The USA remains the single most searched relocation destination for Brazilians — and also the one with the most unpredictable immigration process, thanks to the H-1B lottery system. Unlike Canada's points-based clarity or the EU's more linear work-permit routes, moving to the US often depends on employer sponsorship timing, visa category caps, and a fair bit of luck. Once you're in, however, the system runs on two things: your Social Security Number (SSN) and your credit score — both start from zero, no matter how established you were in Brazil. This guide covers the full journey from visa strategy to your first Whole Foods run.
1. Which visa do you need?
Brazil has no visa-free work access to the US. Almost every route requires either an employer sponsor, an extraordinary-ability petition, or a family/investment basis.
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Most commonEmployer-sponsored, requires a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field related to the role. Subject to an annual lottery — around 65,000 general-cap spots plus 20,000 for US master's degree holders, against 400,000+ registrations most years.
F-1 Student + OPT
Study-to-work routeEnroll in a US degree program, then work under Optional Practical Training (OPT) for 12 months after graduating — extendable to 36 months total for STEM degrees. A common bridge into H-1B sponsorship.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability
No lotteryFor those with recognized achievement in sciences, arts, business, athletics or entertainment — evidenced by awards, publications, high salary, media coverage, or leading roles at distinguished organizations. No annual cap or lottery.
L-1 Intracompany Transfer
MultinationalsFor managers, executives or specialized-knowledge employees transferring from a Brazilian branch to a US office of the same company. No lottery, and L-1A can lead to a green card via EB-1C.
EB-2 / EB-3 Green Card
Permanent residenceEmployer-sponsored permanent residence via labor certification (PERM), proving no qualified US worker is available. Slower than any temporary visa, often pursued while already working in the US on H-1B or L-1.
EB-5 Investor Visa
InvestorsInvest $800,000 (in a targeted employment area) or $1,050,000 in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs. Leads directly to a green card for you and your family.
💡 IC360 tip: The H-1B lottery only runs once a year (March registration for an October start). If you don't win, ask your employer about an O-1 or L-1 alternative rather than waiting a full year for the next lottery cycle.
2. Documents to prepare in Brazil
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your intended stay
- Diploma with a credential evaluation (via WES or a similar NACES-approved evaluator) — required by USCIS to prove your Brazilian degree meets US equivalency standards for H-1B/O-1/EB petitions
- Employment letters and proof of prior salary — useful for O-1 evidence and PERM prevailing wage determinations
- Police clearance certificate (certidão de antecedentes criminais) — required at the green card / adjustment of status stage
- Vaccination records — required for the immigrant visa medical exam if pursuing a green card
- Proof of funds — required for F-1 (I-20 issuance) and any self-sponsored route
⚠️ Visa interview wait times: US consulate interview slots in Brazil (São Paulo, Rio, Recife, Brasília, Porto Alegre) can back up for months during peak season. Book your interview appointment the moment your petition is approved — don't wait.
3. Your first 30 days in the USA
- Apply for your Social Security Number (SSN) at your local SSA office — required to be legally paid on a work visa. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.
- Open a US bank account — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Capital One all accept a passport + proof of US address; some let you start the process before your SSN arrives.
- Get health insurance immediately — via your employer's group plan, the ACA Marketplace (healthcare.gov) if self-employed, or a short-term plan while you wait for employer coverage to kick in.
- Apply for a driver's license or state ID at your local DMV — requirements and wait times vary drastically by state; some allow direct exchange of a Brazilian license (CNH) with a translation, others require a full written and road test.
- Start building US credit immediately — apply for a secured credit card (Discover it Secured, Capital One Platinum Secured) since your Brazilian credit history does not transfer at all.
- Get a US phone number (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or budget options Mint Mobile/Google Fi).
- Sign a lease. Expect to need a credit check, first month + security deposit, and sometimes a guarantor or extra months' deposit in lieu of US credit history.
- Get car insurance before driving — mandatory in nearly every state, and rates for new-to-country drivers can be high until you build a US driving record.
- Register children at the local school district with proof of address and immunization records.
4. Cost of living: NYC vs. SF Bay Area vs. Miami vs. Austin
US salaries — especially in tech — are among the highest in the world, but so is the cost of the most desirable cities. Miami and Austin offer a strong balance of Brazilian community, warm climate and lower cost than the coasts.
| City | 1-bed rent | Monthly budget | Avg tech salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Bay Area | $2,800–3,800/mo | $4,200–5,500/mo | $9,000–13,000/mo |
| New York City | $3,000–4,200/mo | $4,500–5,800/mo | $8,000–11,000/mo |
| Seattle | $2,200–2,900/mo | $3,400–4,200/mo | $7,500–10,500/mo |
| Miami | $2,200–3,000/mo | $3,200–4,200/mo | $6,000–8,500/mo (large Brazilian community) |
| Chicago | $1,800–2,500/mo | $3,000–3,800/mo | $6,500–9,000/mo |
| Austin | $1,600–2,200/mo | $2,800–3,600/mo | $7,000–9,500/mo (no state income tax) |
Sales tax is added at checkout and varies by state (0% in states like Texas has no income tax but does have sales tax; Oregon has no sales tax at all) — always budget a few extra percent on every purchase.
