Understand the rise of qualified Brazilian immigration to the United States and learn what are the most common areas of training among professionals hired by US companies
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of Brazilians who choose to live and work in, especially among highly qualified professionals. This movement reached record levels between 2022 and 2024, reflecting changes in both the migratory scenario and the owner demands.
Record in the issuance of work visas
In 2024, the United States issued 2,793 of high level work (EB-1 and EB-2 categories) to Brazilians. This number exceeds the sum of the visas granted in 2021 and 2022, indicating a growing appreciation of Brazilian professionals with exceptional skills or advanced academic education.
EB-1 visa is intended for individuals with extraordinary skills in areas such as science, arts, education, business or sports. To qualify, the candidate must meet at least three of the ten established criteria, such as nationally or internationally recognized awards, affiliation in associations that require excellence from their members and relevant academic contributions.
The EB-2 visa is aimed at professionals with exceptional skills or advanced degrees, such as master’s or doctorate. A subcategory, the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), allows the candidate to request the visa without the need for a job offer, provided that he proves that his work is of national interest to the United States.
Increased Green Cards concession
The number of Brazilians who received permanent residency (Green Card) in the US also increased. By 2023, almost 30,000 Brazilians obtained the Green Card, representing a 16% increase compared to 2022. This growth reflects the appreciation of Brazilian professionals in the US labor market, especially in areas with the scarcity of qualified work. In addition, policies that facilitate the permanence of foreign students in the US contribute to this increase.
President Donald Trump suggested that foreign students trained at American universities should automatically receive a Green Card, allowing them to remain in the country and contribute to the economy; He is also in favor of valuing notorious talents from other countries, just as the US has historically done with Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, J. Robert Oppenheimer among other geniuses. This proposal aims to attract talents favoring American innovation and technology, and benefits both professionals and the country.
Growth of professionals with higher education
In recent years, a significant increase in the migration of Brazilian professionals with higher education to the United States has been observed, especially in the areas of Information Technology (IT). In 2022, the number of work visas granted to Brazilians with higher education jumped from 147 by 2021 to 1,983, representing a growth of more than 13 times.
This increase reflects the appreciation of Brazilian professionals in the US labor market, particularly in sectors with scarcity of qualified labor. In addition to graduation, there are a growing number of Brazilians with a master’s degree and doctorate seeking opportunities in the United States. These professionals are highly valued in sectors that require advanced technical and academic knowledge.
The most common training areas among Brazilian professionals hired by US companies include cybersecurity, software engineering, computer science, computer engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, computer networks technology – cloud computing, as well as systems analysis and development. These graduations are highly demanded in the US market, reflecting the search for qualified professionals in these areas.
Importance of legal and qualified immigration
Legal and qualified immigration is fundamental for both the United States and Brazilian professionals. For the US, these professionals fill gaps in the job market, drive innovation and contribute to economic growth. For Brazilians, it represents the opportunity for professional and personal development in an environment that values their skills.
Obtaining visas such as EB-1 and EB-2 requires compliance with rigorous criteria, ensuring that only highly qualified professionals are admitted. This process ensures that immigration positively contributes to the country, maintaining high standards of excellence. Policies that encourage the permanence of foreign students trained in the US, such as Donald Trump’s proposal, reinforce the importance of retaining talents that have already shown competence and adaptation to the country’s academic and cultural environment.
Digital sovereignty and technological self -sufficiency
The growing migration of qualified professionals abroad raises concerns about Brazil’s ability to maintain and develop its own technological basis. Dependence on foreign technologies, especially in critical areas such as digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, can compromise the country’s digital sovereignty.
Digital sovereignty refers to control over digital assets, including data, software, hardware and infrastructure. It is the ability to influence and regulate digital technologies and their dynamics, ensuring that they are aligned with the values and interests of a state or community.
To face these challenges, it is essential that Brazil promotes concrete debates and actions to strengthen its digital sovereignty and technological self -sufficiency. Investments in Education, Research and Development, as well as public policies that encourage innovation, are critical to keeping the country competitive in an increasingly digital global scenario.
CNPPD 2025: largest networking event among LGPD professionals in Brazil
Given these challenges, the VI National Congress of Data Privacy Professionals (CNPPD 2025) It represents an opportunity for exchange between IT professionals and General Personal Data Protection Law (LGPD) who are in Brazil, with others who have emigrated to the United States, both will address aspects of digital sovereignty in the world.
The event will be held on June 27 and 28, 2025, in São Paulo, SP, and will be attended by experts, professionals and authorities in the area of data privacy and information security.
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*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the young Pan.
