If you’re thinking of moving from Brazil to the United States, here is some info about visa applications. There are various visas you can choose from if you are looking to move in with your spouse, get a new job, or visit family. Law and Visas will walk you through every aspect of the process, with personal guidance to help you work your way from Brazil to the U.S. The following is a primer on different visas, requirements, and procedures for Brazilian applicants.
Types of U.S. Visas for Brazilian Citizens
It’s a series of different visas, and it is dependent on your circumstances. You need to understand which steps to take depending on whether you are getting a family visa or a fiancé visa. Voici unequivocally some of the most popular types of visa:
K-1 Fiancé Visa
Application Process for Brazil K-1 Visa Candidates General Application Process.
You may apply for a K-1 fiancé visa if you are married to a U.S. citizen and want to marry a U.S. Brazilian citizen – K-1 visa application process: the application process for the K-1 visa is similar to that for foreigners.
You would need to petition the U.S. Department of State to get the K-1 fiancé visa.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and take a few steps like medical exams, interviews, and filing the documents. Processing times and fees for Brazilian applicants aren’t necessarily consistent, so be prepared.
Brazilian K-1 Approvals Processing Time: Prepare for several months for USCIS to review your petition. You will then proceed to consular processing in the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian Applicants Cost: The application fees can be petition fees, visa application fees, medical tests, and translation fees.
Marriage-Based Green Card
Application for General Marriage Green Cards Process.
Marriage-based green card to work and live in the US if married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. It is a pretty similar procedure for Brazilian citizens to those of other nationals, though it depends on where you live and if the sponsor in the U.S. is a citizen or permanent resident.
Brazilian Applicants Timeline: Wait times can be different depending on your specific situation, for example, if your spouse is based in Brazil or the U.S.
Brazilian Candidates Cost: Petitions for marriage green cards can cost from petition to visa and medical tests.
Read the Law and Visas marriage-based green card guide for more information about wait times, fees, and eligibility requirements.
What Visa Is Right For Me?
The right visa is what you have to decide. If, for instance, you are married to a U.S. citizen, then a marriage-based green card could be for you. For those of you who are engaged, then you should look at the K-1 fiancé visa. There are differences between visas concerning requirements, timelines, and costs, so be sure to check before you apply.
Immigrating with Children
You are moving from Brazil with kids and some visas can bring your family.
K-2 Visa (For Children of K-1 Visa Holders)
You can get a K-2 visa if you are applying for a K-1 fiancé visa, and you have children below 21. The kids can get this visa to enter the US together with the fiancé visa holder.
Our team at Law and Visas can help add your unmarried children under 21 to your K-1 fiancé visa application for free. This makes it easier to take your kids into the US.
IR-2 Child Visas
You may be able to apply to sponsor your child for a green card using the IR-2 child visa if you are a U.S. citizen and your child lives in Brazil. This visa is granted to unmarried minors under 21.
For $450 per child Law and Visas can help include your children on your green card application, making the immigration process a breeze for your whole family.
U.S. Embassy Information in Brazil
Processing of all U.S. immigrant visa applications from Brazil is carried out in the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro. Here is the consulate’s contact information:
U.S. Consulate Rio de Janeiro
Address: Av. Presidente Wilson, 147 – Castelo, 20030-020-Rio de Janeiro, RJ.
Phone: (55-21) 3823-2000
Email Address For Immigrant Visa Questions: immigrationrio@state.gov
In 3 business days, you should receive a reply.
Special Considerations for Brazilian Applicants
There are also special requirements if you have already been in the US under a J-1 or J-2 visa (used by students or dependents) that might affect your visa application.
J-1/J-2 Visa Holders
You could have a two-year home-country physical presence requirement if you had a J-1 or J-2 visa. Then you have to come back to Brazil twice, and then you can get a second US visa.
But if you want to come back to the U.S. sooner (e.g., on a K-1 visa or a marriage green card), you will have to first ask for a waiver from the Brazilian government and then ask for a U.S. waiver. You have to get these waivers for your immigration application.
ASC Biometrics for Brazilian Applicants
All Brazilian immigrants are asked to schedule an Appropriate Service Center (ASC) visit to provide biometric information (photos and fingerprints) before their visa interview at the US Consulate in Rio de Janeiro.
This is different from the passport photo you need for your visa. Remember to bring another passport photo with you to your interview even if you have already received biometrics.
More information on ASC locations and the biometrics process is available on the U.S. Embassy’s website.
It is very important to be organized and knowledgeable about the visa process to go from Brazil to the U.S. You might be applying for a K-1 fiancé visa, a marriage-based green card, or even with your kids in tow, so know what you need to do.
We at Law and Visas would be happy to support you the entire way and provide customized assistance so that your immigration process is as effortless as possible. To know more and get help applying for your U.S. visa, contact us today.
