Americans can move to Brazil with the appropriate visas.
From the breathtaking beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the colorful wildlife along the Amazon River, Brazil is a country that offers an array of activities and an allure to many Americans. Some United States citizens might like the country enough to move there. While it is possible to make the move, the process can be long and stringent, with visas required for all U.S. citizens. However, with enough planning and patience, moving from the U.S. to Brazil is possible and can kick off the adventure of a lifetime.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Decide how long you want to live in Brazil. This is important to know before you leave the U.S. because you'll have to apply for a visa accordingly. Every American needs at least a tourist visa to enter the country, even if she's just staying a week. There are also permanent visas available, but they have a much longer application process.
2. Purchase your plane tickets. Some of the Brazilian visa applications require that you have your tickets purchased before you can apply.
3. Apply for a Brazilian visa. This must be done in person or by an approved third party, such as a family member or hired visa service agent, at a Brazilian consulate. Visas offered include tourist visas, business visas, student visas, missionary visas and permanent visas for retired persons. Each one has a different application process. For example, a tourist visa requires a valid U.S. passport, a photograph and a roundtrip ticket, while a work visa must also include proof of health insurance in Brazil and a letter of invitation from the organization you'll be working with, among other requirements. All of these cost money to apply for and none guarantee approval.
4. Make housing arrangements. Decide which area of Brazil you want to live in and begin searches to find a place to stay. If you know someone in the area, have him check the local classified ads. Otherwise, some websites like Craigslist offer classified ads for many cities outside of the U.S. You can also opt to find housing when you arrive in Brazil; just book a hostel or hotel where you can stay in the meantime.
5. Find a job or figure out how you'll support yourself in Brazil. If you plan to legally work in the country, you must apply for a work visa or business visa, which require local sponsorship. For Americans, teaching English is one of the most attainable jobs in the country. English schools can be found in cities like São Paulo as well as small rural towns. Dave's ESL Cafe is one website you can use to search for teaching positions available in Brazil.
6. Pack the essentials. If you're only going for a few months or a year, consider bringing just one or two suitcases of things you don't think you can live without or won't be able to purchase there. For example, almost all toiletries can be purchased in Brazil. Some medications, on the other hand, should be purchased in the U.S. Also, study the area you'll be living in, and pack for the appropriate weather. If you plan to live in the country only a few months or years, consider placing the rest of your belongings in a storage unit in the U.S., or give them to friends or charities. For those who want to move everything they own to the country, including furniture, hire an international mover. This service can be expensive and take some time to coordinate.
7. Register with the American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit when you arrive in Brazil, which can offer services to U.S. citizens living or traveling in the country. The embassy is in Brasilia, with consulates in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Recife.
