Бразилія є другою країною за кількістю відкритих компаній у США.

A greater number of Brazilian companies are internationalising their businesses in the United States. This is according to a survey by AG Immigration, an immigration law firm specialising in green cards, based on information from the US Department of State.

Between January and May of this year, 4,179 L visas US visas were issued to Brazilian citizens – a 14.4% increase compared to the first five months of 2023. The L visa is for transferring multinational executives and establishing businesses in the US.

The document allows foreign nationals – and their dependents – to enter the US to establish branch offices, subsidiaries, or affiliates of their businesses, which is particularly beneficial for companies looking to expand operations into the world's largest consumer market.

"In some cases, where the Brazilian company already has a US operation, the L visa can also be used to bring employees from Brazil to the United States," explains businesswoman Leda Oliveira, CEO of AG Immigration, highlighting that the visa initially allows the individual to stay in the country for 5 to 7 years." 

However, it is common for a visa beneficiary to subsequently apply for permanent residency (the so-called Green card"To live here permanently," says Leda, who has been in the country for 14 years, having entered precisely on an L visa.

Currently, the US has 8.1 million job openings, but only 6.6 million unemployed people, according to data from the US Department of Labor. This is one of the lowest unemployment rates in history. Even with this situation, which is driving up wages and making hiring difficult, companies are still seeking to expand their businesses in the US, due to the high purchasing power of Americans.

Brazil is the second country to receive the most L-visas, behind only India, which had 18,508 authorisations issued between January and May 2024. China (4,117), Mexico (3,074), and Japan (3,046) complete the top five in the ranking. 

According to the CEO of AG Immigration, the popularity of the L visa among Brazilian businesspeople and executives also reflects the brain drain observed in recent years. "Salaries in the US are significantly higher compared to Brazil, so highly skilled professionals are attracted to this situation," she says.

Last year, 28,050 Brazilians received a green card, the highest number ever recorded by the US government.

Countries with the most US L Visas (Jan-May 2024)

1. India: 18.508
2. Бразилия; 4.179
3. China: 4.117
4. Мексика: 3.074
5. Japan: 3.046
6. South Korea: 2.938
7. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: 2.625
8. France: 2.527
9. Germany: 1.644
10. Israel: 1.097

US L Visa Issuance for Brazilians (January-May 2018-2024)