Visa guide
How to work in the US as a Brazilian
There are legal ways to work in the United States, but each one fits a profile: with a degree, without a degree, inside a multinational or studying. Compare and choose yours.
People without a degree usually have easier access to the H-2A visa, for temporary agricultural work, with no lottery.
Which pathway fits you
Each visa has its own requirements. The final decision always belongs to the employer and US authorities.
H-1B
Professionals with a degree in the field
Specialty occupations, such as technology, engineering, finance and health. Requires a sponsoring company and goes through an annual lottery.
H-1B or H-2AL-1
People who already work at a multinational
Transfer to the US branch, usually after one year with the company. No lottery, but it requires the link between the companies.
See all pathwaysO-1 and merit-based green card
Professionals with an exceptional record
Proven extraordinary ability. Some green cards let you apply without a company, but the standard of proof is high.
See all pathwaysF-1 with OPT
People who want to study in the US
A student visa, with work in your field after graduating. Requires proof of funds for the course and your stay.
See all pathwaysH-2A
People without a degree who accept field work
Temporary agricultural work. No lottery or annual cap on visas; housing and transportation provided by the employer.
H-2A visa guideH-2B
Temporary work outside agriculture
Hospitality, landscaping and other seasons. Has an annual cap on visas.
H-2A or H-2BWork and Travel (J-1)
University students
A few-month exchange during the course break, through an authorized agency. It is not a visa to live in the US or build a career.
How it worksAu Pair (J-1)
People aged 18 to 26
Living with an American family and caring for children for about a year, with a required course. Also temporary.
Requirements and rulesGreen Card lottery
Brazilians, in general, cannot take part
Brazil is on the list of excluded countries. There are exceptions through a spouse or parents, and many scams.
Understand the rulesRemote work
Digital professionals
Earn dollars without changing countries. It gives no right to live or work inside the US.
Remote or in the US
No degree? Start with the H-2A
The H-2A is the temporary agricultural work visa. It is the most accessible path for people without a university education who want to earn dollars for a season.
- No degree required and no lottery
- No annual cap on visas
- The employer cannot charge the worker recruitment costs
- Housing at no cost and daily transportation between housing and work
- Pay set in each job offer, in dollars
5,006 H-2A jobs open right now
Guides to read next
Content to understand each pathway before you decide.
- How to work in the US as a Brazilian: legal pathways
- US work visa without a degree: what options exist
- H-1B or H-2A: what is the difference and which is more accessible
- Green Card lottery: can Brazilians take part?
- Working for a US company: remote from Brazil or in the US?
- How the H-2A program works: a complete guide
- H-2B visa: how it works, jobs and differences from the H-2A
- How to find companies that sponsor US work visas
- How much can you save working on the H-2A: a simulation
- H-2A after 30 and 40: is there an age limit?
- US résumé: resume vs CV, template and common mistakes
- Job interview in English: common questions and the STAR method
- F-1 visa and OPT: how to study and work in the US
What to avoid
- Paying to "guarantee" a job or a visa: legitimate H-2A jobs do not charge the worker.
- A tourist visa to work: it does not authorize work.
- Intermediaries who promise a draw or approval: no company controls the visa decision.
- Offers that arrive by random message, with no identified employer: check them first in Verify a job.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Working in the US: frequently asked questions
What is the easiest work visa for Brazilians?
It depends on the profile. People without a degree usually have more access to the H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (temporary non-agricultural). People with a degree and a sponsoring company can look at the H-1B. The final decision belongs to the employer and US authorities.
Can I work in the US on a tourist visa?
No. A tourist visa does not authorize work and is not a way to find a job. The job must be found first, from outside the country.
Can Brazilians take part in the Green Card lottery?
In general no: Brazil is on the list of countries whose natives cannot apply. There are rare exceptions, through the country of birth of a spouse or parents. Check the official instructions for the year.
Does the H-2A require a degree or fluent English?
It does not require a degree. English and experience requirements vary by job and appear in each offer's description. A short résumé and email in English already help.
Do I need to pay to get an H-2A job?
Under the program's rules, the employer cannot charge the worker recruitment or certification costs. Be wary of anyone who charges to guarantee a job or visa.
Does the H-2A lead to a green card?
Not directly. It is a temporary work visa, and people using it must show they intend to return at the end of the contract.