United States Visas
Residency in the United States offers access to the best job market in the world
United States - The Best Job Market in the World
The Advantages of US Residency
US residency is a powerful document.
- Taxes: Better taxation on earned income. Tax rates higher than 27% (equivalent to Brazil) only apply to income above 182,000 USD per year.
- Networking: The world's largest economy, a leader in diverse industries.
- Economic Freedom: 25th place in the Index of Economic Freedom (Brazil is 133rd).
- Language: English as the official language, high level of Spanish in many states.
- Banking: Access to the world's best credit cards and loan access.
The 2 Best US Visa Options
The United States has dozens of immigration options. In fact, it is one of the countries with the most complex immigration processes in the world. At Settee, we work with the two most popular and attractive immigration pathways for our readers.
The Student Visa (F1 and F2)
The United States Student Visa (F1) is a fantastic gateway to life in the US, and with our latest partnership, we now also cover this visa option for you.
Once you are legally in the US, it becomes much easier to find job offers that allow you to obtain an immigrant visa. It is also worth mentioning that with a student visa, it is possible to live in the US for 2-5 years without becoming a tax resident, which allows you to live tax-free in the US on your income from outside the country. More details below.
Study Duration: The minimum study period is 1 month. The longer the planned study period, the higher the chances of approval. It is important to highlight that it is possible to renew the study period without additional costs or bureaucracy, regardless of the time initially planned, and even if the 4-year visa has already expired. Some people stay in the country for 7-8 years studying, simply by renewing their study period.
For example, if a student initially studied for 2 months and decides to extend their period for another 12 months, they can present a bank statement with sufficient funds to support themselves for that period, and the school will automatically renew their enrollment for 12 months, at no extra cost and without going through immigration review.
Financial Proof: To ensure financial viability during the study period, it is necessary to prove a minimum capacity to support yourself, without working, in the amount of at least $2,000 per month of study.
Work Opportunities: During the study period, it is possible to work legally for up to 20 hours per week, exclusively on the school or university campus. In some cases, usually after 1 year of study, it is possible to request an exception to work 40 hours per week.
Costs and Fees: Currently, the mentorship fee for obtaining the visa is $590 for the primary applicant, with an additional $120 for each dependent. It is important to note that, in the context of the mentorship, spouses and children under 21 are considered dependents. Additionally, a school enrollment fee of $100 to $300 per family is required.
For the Student Visa, it is important to account for an additional fee of $185 per person for scheduling the interview at the consulate or embassy. For each family, regardless of the number of people, there is also a $350 fee to register with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), which is mandatory.
In other words, the total cost of the visa for 1 person would be USD 1,200-1,400, and for a couple with 2 children, it would be USD 1,950-2,150.
Support: Assistance and support will be provided in Portuguese or English.
At Settee, we have trusted partners who can help with Student Visa applications as well as other non-immigrant visas, such as Tourist or Business visas. More details below.
Visa for highly qualified professionals (EB2-NIW and EB1)
The purpose of the EB2 – National Interest Waiver visa is to bring highly qualified professionals who are of interest to the country without burdening American companies with sponsorship processes, which can be long and expensive.
Through this type of visa, the applicant presents themselves to US immigration, independently, by meeting the academic and professional requirements stipulated by the USCIS itself, justifying the reasons why they should be considered a foreign national of national interest.
In plain English: Professionals who meet the qualifications for the EB2-NIW do not need a job offer. They sponsor their own visa.
In this context, it is worth mentioning that professionals in areas of high national demand – such as Information Technology, Engineering, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Accounting, Aviation, Dentistry, among others – are extremely welcome in the country when they meet the visa eligibility requirements.
The benefits of this visa are enormous. In addition to waiving the Labor Certification process, which is extremely bureaucratic and costly for American companies, the visa leads the applicant directly to a Green Card, a document for permanent residency in the country valid for 10 years – an obvious path to American citizenship.
Recently, many entrepreneurs have even been giving up on the EB5 visa due to the $900,000 minimum investment in favor of the EB2-NIW, which has a total cost of less than $25,000. Since the NIW (National Interest Waiver) waives the need for a formal job offer, excluding the labor certification part, it simplifies the process and attracts many qualified professionals interested in being their own petitioners.
The first subcategory of the visa (Advanced Degree) requires the applicant to have at least 5 years of progressive experience in their field after completing a bachelor's degree and/or postgraduate level.
In the second (Exceptional Ability), the potentially eligible applicant must possess at least three of the following qualification aspects:
- Completed undergraduate degree
- Proof of at least ten years of experience in the field
- License to practice professionally when required
- Remuneration above the market average (which, according to USCIS, indicates that the professional's qualifications are also above average)
- Being a member of a professional association and, whenever possible, presenting other evidence regarding your qualifications, such as media appearances, certificates, extracurricular courses, published articles, participation in lectures, conferences, and symposiums, or having your work recognized by companies, professionals, or government entities.
It is crucial, however, that each resume be evaluated by an immigration professional capable of identifying the key aspects to present the applicant to US immigration in a satisfactory manner.
