Brazilian Degree Assessment Made Simple: A USCIS Guide for Immigration Lawyers

If you're handling Brazilian immigration to the United States, understanding academic credentials from Brazil is essential. Immigration attorneys must evaluate diplomas correctly to meet U.S. immigration standards. Brazil's higher education system is diverse, with public and private universities offering degrees from associate to doctoral levels. Each degree type has its own requirements and implications for U.S. immigration. Competitive exams like the ENEM are required for entry into most universities. Public universities in Brazil are free for qualifying students, which makes them highly selective. The Ministry of Education in Brazil oversees university accreditation. It also works with education councils that review institutions and programs to ensure they meet national standards.

Specialized degrees such as medicine, dentistry, law, and psychology require approval from professional councils. These include the National Council of Health and the Brazilian Bar Association. Evaluating Brazilian diplomas means looking at more than just the name of the degree. You must also review how long the program lasts and what kind of institution issued the diploma. This is crucial when advising clients on Brazilian immigration to the US. Accurate interpretation can make or break a successful application.

In this article, we’ll talk about the details of Brazilian diploma evaluation, translation, and how these academic documents affect Brazilian immigration to the US. If you're an immigration attorney or a Brazilian client researching the U.S. immigration process, this guide is for you. Let’s dig right in!

Types of Degrees and Diplomas in Brazil

Brazil’s higher education system includes both public and private institutions accredited by the Ministry of Education (MEC). Public universities are tuition-free for eligible students and highly selective based on the ENEM exam.

Undergraduate programs fall into four main categories:

• Professional programs (medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, engineering): 4–6 years, approved by relevant professional councils.

• Bacharelado (bachelor’s): broad academic fields, typically 4 years.

• Licenciatura (teaching degree): 3–4 years, qualifies graduates to teach in schools.

• Curso Tecnológico (technical/applied sciences): 2–3 years, often evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. associate degree.

When you ask “how can I validate my diploma from Brazil,” remember that program duration, degree title, and MEC accreditation all matter. Diplomas from non-university entities must be registered and validated by a university to be recognized. Checking the official length of the program is crucial. The time a student spent completing the degree does not change its designed duration for U.S. evaluation.

Translating and Evaluating Brazilian Diplomas for U.S. Immigration

If you're helping with Brazilian immigration to the USA, proper translation and evaluation of academic documents are essential. USCIS has strict requirements that must be met for all foreign credentials. All diplomas, transcripts, and academic records must be translated into English. USCIS usually requires certified translations that are accurate, complete, and clearly presented.

When researching to write this article, we discovered that searches including “traduzir diploma” or “como traduzir diploma para inglês” are increasing. And to all Portuguese-speaking people behind those searches, we highly recommend using a trusted service like MotaWord. It is the safest way to meet USCIS standards!

Beyond translation, evaluation matters too. The U.S. needs to know if the institution is accredited, what the degree title means, and whether it meets educational standards. You must provide clear, legible copies of diplomas and transcripts. These documents help evaluators determine the official program length, the level of the degree, and its U.S. equivalent.

Here’s what USCIS looks for when reviewing Brazilian academic documents:

• Certified English translation of the diploma and transcript
• Accreditation status of the issuing institution
• Official program duration, not time taken by the student
• Clear degree title and field of study
• Whether the issuing school is authorized to grant degrees

Not all institutions in Brazil have the authority to issue degrees. In many cases, diplomas must be registered by a recognized university to be valid for professional use or academic evaluation. By translating and evaluating documents correctly, you give your client a stronger case for Brazilian immigration to the United States.

Required Documents for Brazilian Degree Assessment

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Postgraduate Programs in Brazil: What U.S. Evaluators Need to Know

Understanding postgraduate studies is key when working on Brazilian immigration to the US. Not all advanced diplomas from Brazil are treated the same by U.S. immigration authorities. Brazil offers two main types of postgraduate programs:

• Lato sensu: Short, professional certificates or specialization courses. These usually last one to two years. They do not have an academic equivalent in the U.S.

• Stricto sensu: Research-based degrees, including master's and doctoral programs. These are usually recognized as equivalent to U.S. graduate degrees.

You can usually tell if a program is lato sensu because the phrase appears on the diploma. These certificates are valuable in Brazil but are not considered academic degrees in the U.S. Only accredited universities in Brazil are allowed to issue recognized degrees. If another institution grants a diploma, it must be registered and validated by a university in the same region. For attorneys and evaluators, it’s essential to confirm the type of program before making any claims about U.S. equivalency. This step is crucial in validating Brazilian diplomas accurately. Correct classification ensures compliance with USCIS guidelines and avoids delays or denials related to education-based immigration benefits.

How MotaWord Helps with Brazilian Diploma Translation and Evaluation

If you're supporting Brazilian immigration to the US, MotaWord makes the process easier and more reliable. We help immigration attorneys save time and avoid mistakes in academic documentation.

Here’s how our services support your immigration cases:

• We offer certified Brazilian diploma translation for USCIS.
• Our experts understand the difference between lato sensu and stricto sensu programs.
• We verify institutional accreditation and program length for each diploma.
• We support questions like "how can I validate my diploma from Brazil?" and any other questions you might have with an excellent 24/7 customer service.
• We streamline complex cases involving a high school diploma from Brazil or higher education.

Using MotaWord builds confidence in your documentation. USCIS officers are more likely to accept your evidence when it’s clear, complete, and professionally translated and evaluated. Our platform allows fast and secure submission of documents. You’ll get certified translations and credential evaluations handled by experts who understand Brazil’s academic system inside and out. With MotaWord, you give your clients the best chance at success in their immigration journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brazilian Diploma Evaluation and Translation

1. How long does the credential evaluation process take?

The evaluation process usually takes other agencies from 7 to 12 business days after all documents are received. However, here at MotaWord, we offer much faster turnaround times of at least 72 hours and secure delivery of both translations and evaluations when compared to our competitors!

2. How much does credential evaluation cost?

Costs vary by agency and the type of evaluation. Most agencies charge:

• For a general evaluation: $100–$130
• For a course-by-course evaluation: $160–$200

MotaWord offers much more competitive prices, with transparent fees and a fast service. Get your evaluation quote in seconds!

3. Do I need to mail original documents for evaluation?

Some agencies accept scanned copies, while others require original documents. MotaWord accepts high-quality digital scans for both translation and evaluation, making the process faster and easier.

4. Are there agencies recognized by USCIS for credential evaluation?

USCIS accepts evaluations from independent credential evaluators who provide credible, well-documented assessments. While it does not endorse specific agencies, MotaWord is a trusted provider that delivers USCIS-compliant credential evaluations and certified translations.

Helping Your Clients Get Ahead with the Right Academic Evaluation

Helping clients with Brazilian immigration to the United States requires more than just paperwork. It takes an understanding of Brazil’s education system and USCIS expectations. Whether you’re dealing with a high school diploma from Brazil or a postgraduate certificate, accurate translation and proper evaluation are key. Mistakes can lead to delays, RFEs, or even denials.

Brazilian diploma translation must be certified, and evaluators must know how to classify degrees correctly. The difference between a Bacharelado and a lato sensu certificate can affect a case outcome. If you're asking how to validate a diploma from Brazil, the answer starts with the right team. A trusted partner like MotaWord helps you deliver complete, accurate, and USCIS-ready documents. Supporting Brazilian immigration to the USA means paying attention to the details. With professional translation and credential evaluation, you help your clients take the right steps forward.