If you’re a Brazilian citizen dreaming of studying, working, or building a life in the United States, you’re not alone. The Brazil–US immigration corridor is one of the busiest in the Western Hemisphere, and navigating it can feel overwhelming. The good news? Once you understand your options and the process, it becomes much more manageable.
This guide breaks everything down — visa types, real fees, current processing times, and exactly what you need to do to give yourself the best shot at success.
Visa Options Available
Brazilian nationals have access to a wide range of US visa categories, but there are a few important things to know upfront: Brazil is NOT eligible for ESTA (the Visa Waiver Program), so you’ll need a visa for any visit to the US. Also, Brazilians are not eligible for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa (Brazil has no bilateral treaty with the US) and are excluded from the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery because Brazil is considered a high-admission country.
Here’s what IS available:
For Temporary Stays
- B-1/B-2 — Tourism and business visits (up to 6 months per entry)
- F-1 — Academic study at a SEVP-certified institution
- J-1 — Exchange visitor programs (research, teaching, au pair, internships)
- H-1B — Specialty occupation work visa (requires employer sponsorship and annual lottery)
- H-2A / H-2B — Temporary agricultural and non-agricultural work (Brazil is on both eligible country lists)
- L-1 — Intracompany transfers for managers, executives, or specialized knowledge employees
- O-1 — Extraordinary ability in your field (arts, sciences, business, athletics)
For Permanent Residence (Green Card)
- Family-based immigration — Through a US citizen or lawful permanent resident family member
- Employment-based (EB-1, EB-2 NIW, EB-3) — Brazil is generally NOT backlogged the way India and China are, which is a significant advantage
- EB-5 Investor Visa — Minimum investment of $800,000 (in a Targeted Employment Area) or $1,050,000 standard
- Asylum — For those with a well-founded fear of persecution; must apply within 1 year of arrival in the US
Current Processing Times
Processing times vary significantly depending on the visa type and where you’re applying. Here are current estimates based on USCIS data as of mid-2025:
At US Consulates in Brazil (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Recife, Porto Alegre)
- B-1/B-2 visa interview wait time: Varies by post — can range from a few weeks to several months. Check the specific consulate’s appointment availability at travel.state.gov.
- F-1 / J-1: Student and exchange visitor appointments are typically prioritized; processing after interview is usually 1–3 business days if approved.
USCIS (US-Based Petitions)
- H-1B I-129 (standard): 3–6 months
- H-1B I-129 (Premium Processing): 15 business days (with $2,805 fee)
- L-1 I-129: 3–5 months standard; 15 business days with Premium Processing
- O-1 I-129: 3–4 months standard; 15 business days with Premium Processing
- I-130 (Family Petition): 7–34 months depending on relationship and whether petitioner is a US citizen or LPR
- I-485 (Adjustment of Status): 8–48 months depending on category and field office
- I-140 (Employment-Based Immigrant Petition): 6–11 months standard; 15 business days with Premium Processing ($2,805)
- N-400 (Naturalization): 18–24 months at most field offices
Important: Brazil is generally not backlogged for employment-based green card categories, meaning your priority date may be current much faster than applicants from India or China. Always verify the monthly Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov.
