Diplomas
Revalidating a foreign diploma in Brazil
A degree from abroad has to be revalidated, or recognised, by a Brazilian university before councils and many employers accept it. You file the request online, on the Ministry of Education's Carolina Bori platform.
In short
A foreign bachelor's degree is revalidated by a Brazilian public university that teaches the same course, and a master's or doctorate is recognised by a university with an evaluated programme in the field. You file online on the Ministry of Education's Carolina Bori platform. The university has up to 180 days, or 90 in the simplified procedure. Doctors must pass Revalida.
Source: Lei 9.394/1996, art. 48; CNE/CES Resolution 2/2024 ↗
- Bachelor's
- Revalidated by a public university
- Master's, PhD
- Recognised by a university with an evaluated programme
- Time
- Up to 180 days, or 90 in the simplified procedure
- Where
- Online, on the Carolina Bori platform
Who needs it
- Anyone who wants to work in a regulated profession: councils register foreign degrees only once revalidated.
- Doctors: a foreign medical degree is revalidated only after passing Revalida.
- Refugees and people in Brazil on humanitarian grounds, whom a university can assess by an exam alone.
- Holders of a foreign master's or doctorate who want it recognised in Brazil.
How it works
- Choose one university that offers a course of the same level and field, or an equivalent one. You can't apply to two at the same time.
- File the request and your documents on the Carolina Bori platform, and pay the fee the university sets.
- The university assesses your course. It has up to 180 days from filing, plus up to 90 more with a justification.
- The simplified procedure checks documents only and takes up to 90 days. It applies to courses taken on a Brazilian government scholarship, or covered by a diploma agreement with prior evaluation, such as Arcu-Sul accreditation. It doesn't apply to medicine.
- Doctors take Revalida, INEP's exam, with a theory stage and a clinical-skills stage. A provisional measure of June 2026 moved the theory stage into the Enamed exam, so check INEP's current notice.
- If two universities turn you down, you can appeal to the National Education Council (CNE).
Documents
- Your diploma and transcript, and the course documents the university lists
- If you live in Brazil, your CRNM and CPF; otherwise your passport
- The university's fee receipt
Each university sets its own fee, publishes it on Carolina Bori and lists the documents and translations it needs.
Plan your visa around your diploma
Revalidation usually runs alongside a work visa or residence. Answer a few questions about your plans and see OAB-registered lawyers from Emigro's directory of independent lawyers who handle immigration cases.
Check which visa fits your plans Or talk to a lawyer firstRather talk to an immigration lawyer first?
Send a short note to an independent immigration lawyer who uses Emigro. If they offer a paid call, you can pick a time on their calendar right away; otherwise they reply by email.
Official sources
CNE/CES Resolution 2/2024 (revalidation and recognition) ↗
Education Guidelines Law (Lei 9.394/1996), art. 48 ↗
MEC Ordinance 1.151/2023 (Carolina Bori and fees) ↗
Carolina Bori platform, Ministry of Education ↗
Revalida law (Lei 13.959/2019), as amended by MP 1.370/2026 ↗
Checked against official sources on October 25, 2026. Emigro gives preliminary guidance, not legal advice. Emigro is a private company, not affiliated with the Brazilian government, the Federal Police, Itamaraty, the Ministry of Justice or the Receita Federal. Emigro is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. Lawyers listed are independent, registered with the OAB, and solely responsible for their advice.
Common questions
Can a private university revalidate my foreign bachelor's degree?
No. Bachelor's degrees are revalidated only by public universities. A master's or doctorate can be recognised by a public or private university with an evaluated programme in the same field.
Is there a faster way to revalidate a diploma in Brazil?
Yes. The simplified procedure checks documents only and takes up to 90 days, for courses on a Brazilian government scholarship or covered by an agreement such as Arcu-Sul. It doesn't apply to medicine.
How much does diploma revalidation cost?
Each university sets its own fee based on its costs and publishes it on the Carolina Bori platform.
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