Unemployment drives Brazilians to leave Portugal; America is the way?

Many Brazilians who have decided to cross the Atlantic in search of a better life in Portugal are returning to their home country. Between January and March 2023, the UN on Migration The agency has received 363 requests for help from Brazilians. This figure represents a nearly 300% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

One of the main complaints is the high cost of rent, especially in the big Portuguese cities. On average, it costs 600 euros to rent a room and the Portuguese minimum wage is 700 euros.

In contrast to what is happening in Portugal, the US continues to expand its economy through open markets and hiring people. The State Department announced: Recognizes the positive impact foreign student and temporary work visa holders have on the U.S. economy when they travel to the United States and is committed to making travel easier for immigrants and further reducing visa wait times.

“To move the growing economy of the United States, we need not only tourists, but also manpower, not only for public services, but also for more strategic industries such as technology and health. Since the middle of last year, there has been a positive situation in the American economy and these people are leaving Brazil in search of a better quality of life and more professional development. There is a shortage of professionals,” explains lawyer Leonardo Leo. International Law and Immigration.

No interview required until the end of the year

The good news for those planning to travel to the US for tourism or work is that the government there has extended the authority for embassies and consulates to waive face-to-face interviews until the end of the year. Issuance of certain types of visas.

According to the adopted measure, any visa renewal, including business and tourism (B1/B2), for example, may be exempted from the interview if the previous visa has not expired more than 48 months. Consular officials can waive the requirement for interviews for first-time applications or H-2 visa renewals targeting foreign nationals coming to the United States for temporary and seasonal work.

Counter event: USA vs Portugal

“This is a very positive thing, because it shortens the queue to get a visa. Since the reopening of the American economy, many Brazilians are changing their lives and getting jobs in specialized fields in the United States. As I said, there is a shortage of technical and high-level professionals, so we have noticed an opposite phenomenon in recent months. , many Brazilians are coming back from Portugal due to unemployment and high rent prices, while others are moving to the US precisely because of the lack of manpower”, explains Leo.

Currently, the profile of permanent visa applicants is men and women settled in Brazil, over 30 years old, young people up to 55 years old.

“Many people think that people want to go to America because they have no opportunities and are in financial crisis, but that is not the case. In fact, they have already achieved a lot here in Brazil, but they want a higher quality of life, security, purchasing power, everything that America can offer,” says the expert. .

The lawyer recalled that there are 187 types of visas for the United States. The most common among Brazilians are tourism and business. Permanent visas are mainly required for executives, investors, retirees, researchers, married immigrants or relatives in Brazil.

“Before thinking about changing your life and traveling to America, Portugal or any other place, I advise you to get information from specialized agencies. Precisely do not waste time, energy, work, money and avoid falling for false promises and then having to ask relatives, friends or government agencies for help to return to Brazil. Changing countries is not a big deal, but it is not just traveling around”, he concludes.

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