5. Finding housing
- Zillow — the largest listing platform, for both renting and buying
- Apartments.com — strong for large apartment complexes with online applications
- StreetEasy — the go-to for New York City specifically
- Craigslist — still widely used, verify listings carefully
- Facebook groups: "Brasileiros em Miami", "Brasileiros em Boston", "Brasileiros em NYC — Moradia"
💡 IC360 tip: Without US credit history, landlords may ask for a guarantor, 2–3 months' deposit upfront, or proof of income at 40x the monthly rent. Ask your employer for a relocation letter — it often substitutes for a credit check in the first year.
6. Healthcare: no universal coverage
The US has no national health service. Coverage is tied to your employer, purchased individually, or (rarely for newcomers) accessed through Medicaid. Going uninsured, even briefly, carries real financial risk — a single ER visit can run into the thousands of dollars.
- Employer-provided plans — the most common and usually the best value, often subsidized by your company
- ACA Marketplace (healthcare.gov) — for the self-employed or between jobs, with income-based subsidies
- Short-term/travel insurance — a stopgap for the first weeks before employer coverage activates
- Key terms to understand: deductible (what you pay before insurance kicks in), copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum
Use ZocDoc to find and book doctors who accept your specific insurance plan.
7. Language & community
English proficiency is essential for both work and daily life across most of the US, though Miami and parts of Massachusetts (Framingham, Somerville) have such large Brazilian populations that Portuguese is genuinely useful day-to-day.
- Major Brazilian community hubs: Miami/Pompano Beach (FL), Boston/Framingham (MA), Newark/"Ironbound" (NJ), New York City
- Free/low-cost ESL classes through community colleges and public libraries
- Facebook groups: "Brasileiros em Miami", "Brasileiros na Flórida", "Brasileiros em Boston", "Brazilians in NYC"
- The IC360 Community — connect with other Brazilians navigating the H-1B/OPT timeline
8. Schools & education for kids
Education is compulsory (typically ages 5/6–16/18, varies by state) and run locally, funded largely by property taxes — meaning school quality varies enormously by zip code, and it's a major factor in choosing where to live.
- Public schools are free and required to provide ESL support for newcomer children
- School district quality directly affects home prices and rent — research district ratings (GreatSchools.org) before committing to a neighborhood
- Private and international/bilingual schools are widely available in major metros for families who want them
9. Culture shock: what surprises Brazilians most
Tipping is expected everywhere
18–25% at restaurants is now the norm, and tip prompts appear at coffee shops, salons and delivery apps too.
Healthcare cost anxiety
Even insured Americans budget for medical bills — always confirm a provider is "in-network" before any appointment.
At-will employment
You (and your employer) can end the job relationship with little notice in most states — a shock compared to Brazil's CLT protections.
"How are you" is rhetorical
A greeting, not a real question — a one-word "good, you?" is the expected reply, not a status update.
Tax added at checkout
Prices shown never include sales tax, and rates vary by state and even by city.
Credit score obsession
Your FICO score affects apartments, phone plans, car loans and even some job applications — build it deliberately from day one.
Minimal legal vacation
There's no federal minimum paid vacation — PTO is negotiated per employer, often just 10–15 days versus Brazil's guaranteed 30.
Performative positivity
Customer service enthusiasm ("Have a great day!") is standard even when things go wrong — it isn't sarcasm.
Car-dependent living
Outside a handful of cities (NYC, Chicago, SF, Boston), daily life without a car is genuinely difficult.
10. Supermarket & daily life guide
- Whole Foods / Trader Joe's — higher-end and specialty, good produce and prepared foods
- Kroger / Safeway / Publix — regional mainstream chains (varies by state)
- Walmart / Target — the budget-friendly, all-in-one option
- Costco — membership warehouse, ideal for families
Sales tax is added at the register, not included in shelf prices. Tipping culture extends beyond restaurants — delivery drivers, hairdressers and even some counter-service spots now prompt for tips at checkout.
11. Essential apps for life in the USA
Essential for driving directions, transit routes and finding everything from DMVs to Brazilian restaurants.
↗ maps.google.comThe standard way Americans split bills and send each other money — expect friends to ask "do you have Venmo?"
↗ venmo.comFind and book doctors that accept your specific insurance plan — filter by specialty and availability.
↗ zocdoc.comCompares gas prices at nearby stations — genuinely useful given how much prices vary block to block.
↗ gasbuddy.comNeighborhood-level social network — good for local recommendations, safety alerts and secondhand furniture.
↗ nextdoor.comBetter exchange rates than most banks for moving money between BRL and USD accounts.
↗ wise.comTrack BRL → USD rates before you transfer big amounts
IC360's free FX alert tool tells you when the rate hits your target.
Ready to plan your move to the USA?
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