Brazil
Country introduction
Inhabitants:215.3 million
E-2 country:No
Understanding E-2 treaty countries and Brazil's exclusion
The E-2 visa is available for nationals from countries with which the United States has entered into a particular treaty of commerce and navigation. Such treaties provide the facility for citizens of these respective treaty countries to invest in and manage businesses in the U.S. under the E-2 visa program. Countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and others have this kind of treaty with the United States, and their nationals can apply for an E-2 visa.
However, not all countries have such agreements, and Brazil happens to be part of those without an E-2 treaty with the U.S. No Brazilian national can therefore apply for an E-2 visa. The exclusion of Brazil from the list of countries that would enjoy an E-2 treaty is because it does not have any bilateral treaty that will allow such visa benefits. This generally reduces the range of visa options available for investors from Brazil who seek to start or operate businesses in the United States. Nonetheless, there are alternative pathways for Brazilian nationals to apply for an E-2 visa, such as obtaining citizenship from a country that does have an E-2 treaty with the U.S. For example, countries like Grenada and Turkey offer citizenship by investment programs that can provide eligibility for the E-2 visa.
Hear the success stories of some of our former Brazilian clients!
Alternative visa options for Brazilian
Although Brazil is not an E-2 treaty country, there are other available options for Brazilian investors. Under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, foreigners can obtain a U.S. green card by holding a significant investment in a U.S. business; this requires at least $800,000 if in a targeted employment area. Another option is the EB-2 National Interest Waiver, which waives the labor certification and job offer requirements if a petitioner can demonstrate that their work is in the national interest of the U.S.

Additionally, Brazilian nationals can obtain E-2 visa eligibility by obtaining citizenship from a third country that has an E-2 treaty with the U.S. Finally, the O-1 visa is available for individuals who have extraordinary abilities in the sciences, business, arts, or such recognized fields of endeavor to come to the United States to live and work based on extraordinary achievements. These options allow the avenues through which Brazilian investors may establish a place of business in the United States to open themselves out.