirmed through the 2026-27 academic year. We provide all the documentation your university will need.

Most UK universities accept international placements if they meet their learning criteria. We provide formal documentation including learning agreements, supervisor reports, and internship confirmations. Brazil is increasingly recognised as a valuable placement destination - particularly for business, finance, and international development degrees. If your university has specific requirements, share them with us early.

UK passport holders enter Brazil visa-free for 90 days, extendable to 180 days. No advance application needed. For paid positions or stays beyond 180 days, a VITEM II visa with employer sponsorship is required. Our team handles extension paperwork and compliance advice.

For most placements, at least basic Portuguese is essential. English proficiency in Brazil is low - roughly 5% of the population speaks it conversationally. We have some placements at international tech companies that operate in English, but even then, social life will be in Portuguese. Start learning 3-6 months before arrival. Immersion accelerates learning dramatically - most students see major improvement after 4-6 weeks.

Minimum 3 months for a meaningful experience - the first 2-3 weeks are settling in and the language adjustment takes time. For a placement year, 5-6 months is ideal and fits within the visa-free window. The 90-day visa-free period works well for a standard summer internship.

With the right precautions, yes. The neighbourhoods where we place students (Vila Madalena, Pinheiros, Jardins, Vila Olimpia) are generally safe. Use Uber or 99 at night, stay aware in crowded areas, and follow the same common sense you'd apply in any major city. Our local team provides a specific safety briefing and is available 24/7. Many of our female interns report feeling safe and welcomed in Sao Paulo.

Sao Paulo has a subtropical climate at altitude. Summer (Dec-Mar): 20-30°C, humid, afternoon thunderstorms. Winter (Jun-Sep): 10-22°C, dry, occasionally cold at night. It's not tropical heat - you'll need a jacket in winter evenings. Rain can be intense but usually passes quickly. The city functions year-round regardless of weather.