Two of the world's largest countries, Brazil and the United States, ended 2024 in contrasting employment situations. Here in Brazil, unemployment ended at 7.8%, the best since 2014, but still 16.7 million unemployed. In the USA the situation is completely different: with a rate of 3.7%, the North American country is in a state of “full employment”.
American companies are struggling to attract talent
According to a survey commissioned by Avalara, a tax automation software company, 84% of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the United States and United Kingdom find it difficult to attract and retain talent for their accounting and finance teams. This situation opens up a number of opportunities for immigrants, including Brazilians.
“The United States is the largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) estimated at $26.95 trillion. The country absorbs all available labor. This creates competition between employers who are competing for good and qualified employees,” explains Gustavo Rene Nicolau, founding attorney at the US immigration office Green Card.
Demand in the USA requires the import of qualified specialists
According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Immigration, the United States needs to import skilled workers, primarily in science, health, technology, engineering and mathematics. As economic growth exceeds financial market forecasts, demand will become even greater.
The GDP of the states of California ($3.5 trillion) and New York ($2.2 trillion) is larger than the entire GDP of Brazil about $1.6 trillion. Given this need for maintenance and growth, as the lawyer notes, several employment opportunities arise.
A work and residence visa is required to enter the USA
To work in the United States, you need a work and residence visa. If a company in the country asks the government to hire a foreign specialist, the visa can be issued within 6 months. However, if the application does not come from a company, the immigrant can also apply for the green card himself in this case the waiting time can be up to one and a half years.
The basic criteria for applying for a visa include, among other things, a completed university degree, recognition in the professional field, author of scientific publications, publication of articles in the press and a license to practice a profession.
Amid this reality, it is important to note that personal experience provides greater opportunities for advancement due to greater proximity to the company and its employees. However, many companies are open to remote work, especially in technology areas such as programming, development and data.