Brazil to United States Immigration Guide 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Moving from Brazil to the United States is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make — and one of the most complex. Whether you are reuniting with family, chasing a career opportunity, pursuing higher education, or building a new life altogether, this guide walks you through every pathway available to Brazilian nationals in 2026. No fluff, no impenetrable legal jargon — just clear, practical information to help you move forward with confidence.
Visa Options Available for Brazilians Moving to the US
Before anything else, know this: Brazil does not participate in the US Visa Waiver Program. Unlike citizens of many other countries, Brazilians cannot enter the US without a visa — not even for tourism. Every Brazilian national requires a valid visa for any type of entry. Here is what is available:
Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Visas
B-1/B-2 — Visitor Visa (Tourism & Business)
The most commonly applied-for visa from Brazil. Suitable for tourism, visiting family, short business trips, or medical treatment. When approved, it is typically valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, though each stay is limited to 6 months. Brazil has historically experienced a relatively high refusal rate. You must convincingly demonstrate strong ties to Brazil — such as stable employment, property ownership, or close family — and that you intend to return.
F-1 — Student Visa
If you have been accepted to a US university or accredited school, the F-1 visa is your path. It permits full-time academic study and limited work authorization (on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training, and Optional Practical Training after graduation). STEM graduates may be eligible to extend OPT to a total of 36 months.
J-1 — Exchange Visitor Visa
Designed for cultural exchange programs, research scholars, au pairs, interns, and teachers. One critical detail: many Brazilian J-1 holders are subject to a two-year home residency requirement (Section 212(e)), meaning you may be required to return to Brazil for two years before switching to certain other visa categories.
H-1B — Specialty Occupation Worker
The primary work visa for Brazilian professionals in fields such as technology, engineering, finance, and healthcare. Requires a US employer to sponsor you and is subject to an annual lottery (65,000 cap, plus an additional 20,000 for US master’s degree holders). The lottery registration period typically opens in March for an October start date.
L-1 — Intracompany Transferee
Already employed by a multinational company with a US presence? If you have worked for the Brazilian affiliate for at least one continuous year within the past three years, your employer may be able to transfer you to the US as a manager or executive (L-1A) or as a specialized knowledge worker (L-1B).
O-1 — Extraordinary Ability
For Brazilians who are at the top of their field — whether in science, the arts, athletics, business, or entertainment. You must provide substantial evidence: major awards, published work, significant media coverage, or documented proof of a critical role within a distinguished organization.
Permanent Residency (Green Card) Pathways
Family-Based Green Card
If you have a US citizen spouse, parent, or child (age 21 or older), or a lawful permanent resident spouse or parent, you may qualify. Immediate relatives of US citizens face no annual numerical cap and typically move through the process most quickly. Other family preference categories — such as siblings or adult children — can involve significant wait times, in some cases exceeding a decade.
Employment-Based Green Card (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)
- EB-1: For individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers and professors, or multinational executives and managers — no labor certification (PERM) required.
- EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver): A popular self-petition route for researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who can demonstrate that their work benefits the United States at a national level.
- EB-3: The standard employer-sponsored path for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
EB-5 Investor Visa
Requires a minimum investment of $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (or $1,050,000 in other areas) and the creation of at least 10 full-time US jobs. This is a significant undertaking financially and procedurally, but it remains a legitimate pathway for qualifying candidates.
Two Common Misconceptions for Brazilians
- The TN Visa is exclusively available to Mexican and Canadian citizens under the USMCA trade agreement. Brazilian nationals are not eligible.
- The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is not currently available to Brazilian citizens, as the US and Brazil do not have the required bilateral investment treaty in place. Some Brazilians explore obtaining citizenship from an E-2-eligible country — such as Portugal or Italy — as a potential workaround, but this approach requires genuine citizenship status and expert legal guidance.
- The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: Brazil is currently ineligible because the number of Brazilian immigrants to the US exceeds the annual threshold. Eligibility is reviewed each year — confirm current status at travel.state.gov.
Processing Times in 2026
Processing times fluctuate regularly. The following estimates reflect USCIS guidance as of mid-2026 and are subject to change:
| Application | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| I-130 (Family Petition) | 12–18 months |
| I-485 (Adjustment of Status / Green Card) | 12–20 months |
| I-765 (Work Permit / EAD) | 4–8 months |
| I-129 (H-1B Petition) | 3–6 months |
| N-400 (Naturalization) | 8–14 months |
Consular interview wait times in Brazil vary considerably. US Consulates in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have experienced wait times ranging from 2 to 12 or more months for B-1/B-2 appointments during peak periods. Check current wait times at ceac.state.gov.
Premium Processing is available for certain petition types (including I-129 and I-140) and guarantees a decision within 15 business days for an additional fee of $2,805.
Always verify current processing times directly at uscis.gov/tools/check-case-processing-times.
Fees and Costs
Government Fees (USCIS & State Department)
| Form / Fee | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 Visa Application (MRV fee) | $185 |
| F-1 MRV fee | $185 |
| SEVIS Fee (F-1) | $350 |
| H-1B / L-1 / O-1 MRV fee | $205 |
| I-129 Base Filing Fee | $730 |
| I-130 (Family Petition) | $675 |
| I-485 (Green Card Adjustment of Status) | $1,440 |
| I-140 (Employment Immigrant Petition) | $715 |
| N-400 (Naturalization Application) | $760 |
| DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) | $325 |
| Medical Exam (I-693) | $200–$500 |
| Premium Processing (optional) | $2,805 |
For H-1B cases, total employer-side costs often reach $2,000–$5,500 or more when accounting for the Labor Condition Application (LCA), fraud prevention fees, and ACWIA training fees.
Step-by-Step Process
Every visa category has its own specific requirements, but the following provides a general roadmap applicable to most applicants:
- Identify the right visa based on your purpose, qualifications, and intended timeline.
- Gather your documents — passport, financial records, employment letters, school acceptance letter, etc.
- Complete the DS-160 (for nonimmigrant visas) or the relevant USCIS petition forms.
- Pay applicable fees — MRV fee, SEVIS fee (where required), and any USCIS filing fees.
- Schedule your consular interview at a US Consulate in Brazil (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Recife, or Porto Alegre).
- Attend your interview prepared with originals and copies of all supporting documents.
- Receive your visa (if approved) and plan your travel to the United States.
- For Green Card applicants already in the US: File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and attend scheduled biometrics and interview appointments as directed by USCIS.
Required Documents
While requirements differ by visa type,