Brazilian Association for Canadian Higher Education Recruitment
An association for international higher education agencies in Brazil, dedicated to making the student journey smooth, safe, and well-guided. It brings together trusted agencies committed to ethical practices, transparency, and high-quality support, ensuring students receive reliable guidance at every step of their study abroad experience.
We truly believe Canada is one of the top destinations in the world for higher education
Our associates are committed to promoting Canada as a top destination for higher education to Brazilian students.
We are here to promote your institution alongside you, not compete with you.
Associated Partner Agencies
Our Association in Numbers
Our numbers reflect the real impact we create. From the number of students we have successfully supported to our high visa approval rate and the strength of our global partnerships, each figure represents a step toward helping individuals achieve their educational and immigration goals. Through our services, we provide clear pathways aligned with market demand, building trust, credibility, and long-lasting connections with those we serve.
Brazilian Students in Higher Education in Canada
+25.000
Study Permit Visa Approval Rate
97%
Besides supporting those seeking education, we also pay close attention to what the Canadian government needs in terms of immigration, and we help prepare people to meet those demands.
We Listen to What Canada Needs
We help clients enter essential healthcare and social service programs that are critical to public systems. This provides job security, meaningful career paths, and priority consideration in immigration processes due to high demand in these sectors.
We support students in pursuing cutting-edge STEM programs aligned with innovation-driven economies. Clients benefit from strong career opportunities, competitive salaries, and increased eligibility for immigration streams targeting tech and engineering talent.
We guide clients toward hands-on training programs in skilled trades that are highly demanded in the labor market. This allows them to secure stable, well-paying jobs and access faster immigration pathways due to labor shortages in these fields.
We connect students to high-quality education programs that align with global demand. Clients benefit from gaining recognized qualifications, improving career prospects, and increasing their chances of immigration through in-demand teaching and academic roles.
Join Our Association
Are you an institution and want to promote at the brazilian market? Be aware of local regulations
Direct sales without a proper legal structure in Brazil may expose institutions to significant risks under the Brazilian Consumer Protection Code and Tourism Law. Institutions operating without local registration, such as a CNPJ and Cadastur, may be held directly liable in consumer disputes, face administrative or judicial penalties, and encounter serious challenges when attempting to defend themselves within the Brazilian legal system.
Yes! ABRESI supports and recognizes the importance of having a Portuguese-speaking representative to support partner agencies in Brazil. However, this role must be strictly limited to supporting and developing agency relationships. Representatives must not engage directly with students or conduct sales activities, as this may be considered bypassing local partners. Such practices may be reported to ABRESI members and relevant authorities, including PROCON. If direct commercial activity is identified without proper legal structure and tax compliance, it may also lead to formal legal action under Brazilian regulations.
In such cases, the institution may be considered jointly liable, even if it is based outside Brazil. Legal proceedings can occur within Brazilian jurisdiction, requiring the institution to respond locally. If the institution has a Brazilian representative, partner, or any form of local presence, this further reinforces jurisdiction in Brazil, and legal notifications may be served directly in the country. In practice, this means the institution will be required to defend itself before Brazilian courts. This exposure can result in financial penalties, enforcement measures, and reputational consequences that extend beyond the Brazilian market.
For institutions engaging in direct commercial activity related to education and exchange programs, having a CNPJ (Brazilian business registration) and Cadastur (registration with the Ministry of Tourism) is, in practice, essential. Without these registrations, operations may be interpreted as irregular, significantly increasing legal vulnerability and limiting the institution’s ability to operate safely within the country. In addition, once operating directly in Brazil, institutions are also subject to the same tax obligations as local agencies, including the payment of applicable taxes to the Brazilian government. Failure to comply with these fiscal requirements may result in penalties, fines, and further legal exposure.
Direct marketing aimed at Brazilian consumers may be interpreted as commercial activity within the country, even if executed from abroad, especially when there is no local business structure in place. This increases legal exposure and creates significant risk. Additionally, ABRESI member agencies will not tolerate practices that place institutions in direct competition with their own official partners, as this undermines the commercial logic and trust of the relationship. The safest and most sustainable approach is to conduct marketing initiatives through established local agencies.
Direct recruitment without local intermediation is not recommended. Such actions may be interpreted as unauthorized commercial activity, potentially leading to institutional restrictions and long-term damage to the institution’s positioning in Brazil. ABRESI member agencies will not compete with their own institutional partners, and it does not make commercial sense for institutions to approach Brazilian schools directly while bypassing their official representatives. Working with a local agency ensures compliance and protects relationships with educational institutions.
Institutions that choose to ignore these guidelines expose themselves to legal action within Brazil, financial penalties, compensation claims, and potential restrictions on their ability to operate in the market. In addition, they risk significant reputational damage and the loss of strategic local partners, which are critical for long-term success in the region.
The safest and most effective approach is to work with certified and recognized local agencies. This ensures compliance with Brazilian regulations, provides a structured local presence, reinforces credibility, and offers both commercial and legal protection in a complex and highly regulated market.
Reporting channel
If you have identified any international institution promoting its programs directly to students in Brazil without complying with ABRESI guidelines, please fill out the form below. All information will be treated confidentially, and all associate members will be notified to treat the matter.
Are you a Canadian institution and would like to connect with us?