How to work in the United States as a Brazilian: legal pathways
The main visas and pathways for a Brazilian to work legally in the US, what each one requires, and which is usually the most accessible for people without a degree.
Redação H2A Works Updated on October 30, 2026 9 min read
To work legally in the United States, a Brazilian needs a visa or an authorization that allows work, and it almost always starts with a job offer. There is no "job search" visa, and a tourist visa does not allow you to work. The right path depends on your profession, your education and how long you want to stay.
Quick answer: with a degree and a company willing to sponsor you, the common path is the H-1B. Inside the same company, L-1. With an exceptional record, O-1 or a merit-based green card. Studying, F-1 with OPT. Without a degree, the most accessible path is usually the H-2A visa, for temporary agricultural work.
The main pathways for Brazilians
H-1B: specialty occupations
It is for occupations that normally require a university degree in the field (technology, engineering, finance, health). A US company has to sponsor you. There is an annual cap on visas and a selection by lottery: since the 2027 season, a US government rule gives better odds to registrations with higher wages. Since September 2025 there has also been a requirement to pay US$ 100,000 on new petitions for people outside the US, which is being challenged in court and has changed status during 2026. Check the current rules on the USCIS website before deciding.
For people who already work for a multinational with a US branch and are transferred there, usually after at least one year with the company abroad. No lottery, but it requires that link between the companies.
O-1 and merit-based green cards (EB-1, EB-2 NIW)
The O-1 is for people with proven extraordinary ability in their field. The EB-1 and EB-2 green cards with a national interest waiver (NIW) allow, in some cases, people to file on their own, with no sponsoring employer. The standard of proof is high and an immigration lawyer is usually needed.
F-1 with OPT: study and work afterward
With a student visa you can work in jobs related to your course after graduating (OPT, plus an extension for STEM fields). It is an expensive path: you must prove you have the funds to pay for the course and your stay.
H-2A and H-2B: temporary work
The H-2A is for temporary or seasonal agricultural work, with no annual cap and no lottery. The H-2B is for temporary non-agricultural work, such as hospitality and landscaping, and has an annual cap. In both, the employer files for the visa, and the rules on pay, housing and transportation are described in the job offer. See the difference in H-2A or H-2B.
Tourist visa: it does not authorize work. Working on it can cost you the visa and future entry.
How to choose your path
Answer four questions:
Do you have a degree or advanced experience in your field? If so, H-1B, L-1, O-1 or a merit-based green card are on the table. If not, look at temporary visas.
Is there a company willing to sponsor you? Most pathways depend on it.
How much can you invest? Studying in the US costs far more than a temporary work visa.
Do you want to settle for good or earn dollars for a season? Temporary visas serve the second goal.
Practical steps, whatever the visa
A US-style résumé: one page (two with lots of experience), with no photo, age, marital status or CPF, with results in numbers.
A LinkedIn profile in English, with the same focus as the résumé.
English for the interview: practice the common questions and be honest about your visa from the start.
Networking: many US jobs are filled by referral, so talk to Brazilians who already work there.
Beware of scams: no serious job charges to "guarantee" a visa. See H-2A job scams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest US work visa to get?
It depends on your profile. People without a degree usually have more access to the H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (temporary non-agricultural), because they do not require a university degree and, in the H-2A's case, there is no lottery. Even so, the employer is the one hiring, and the visa is decided by US authorities.
Can I go to the US as a tourist and look for a job there?
No. A tourist visa does not allow work and is not a way to find a job. Look for the job first, from outside the country.
Do I need an immigration lawyer?
For complex cases, such as O-1 and merit-based green cards, it is well worth it. For H-2A visas, the employer handles the visa process, but you should check the contract before accepting.
Can I work for a US company without leaving Brazil?
Yes, many companies hire Brazilians as remote contractors. This does not give you the right to live in the US, but it is a way to earn dollars. See remote work or working in the US.
Where H2A Works fits in
If you do not have a degree, do not have a company to sponsor you and want to earn dollars, the most accessible path is usually an H-2A job. H2A Works gathers the public job offers from the US Department of Labor, shows the pay, housing and period of each one, helps you build your résumé and email in English, and sends your application straight to the employer from your own Gmail.
Start with the open H-2A jobs, learn about the H-2A visa and create your free account. We never charge for a job and we do not promise a hire or a visa: that depends on the employer and US authorities.
H2A Works does not sell jobs, does not promise hiring and does not guarantee visa approval. Rules may change; confirm important decisions on the official sources indicated in the article.