Through Settee's trusted partners, we offer a free resume evaluation for EB2-NIW and EB1 visas if you have at least 5 years of professional experience, a degree, or other significant professional distinctions. Settee does not process US visa applications directly as we do for other countries.
More information about the United States
You can find more information and documents here:
- Article: How to Move to the United States - Visa and Residency Options
- Article: Opening Bank Accounts in the USA: A Practical Guide for Non-Residents
- Article: Why Is Incorporating an LLC in the USA a Good Idea?
- Article: 12 Use Cases for a US LLC - and 2 Special Ones
- Service: US ITIN for Opening Accounts in the USA
- Service: US LLC Formation - Your Company in the USA
- Podcast: Living and Doing Business in the United States of America - with Oliver Jesus
- Podcast: International Taxation and Accounting in the USA - with Bianca and Juliana from Ace Advisors
- Podcast: Everything You Need to Know About US Student Visas - with Cristiano Paz (Moove)
- Podcast: Family Life in the USA - with Julio Santos and Patrícia Trevisan
Visa Prices and Options
Non-Immigrant Student, Business, and Tourist Visas
US$220-599
- Visa consulting or status change costs range from US$220 to US$599 for the primary applicant. Discounts available for dependents.
- Additional costs for the Student visa mentioned above.
- These visas do not lead to a Green Card or American citizenship.
- For Student visas: Allows you to exclude your time spent in the US from tax residency calculations for 2-5 years, ensuring exemption on income earned outside the US.
EB2-NIW and EB1 Visas
US$15,800-22,800
- Consulting and visa application costs range from US$15,800 to US$22,800, depending on the payment plan.
- Does not include legal, apostille, or translation fees.
- Payment plans available for up to 18 installments.
- Leads directly to permanent residency in the US (Green Card) and eventually to American citizenship.
- Allows you to work in the United States and start a business.
- No job offer required.
- Free resume assessment ONLY if you have at least 5 years of professional experience, a higher education degree, or significant professional distinction.
Is American Residency right for me?
We recommend the American Residency for:
- Highly qualified professionals: Those who work in fields such as technology, healthcare, engineering, or other high-demand industries may be eligible for visas that lead to residency, such as the EB2 NIW and EB1.
- Students with long-term plans: Those who study at US universities on an F-1 visa may be eligible for tax benefits.
- Those who want to pay less tax on their work: Depending on the state, you may have interesting tax advantages.
- People who need easier access to loans: Being a resident makes it easier to obtain credit and financing in the world's largest financial market.
- Those looking for professional connections: Living in the US opens doors to building a strong network with influential companies and professionals.
We Do Not Recommend US Residency For:
- Those with no interest in living or investing in the US: If you do not intend to live, invest, or do business in the United States, the residency process may not be the best option as it is expensive and complicated. For those seeking more flexibility, Paraguay may be a more advantageous alternative.
- Those who do not meet the eligibility requirements: If you do not fit the visa requirements, such as proof of income, professional experience, or investments, it can be difficult to obtain residency.
- Those looking for a low-cost country: The US is one of the most expensive countries to live in in the world.
Results that speak for themselves
Below you can see the testimonial of a Settee referral who had their EB-1 visa approved in 4 days with our partners!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The simplest visas to apply for are the Tourism and Business visas (B1 and B2) and the Student visa (F1). This is due to the speed of the process and the eligibility criteria.
Every US visa has a specific purpose.
Business and Tourism visas are recommended for those who only want to visit the US occasionally.
The Student visa is an interesting option for those looking to live in the US for the short to medium term, potentially without becoming a tax resident, and with an affordable process.
The EB1 and EB2 visas are much more expensive and harder to qualify for, but they allow you to work in the US without limitations and obtain a Green Card and, eventually, US citizenship. We recommend these to people who are certain they want to live in the US for the medium to long term.
No. Settee does not process US visas directly, but we refer you to companies with whom we have had a long-standing relationship. Our partners are experts in the F1 student visa. They will help you find the institution that will issue the I-20, guide you through your entire application plan, and handle every step for you. In the end, you will be coached through simulations and training on how to use your interview to your advantage to ensure your approval.
For non-immigrant visas such as Student, Tourism, and Business, it is not necessary (and depending on the visa, not even permitted) to live in the U.S.
For visas that lead to a Green Card, such as the EB1 and EB2, the situation is different. Once a Green Card is obtained, a person cannot be absent for very long periods without justification, or they risk losing their Green Card.
Yes, it is possible for a time. Student visas allow you to exclude your days of stay from the tax residency count for 2-5 years. As a non-tax resident, only your U.S.-sourced income is taxed. Therefore, if your income comes entirely from abroad, it is possible to be legally tax-exempt for a few years in the U.S.
Yes. If you obtain an immigrant visa that leads to a Green Card, such as the EB2-NIW, the process would be:
- Permanent Residency. With the EB2-NIW and EB1, you can skip directly to this stage.
- Citizenship. After 5 years of permanent residency, you can apply for U.S. citizenship. A minimum physical presence in the territory of two and a half years is required, and absences of more than six months reset the clock.
- Passport. Once you are a U.S. citizen, you can apply for a U.S. passport.