Fees and Costs
One thing that surprises many applicants is just how much the fees add up. Here’s a transparent breakdown:
Non-Immigrant Visa Application Fees (MRV Fee, Paid at the US Consulate)
- B-1/B-2, F-1, J-1: $185
- H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, L-1, O-1: $205
- K-1 Fiancé(e): $265
Additional Fees to Budget For
- SEVIS fee for F-1 students (Form I-901): $350
- SEVIS fee for most J-1 categories: $220 ($35 for au pair/camp counselor)
- H-1B lottery registration (per applicant): $215
- H-1B employer training fee: $750–$1,500 depending on company size
- H-1B fraud prevention fee: $500
- H-1B Asylum Program Fee (new): $600 (waived for nonprofits)
- Premium Processing upgrade: $2,805
USCIS Filing Fees (Effective April 1, 2024 — Major Fee Increase)
- I-130 (family petition): $675
- I-485 (green card application): $1,440 (ages 14–78)
- I-765 (work permit, standalone): $520
- I-131 (advance parole): $630
- I-140 (employment-based immigrant petition): $715
- I-539 (extend/change status): $420
- I-751 (remove conditions on green card): $595
- N-400 (naturalization): $760 paper / $710 online
- I-526E (EB-5 investor petition): $11,160
Immigrant Visa Fees (Consular Processing)
- Immigrant visa application fee: $325
- Affidavit of support review: $120
- Medical exam (USCIS-approved panel physician in Brazil): approximately $150–$350
Step-by-Step Application Process
Here’s how the process works for the most common routes:
For a B-1/B-2 Tourist/Business Visa
- Complete Form DS-160 online at ceac.state.gov
- Pay the $185 MRV fee
- Create a profile at the US Consulate’s scheduling site and book your visa interview
- Gather your documents (passport, photo, DS-160 confirmation, financial proof, ties to Brazil)
- Attend your interview at one of the five Brazilian consulates
- Wait for processing (typically 1–5 business days post-interview if approved)
For an F-1 Student Visa
- Get accepted to a SEVP-certified school and receive Form I-20
- Pay the $350 SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com
- Complete Form DS-160
- Pay the $185 MRV fee and schedule your consular interview
- Attend the interview with financial documents and proof of enrollment
- Upon approval, enter the US within 30 days before your program start date
For an H-1B Work Visa
- Your US employer registers you in the H-1B lottery (March window, $215/registrant)
- If selected, employer files Form I-129 with USCIS (with all required fees)
- USCIS approves petition (3–6 months standard, or 15 business days with Premium Processing)
- You apply for the H-1B visa stamp at a US Consulate in Brazil using the approval notice
- Attend consular interview and enter the US on or after October 1
For a Family-Based Green Card (Consular Processing from Brazil)
- US citizen/LPR petitioner files Form I-130 ($675) with USCIS
- USCIS approves and sends case to the National Visa Center (NVC)
- NVC collects fees, documents, and Affidavit of Support
- Once priority date is current (per Visa Bulletin), consulate schedules immigrant visa interview
- Attend interview at US Consulate in Brazil with all required documents
- Upon approval, pay the immigrant visa fee and receive your visa
- Enter the US — your green card is mailed to your US address
Required Documents
While requirements vary by visa type, most applications require:
- Valid Brazilian passport (at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended US stay)
- Completed DS-160 (non-immigrant) or DS-260 (immigrant visa)
- Recent passport-sized photo meeting US specifications
- Proof of financial means (bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns)
- Evidence of ties to Brazil (employment letter, property ownership, family ties) — critical for B, F, and J visas
- SEVIS fee receipt (F-1 and J-1 applicants)
- For work visas: employer petition approval notices, educational credentials (may require foreign degree evaluation)
- For family-based: birth certificates, marriage certificates, USCIS petition approval notice
- For immigrant visas: medical examination results from a USCIS-approved panel physician in Brazil
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the errors that most frequently derail applications:
- Failing to demonstrate ties to Brazil on a B-1/B-2, F-1, or J-1 application — consular officers need to believe you’ll go home
- Overstaying a previous US visa — this creates serious bars to future visas and immigration benefits
- Paying the wrong fees or filing outdated forms — USCIS updated its fee schedule on April 1, 2024; using old forms or fee amounts causes rejection
- Missing the H-1B lottery registration window (typically March) — there are no exceptions
- Not checking the monthly Visa Bulletin before acting on an immigrant visa case — priority dates move, and acting on outdated information causes delays
- Applying for the DV Lottery as a Brazilian citizen — Brazilians are not eligible; this is a common misconception
- Assuming the E-2 investor visa is available — it is not directly available to Brazilian nationals without a second passport from a treaty country
Recent Changes (2026)
The immigration landscape has shifted considerably in recent years, and several changes directly affect Brazilian applicants:
- New USCIS fee schedule (April 1, 2024): Fees increased substantially across the board — some by 20–26%. The I-485 green card application rose to $1,440, and the I-130 to $675. Budget accordingly.
- H-1B Asylum Program Fee: A new $600 fee was introduced for most H-1B employer petitions (nonprofits are exempt), implemented as part of the 2024 rule changes.
- H-1B lottery reform: The new selection system (effective FY2025) is based on unique beneficiaries rather than registrations, which reduced duplicate registrations and fraud but did not significantly change odds for most genuine applicants.
- Increased consular wait times: Post-pandemic backlogs at US consulates in Brazil have partially cleared, but appointment availability still fluctuates — book early.
- EB-2 NIW demand from Brazilians is rising: More Brazilian researchers, scientists, and tech professionals are pursuing the National Interest Waiver route, which doesn’t require employer sponsorship — a significant flexibility advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ESTA to travel to the US as a Brazilian citizen?
No. Brazil is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. You need a B-1/B-2 visa for tourism or business visits.
