Immigrate to Canada from Brazil — 2026 Pathway Guide
Brazil is one of Canada's largest Latin American immigration corridors, with strong tech, engineering, healthcare, and academic representation. SDS eligibility (since 2018), an active IEC, and broad PNP access make Brazil → Canada one of the more flexible LATAM pathways. This page covers the realistic routes.
Pathway portfolio for Brazilian applicants
Express Entry FSW
Federal Skilled Worker for Brazilian professionals abroad. Requirements:
- CLB 7 in English or French — most Brazilians study English; French is a strategic add
- ECA for Brazilian university degrees (WES, ICAS, IQAS, ICES)
- 1+ year continuous skilled work experience (TEER 0/1/2/3) in past 10 years
- 67/100 selection-factor score
- Proof of funds (CAD $14,000+ single)
Express Entry CEC
For Brazilians already in Canada with 12+ months of Canadian skilled work — often after SDS study → PGWP → work.
Provincial Nominee Programs
- Ontario OINP HCP — broad fit for tech, finance, healthcare
- BC PNP Tech — Vancouver tech employers
- Alberta AAIP — energy + agri/oil sectors
- Quebec QSWP / PEQ — for French-speakers
- Atlantic Immigration Program — for those with NB/NS/PEI/NL job offers
SDS study permit
Brazil joined SDS in 2018. Requirements:
- Letter of acceptance from a Canadian DLI
- First-year tuition paid in full
- GIC of CAD ~$20,635 (for first-year living costs)
- IELTS Academic 6.0+ overall (6.0 each band) OR French TEF B2+
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
- Medical exam, biometrics
SDS processing: typically under 20 calendar days.
IEC Brazil-Canada
- Working Holiday — open work permit, 12 months, age 18-35
- Young Professionals — closed work permit with confirmed job offer
Annual quota opens fall. Most popular IEC corridor for Brazilians.
Visa office: Brazil (São Paulo + Brasília)
Brazilian applications process through the visa office in São Paulo (primary) with some functions in Brasília. Biometrics at VFS Canada VACs in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Recife, Curitiba.
Brazil-specific documents
- Brazilian PCC (Antecedentes Criminais) — Federal Police (Polícia Federal) issues; online or in-person; ~1-2 weeks
- Apostilled birth certificate + diploma + transcripts — apostille via Brazilian courts (Tribunal de Justiça)
- Portuguese-to-English certified translations — all non-English documents
- ECA — WES, ICAS, IQAS, ICES (Brazilian degrees + technical certifications)
- IELTS Academic or General, CELPIP, or TEF Canada
Common Brazil → Canada mistakes
- Missing eTA eligibility analysis — Brazilian citizens with prior US visas or past Canadian permits may qualify for eTA visitor entry (faster than TRV)
- Submitting Brazilian degrees without ECA — required for Express Entry CRS points
- Underestimating English requirement — many Brazilian applicants need 6-12 months of focused IELTS prep
- Not using SDS when eligible — much faster than standard study permit
- Missing Portuguese-to-English certified translations
FAQ
Do Brazilian citizens need a visa for Canada?
Yes — Brazil is not on the eTA-eligible list. Brazilian citizens need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. Limited eTA eligibility exists for Brazilians with a valid US non-immigrant visa or who held a Canadian work/study permit in the past 10 years (since 2017 policy).
Is Brazil on the SDS list?
Yes — Brazil is one of the 14 SDS-eligible countries. SDS allows faster study permit processing if you meet stricter requirements (paid first-year tuition, GIC ~$20,635 for living costs, IELTS Academic 6.0+ or TEF B2+, PAL).
What's the IEC Brazil-Canada agreement?
Brazil-Canada IEC has Working Holiday (open work permit) and Young Professionals (closed work permit) categories. Age 18-35 for Brazilian applicants. Annual quota opens fall; fills quickly.
Can I move from Brazil to Quebec?
Yes — Quebec is a strong fit for Brazilians, particularly those who speak French (or learn it). Quebec QSWP and PEQ both favor French speakers. Many Brazilians use French study programs as a bridge. Quebec selection is independent of federal Express Entry.
What's the most common Brazilian professional pathway?
For tech professionals (large Brazilian IT sector): BC PNP Tech, Ontario OINP, or federal STEM category draws. For engineers: Alberta AAIP, Ontario OINP. For healthcare: federal healthcare category + provincial healthcare PNPs. For others: Express Entry FSW + provincial nomination.
Brazil → Canada — Express Entry, SDS, or IEC?
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) maps Brazilian pathways across federal, provincial, and Quebec options. Free 15-min review.
Free Brazil → Canada Review →Related: Express Entry · Study permit · From Mexico · From Colombia