Brazil has been struggling with a serious crisis for several years. In this scenario of economic difficulties, many Brazilians seek for alternatives abroad. The relative growth of countries such as the United States and, especially, Portugal appears as an important attraction for our emigrants. With this in mind, a very important question comes up: What are the legal requirements for finding formal jobs in those countries? In this text, we present possible paths for those who are interested.
Portugal
The former metropolis is on the rise among Brazilians. The economic growth induced by the Portuguese “contraption” – a kind of social-democratic adjustment driven by a developmentalist left – created more jobs in the country. Relatively high remunerations and social stability complete the panorama that, for many, is like a dream. But before making daring plans, be aware that Portuguese bureaucracy is very much like ours.
To work in Portugal, some documents are indispensable. The most important one is the NIF (Individual registration number). To complete the list, there’s the NISS (Social Security identification number), and a work visa.
This last item is, by far, the most complicated. To get it, it’s usually necessary to have an invitation-letter or a letter of recommendation from a Portuguese employer. Therefore, don’t expect to collect the documents and start looking for a job. It is basic to have a job in view already before travelling to Europe.
For those with dual citizenship – Brazilian and Portuguese – however, the situation is much easier. Identified as a citizen like any other in the country, you can look for a job with a respectable remuneration in a growing economy. Reports say that it won’t be hard to find an opening in one of the country’s big cities.
United States
The arrival of Donald Trump to the presidency has brought two diametrically inverse consequences for those who dream of moving to the United States. The republican president has increased the possibility of jobs for local classes, especially in the regions that comprise the “rust belt” – former industrial cities that were suffering from lack of jobs. However, not all is a bed of roses. The president has toughened up immigration rules. So, getting a green card and a work visa in the US is relatively more difficult than it was during the Obama years.
To walk this arduous route with a higher chance of success, some tips must be followed. First, consider entering the country with a student visa. Although, according to Brazilian standards, it is quite expensive to enter a teaching institution, getting a student visa allows for a longer stay than a tourist permit. Thus, you can attempt to legalize the stay in the country while already there, which offers some benefits, such as the possibility of going personally to the organs in charge, thus demonstrating good civil practices.
Once on American soil, get in touch with the USCIS (American Citizenship and Immigration Services). The work permit granted by this organ is an extremely valuable document that will pave your way to the famous Green Card. With the work permit, the immigrant can get a driver’s license – required for many jobs – and a Social Security number. Thus, with this document the immigrant can lead a respectable life even before acquiring the Green Card, which allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the USA.
The work permit is undeniably the second most important document that an immigrant can obtain in the USA. With it, there is no danger of being deported arbitrarily by authorities. Furthermore, it gives access to services offered to American citizens, such as permission to open accounts and to apply for credit cards – basic items for the American way of life.
