The pathway for foreign-trained physicians to practice medicine in Brazil requires careful planning and a solid understanding of several mandatory steps. From diploma validation to Portuguese-language certification and visa procedures, the process involves multiple stages.

This guide outlines the essential information needed to convert a foreign medical degree into legal authorization to practice in Brazil, including timelines, costs, documentation requirements, and the main entry points into the Brazilian healthcare job market.

(Click here to learn more about the experiences of foreign doctors now practicing in Brazil.)

Equivalency Exams

In Brazil, anyone who earned a medical degree abroad must take the National Exam for the Revalidation of Medical Diplomas Issued by Foreign Higher Education Institutions, known as Revalida. The exam is administered twice a year, and each session includes both a theoretical test and a clinical-skills (practical) assessment. Only after passing both stages may candidates continue with the diploma revalidation process and then apply for registration with the Regional Council of Medicine (Conselho Regional de Medicina, CRM) in the state where they intend to work.

The theoretical exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have 5 hours to complete it. The test covers clinical reasoning — such as identifying the correct diagnosis and treatment for a case of meningococcal meningitis — as well as knowledge of Brazil’s public health system, the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).

The clinical-skills exam takes place across 10 stations that simulate real clinical scenarios in the five major areas of medicine: internal medicine, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, and family and community medicine. Candidates must perform tasks such as diagnostic assessments, physical examinations, and clinical procedures. Communication with patients and family members is also evaluated.

After registration, exam locations are assigned based on the candidate’s preference and availability outlined in the official announcement, typically in major state capitals and in the Federal District (Brasília).

The process also includes a document review, which requires the original diploma issued by the foreign medical school, the revalidated diploma issued by a Brazilian university after passing Revalida, and personal identification documents.

Portuguese-Language Proficiency

Foreign-trained physicians must also demonstrate proficiency in Portuguese through the Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese for Foreigners (Celpe-Bras). This is Brazil’s official Portuguese-language exam, administered both within the country and at approved testing centers abroad. The test evaluates listening and reading comprehension, written expression, and conversational skills.

Submitting a valid Celpe-Bras certificate is also required for foreign doctors to register with the CRM in the state where they intend to practice. There are two exceptions:

• Physicians from Portuguese-speaking countries
• Foreign nationals who completed their medical degree in Brazil 

The proficiency level required for medical diploma validation is generally advanced, and the specific threshold is determined by the body responsible for homologation — the Federal Council of Medicine (Conselho Federal de Medicina), Brazil’s national medical regulatory authority.

Visa Requirements

Foreign doctors may obtain authorization for indefinite residence in Brazil, but this does not occur automatically. Eligibility depends on meeting the requirements set by Brazil’s Migration Law (Law No. 13,445/2017). In most cases, the process begins with a temporary residence permit, which can later be converted into an authorization for permanent stay.

Applications for residence must be submitted to the Federal Police, the agency responsible for immigration processing. Importantly, this authorization does not automatically extend to the doctor’s family members, who must apply separately.

Physicians from Cuba who worked in Brazil under the More Doctors Program may remain in the country for up to 2 years. After that period, Interministerial Ordinance No. 4 of July 26, 2019, issued jointly by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allows these professionals to apply for indefinite-term residence, provided they meet all established criteria.

Integration and Job Opportunities

To help navigate the diploma validation process, foreign-trained physicians may seek support from universities and specialized centers that offer Revalida preparation courses. These programs help candidates become familiar with exam content and gain a working understanding of Brazil’s healthcare system.

One of the most common entry pathways for foreign doctors is the More Doctors Program, managed by the Brazilian federal government. Through this program, foreign-trained physicians can work in underserved or remote areas without completing diploma revalidation for the first 4 years, with the option to extend participation for another 4 years. The program includes a Welcoming and Assessment Module designed to orient doctors to Brazil’s public health system. Participants receive a monthly training stipend of R$ 14,058.00 (net R$ 12,500.80), along with housing and meal allowances.

As in many countries, networking is one of the most effective ways to learn about job opportunities. In Brazil, openings for foreign doctors tend to be more frequent in the public sector because private hospitals typically fill positions quickly. Many physicians prefer working in the private system because public hospitals often face resource shortages, challenging working conditions, and lower salaries compared with private-sector positions.

Access to Medical Societies

Foreign-trained doctors seeking to join Brazilian medical societies should be aware that membership typically requires:

• A validated medical diploma
• CRM registration in the state where they practice
• Completion of a residency in internal medicine or its equivalent 

Requirements vary by organization. Some societies demand a residency specifically in the specialty represented, while others accept broader clinical training. It is therefore important to check each society’s criteria individually before applying.

Understanding Brazil’s Healthcare System

Brazil’s public healthcare system, the SUS, is universal. Established under the country’s 1988 Federal Constitution, SUS guarantees access to healthcare for all residents, regardless of income or immigration status.

The system is organized into three levels of care, based on complexity:

• Primary care, which serves as the main entry point into SUS and resolves most health needs
• Secondary care, which provides specialized services, including outpatient clinics, urgent care units, and general hospitals
• Tertiary care, which delivers highly specialized, high-complexity interventions requiring advanced technology 

Foreign-trained physicians working in Brazil — especially those entering through programs serving remote or underserved regions — will interact heavily with the primary-care network, which forms the backbone of SUS.

Washington Castilhos has been a science and health journalist for more than 20 years. He holds a master’s degree in science, health, and technology communication from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a doctorate in education and biosciences communication from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, which included a doctoral internship at Paris 8 University, France.

This story was translated from Medscape's Portuguese edition.