On 11 November 2025 the Federal Institute of São Paulo (IFSP) published Public Notice 54/2025, inviting foreign residents, refugees and other immigrants to sit an in-person Portuguese-language proficiency exam on 29 November. The qualification is recognised by Brazil’s Ministry of Justice as evidence of ‘adequate communication’—a legal prerequisite for naturalisation and many permanent-residence upgrades.
Candidates who have completed approved language-training modules through the IFSP or its partner, the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), may register online between 12 and 21 November. The three-hour test evaluates listening, reading, writing and oral skills; successful examinees receive a certificate valid for four years.
![São Paulo’s IFSP Opens Portuguese-Language Certification for Immigrants Seeking Naturalisation]()
Corporate-mobility relevance – Brazil’s naturalisation route is increasingly attractive for long-term expatriates whose children are born locally or who plan regional careers in Mercosur. HR departments sponsoring employees for permanent residence can leverage the IFSP exam as a cost-effective alternative to private testing bodies, cutting processing time by up to two months. Employers should remind staff that places are limited and that exam slots cannot be rescheduled once chosen.
Policy context – While Brazil does not impose mandatory language tests for temporary work visas, mastery of Portuguese is required for naturalisation and for some regulated professions. Public higher-education institutes have been expanding free or low-cost testing capacity in response to record immigration from Venezuela, Haiti and West Africa.
Next steps – Registrants must upload a copy of their foreign resident ID (CRNM) or Police-issued protocol, plus their language-course certificates. The exam fee is waived. Results will be released on 10 December via the IFSP website.
Candidates who have completed approved language-training modules through the IFSP or its partner, the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), may register online between 12 and 21 November. The three-hour test evaluates listening, reading, writing and oral skills; successful examinees receive a certificate valid for four years.
Corporate-mobility relevance – Brazil’s naturalisation route is increasingly attractive for long-term expatriates whose children are born locally or who plan regional careers in Mercosur. HR departments sponsoring employees for permanent residence can leverage the IFSP exam as a cost-effective alternative to private testing bodies, cutting processing time by up to two months. Employers should remind staff that places are limited and that exam slots cannot be rescheduled once chosen.
Policy context – While Brazil does not impose mandatory language tests for temporary work visas, mastery of Portuguese is required for naturalisation and for some regulated professions. Public higher-education institutes have been expanding free or low-cost testing capacity in response to record immigration from Venezuela, Haiti and West Africa.
Next steps – Registrants must upload a copy of their foreign resident ID (CRNM) or Police-issued protocol, plus their language-course certificates. The exam fee is waived. Results will be released on 10 December via the IFSP website.
