Moving to Brazil from The United States

If you are considering making the move from The United States to Brazil, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Brazil Facts:

Population: 214.3 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: Portuguese (de facto), as well as Spanish and English being widely used
GDP Per Capita: $7,507 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: Nearly two-thirds (or 60%) of the Amazon rainforest is in Brazil
Currency: Brazilian Real (R$). As of early 2024, £1 = R$6.21, €1 = R$5.33, $1 CAD = $R3.64, $1 AUD = R$3.28

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Brazil from The United States

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from a selection of US ports and shipping it to different cities in Brazil:

Origin Port	Destination City	20-foot Container (USD)	40-foot Container (USD)
Charleston	Brasilia	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,200 - $6,900
	Fortaleza	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,900 - $6,600
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,300 - $3,800	$5,600 - $6,300
	Salvador	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,800 - $6,500
	Sao Paulo	$3,200 - $3,700	$5,500 - $6,200
Houston	Brasilia	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,900 - $6,600
	Fortaleza	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,700 - $6,400
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,100 - $3,600	$5,400 - $6,100
	Salvador	$3,300 - $3,800	$5,600 - $6,300
	Sao Paulo	$3,000 - $3,500	$5,300 - $6,000
Long Beach	Brasilia	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,400 - $7,100
	Fortaleza	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,100 - $6,800
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,800 - $6,500
	Salvador	$3,700 - $4,200	$6,000 - $6,700
	Sao Paulo	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,700 - $6,400
Los Angeles	Brasilia	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,400 - $7,100
	Fortaleza	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,100 - $6,800
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,800 - $6,500
	Salvador	$3,700 - $4,200	$6,000 - $6,700
	Sao Paulo	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,700 - $6,400
Miami	Brasilia	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,700 - $6,400
	Fortaleza	$3,200 - $3,700	$5,500 - $6,200
	Rio de Janeiro	$2,900 - $3,400	$5,200 - $5,900
	Salvador	$3,100 - $3,600	$5,400 - $6,100
	Sao Paulo	$2,800 - $3,300	$5,100 - $5,800
New York	Brasilia	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,200 - $6,900
	Fortaleza	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,900 - $6,600
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,300 - $3,800	$5,600 - $6,300
	Salvador	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,800 - $6,500
	Sao Paulo	$3,200 - $3,700	$5,500 - $6,200
Oakland	Brasilia	$4,200 - $4,700	$6,600 - $7,300
	Fortaleza	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,300 - $7,000
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,700 - $4,200	$6,000 - $6,700
	Salvador	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,200 - $6,900
	Sao Paulo	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,900 - $6,600
Savannah	Brasilia	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,900 - $6,600
	Fortaleza	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,700 - $6,400
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,100 - $3,600	$5,400 - $6,100
	Salvador	$3,300 - $3,800	$5,600 - $6,300
	Sao Paulo	$3,000 - $3,500	$5,300 - $6,000
Seattle	Brasilia	$4,200 - $4,700	$6,600 - $7,300
	Fortaleza	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,300 - $7,000
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,700 - $4,200	$6,000 - $6,700
	Salvador	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,200 - $6,900
	Sao Paulo	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,900 - $6,600
Virginia	Brasilia	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,200 - $6,900
	Fortaleza	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,900 - $6,600
	Rio de Janeiro	$3,300 - $3,800	$5,600 - $6,300
	Salvador	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,800 - $6,500
	Sao Paulo	$3,200 - $3,700	$5,500 - $6,200

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (June 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Brazil from The United States?

There can be big discrepancies in moving time duration to and from America due to the vastness of the country.

Let’s take a look at some states from a range of locations in the north, east, south and west of the country to give you an idea of moving time from The United States to Brazil’s main airport.

New York to Sao Paulo Guarulhos International – 9 hours, 55 minutes – $640
Los Angeles to Sao Paulo Guarulhos International – 15 hours, 9 minutes – $680
Minneapolis to Sao Paulo Guarulhos International – 16 hours, 49 minutes – $1,270
Dallas to Sao Paulo Guarulhos International – 10 hours, 20 minutes – $1,000

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Brazil from The United States

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

It’s possible to move to Brazil from The United States to undertake employment, to study, for retirement, and to be reunited with family if they already legally live there.

You will need to ensure your baggage is properly declared, and if you are planning on bringing more than R$10,000 in cash, or traveller’s cheques, you will need to declare this before entering Brazil. Similarly, if you are planning on travelling with a pet into Brazil, you will need to undertake certain processes to ensure your pet is safely allowed entry – which we will cover in later sections.

At present, there are no COVID-19 travel restrictions between The United States and Brazil, but this is subject to change and should be assessed at your exact time of travel.

4. Visa Requirements to Brazil from The United States

Alongside a valid passport, if you are planning on travelling to or staying in Brazil for an extended period, you will need a visa to grant you entry into Brazil.

As of April 10 2024, the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil state that “the Government of Brazil (GOB) will reinstate a visa requirement for all U.S. nationals visiting Brazil, with an option for an e-visa for qualified applicants.”

This is a blanket requirement for citizens from The United States, Canada and Australia. The e-visa is said to cost $81 per person. Once purchased, the e-visa will be valid for 10 years for U.S. citizens, meaning you will be covered for that period for entering and exiting the country.

