IMGs From Brazil: Schools, Test Centers and Visa Notes

For Brazilian graduates, the key question is whether your school's ECFMG Sponsor Note covers your graduation year, and in Brazil the WFME-recognized agency (SAEME) describes itself as a voluntary system, separate from the government's own course evaluation. This guide covers what is published, how to check, testing, documents and visas. It is general information, not legal advice.

What the published data say about IMGs from Brazil #

NRMP counts IMGs by citizenship, not by country of medical school. In the 2026 Main Residency Match, 11,944 non-U.S. citizen IMGs submitted rank order lists and 6,733 matched to PGY-1 positions (56.4 percent). A Brazilian citizen would be counted in the non-U.S. IMG group, but NRMP does not publish a Brazil breakdown in the reports we downloaded. ECFMG's fact sheet gives only global totals. We do not quote a Brazil figure. See IMG match statistics.

Checking school eligibility #

Look up your school in the World Directory of Medical Schools and read its ECFMG Sponsor Note, including the graduation years covered. ECFMG also requires, since 2024, accreditation by an agency recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). See the World Directory guide and accreditation requirement.

What we verified for Brazil:

SAEME describes itself as voluntary and open to schools already recognized by the Ministry of Education. We did not find a source stating how many schools it has accredited that we could rely on, and published counts vary. So ministry recognition of your course is necessary for a degree but is not the same thing as accreditation by a WFME-recognized agency. Use the Sponsor Note, not the course's regulatory status, as your answer.

USMLE testing #

IMGs register through FSMB since January 2026, with ECFMG deciding certification eligibility. Step 1 and Step 2 CK are given at Prometric centers worldwide; Step 3 only in the US and its territories. We could not verify the list of Brazilian Prometric USMLE locations on usmle.org or Prometric's pages, so we name none. After you receive your permit, use the Prometric locator and check availability and any region surcharge. See USMLE test centers outside the US.

Brazilian programs often run a long clinical internship (internato) in the final years, so confirm with your school how your last-year schedule fits your exam eligibility period. See when to take each Step.

Credentials and documents #

ECFMG verifies your diploma and transcript directly with your school. Brazilian transcripts and diplomas may need to be requested through the registrar (secretaria) and the institution's own verification process; allow time. ECFMG's Reference Guide for Medical Education Credentials states the diploma title it requires for your school and year. If documents are in Portuguese, check ECFMG's current translation instructions. See EPIC credential verification and common ECFMG delays.

The US visa process for Brazilian nationals #

If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you need a visa to train: usually a J-1 sponsored by ECFMG, or an H-1B if the program sponsors it. See J-1 visa process, J-1 vs H-1B and visa interview preparation. Also read the two-year home residency rule, which may apply to J-1 physicians.

Appointment wait times at US consulates in Brazil vary and we could not verify current figures. Check the US Embassy and consulates' appointment pages.

Community and professional resources #

The Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) is the national regulator and runs SAEME. We could not verify an alumni or peer network aimed at Brazilian IMGs, so we do not recommend one. Ask your school's alumni office and faculty who trained abroad.

Next steps #

1. Find your Sponsor Note and graduation years.
2. Ask your school about SAEME status in writing.
3. Plan your exam window around your internship schedule and confirmed Prometric seats.
4. Plan US clinical experience and visa timing once eligibility is confirmed.