As with most countries, there are different types of visas available:

Tourist visa – multiple entry up to 90 days stay, valid for 10 years
Artist or athlete visa – multiple entry up to 90 days stay, valid for 90 days
Business visa – multiple entry up to 90 days stay, valid for 10 years
Missionary visa – multiple entry up to 90 days stay, valid for 1 year
Work visa – single entry up to 90 days stay, valid for 90 days

For the business visa in particular, you will need to provide:

A copy of your valid U.S. passport
A passport-style photograph
Itinerary
Bank statement showing last 30 days and at least $2,000
Proof of Brazillian employment on company stationery
Business invitation letter from the ‘host’ company in Brazil

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Brazil

While this article is covering Brazil as a whole, house prices will vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in New York is 59.6% higher than that of Rio de Janeiro, with rent being around 87.2% higher.

Monthly Rental Prices in Brazil:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: R$1,700+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: R$1,100+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: R$3,350+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: R$2,300+

Brazil Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: R$8,600+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: R$6,000+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Brazil

There is an agreement between Brazil and The United States to prevent the double taxation of income – so for any income earned in The United States and already taxed in that country, the same income will benefit from the tax being offset in Brazil so that it isn’t charged twice.

This covers all types of income – business profits, dividends, interest and capital gains. It will typically mean that the country the income is earned in will be the country that taxes the income primarily.

When dealing with matters of taxation, it’s a good idea to ensure you enlist the help of a financial professional to make sure you’re adhering to the most current stipulations to prevent any wrong-doings or errors which could lead to penalties or fines.7.

7. Working Rules in Brazil

As we’ve already covered, you will need a valid passport and suitable visa for the intended purpose of your visit to Brazil from The United States. If you are planning to relocate and work in Brazil, you will need a visa of that nature, along with relevant supporting documents from your prospective employer in Brazil.

To legally work in Brazil as a United States citizen, you will need both a work and residency permit. These work visas can range from:

Business trip visa (VITEM II) – valid for up to 10 years for stays of 90 days or less per year
Temporary work visa (VITEM V) – valid for two years
Permanent work visa – individuals who have invested $50,000 per person, or $200,000 per company can apply for this visa

Your prospective Brazillian employer will need to trigger the work permit application, which will involve the following documents:

Work permit application form
Documentation to prove the ‘legal status’ of the sponsor company
Employment contract signed by both parties
Proof of education/professional experience in the field
Addresses of accommodation and work location in Brazil
Copy of valid passport

As per our previous section on tax treaties, it’s important to enlist the help of a financial professional to advise you on your Brazillian income, and what that means in taxation purposes.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Brazil

Before travelling to a new country, it’s important to get clued up on the healthcare policies to ensure you are armed with knowledge if and when you need to use the healthcare facilities during your visit.

In Brazil, you are entitled to emergency medical treatment in public hospitals, but for anything else – such as private hospitals – you will need to prove you have the financial means to pay for the treatment, or have the relevant medical insurance, to afford the treatment, before medical professionals will start treating you.

Public hospitals in Brazil are commonly crowded and very busy – meaning waits for beds and medication can be lengthy. You must take out relevant medical insurance before travelling to keep you covered in the event of a medical emergency.

If you need to travel to Brazil with medication from The United States, be sure to check if it is legal and permissible to fly before coming to the airport. This will avoid any issues going through border control and ensure that you are operating with the best practices to prevent delays or issues with your travel.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Brazil

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Brazil with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

If you wish to bring your pet cat or dog into Brazil from The United States, you will need to ensure your pet has a microchip fitted – and this must be in place before their rabies vaccine. Once the vaccine has been administered, you must obtain a certificate of vaccination, which must be given to the pet at least 30 days, and less than one year, before travel.

For dogs in particular, you will also need proof of vaccinations against:

Distemper
Hepatitis
Leptospirosis
Parainfluenza
Parvovirus (DHLPP)
Bordetella

And for cats, you will need to show proof of vaccination for:

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
Calicivirus
Panleukopenia (FVRCP)

It may also be necessary to have a parasite treatment administered. You will need to have a Brazillian health certificate, from a USDA-accredited vet, as well as USDA-endorsed certificates for rabies, all vaccines, as well as the health certificate itself.

You will also need to show your valid passport, visa, and boarding pass to gain clearance at customs. If you are at all concerned or confused about what’s needed, be sure to enlist the help of a pet transport company who will be well-versed in these matters to keep the process as calm as possible for yourself and your pet.

10. Similar Cities

There are a few countries to choose from when it comes to comparing different geographical areas to Brazil. Colombia commonly comes top of the list when looking for comparisons to Brazil, as well as Uruguay and Venezuela, according to Objective Lists.

Brazil and Colombia both have similar development levels and ecosystems and are known for their rich cultural heritage. While Brazil is the largest country in South America, Colombia is fourth on the list, and both are home to spectacular natural wonders, such as the Amazon rainforest and the Andes.

Both countries favour vibrant musical scenes, being influenced by dance – Brazil’s samba, Colombia’s salsa – as well as having rich food and drink cultures.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Brazil from The United States

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from The United States to Brazil, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from The United States to Brazil	Disadvantages of Moving from The United States to Brazil
Brazil generally offers a lower cost of living, including affordable housing, food, and entertainment.	The economy's susceptibility to fluctuations may lead to unpredictable price changes, impacting the cost of essential goods and services.
Brazil boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, with influences from various ethnic groups. This creates a rich tapestry of traditions, music, and cuisine.	Challenges in public safety and high crime rates can pose concerns for residents, affecting daily life and personal security.
Brazil's natural landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest to pristine beaches, offer breathtaking beauty and unique ecosystems.	Environmental challenges such as deforestation and pollution may impact the long-term sustainability of these natural wonders.

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to The U.S. Embassy and Consulates for all the information you need.