Things to know before moving from Brazil to the US

So far we’ve been taking a look at what you should prepare for in case you are moving to Brazil. We’ve talked about cultural differences and job seeking. Now, the time has come to take a look at what to expect if you’re moving in the opposite direction. We’ll be talking about Brazilians who move away from Brazil and sometimes come back home only to emigrate again. Furthermore, we’ll be taking a look at American expats who decide to move back into the USA and why. Here are the things to know before moving from Brazil to the US.

Why Americans move to Brazil

While Brazilians tend to move to the USA in order to find steady work, Americans that do move to Brazil do it because they’ve heard stuff about the country and are intrigued by it. Usually, they would first visit the country as tourists and afterward would look for ways to move there. The biggest obstacle Americans face when moving to Brazil from the US is the language barrier. Growing up in the US, kids tend to neglect their language classes. Add to that that Portuguese is nowhere as spread out as Spanish in the US and you’ll realize why learning it is difficult. Nevertheless, those that stay in Brazil for good management to learn it as if it were their mother tongue.

Why are Americans moving from Brazil to the US?

Usually, this is due to work and family reasons. Either, they have difficulties finding a job, or perhaps the company that sent them to Brazil wants them somewhere else. Also, learning Portuguese can represent an issue. Therefore, some of the American expats decide to return to their motherland and pursue a career there.

Situation in Brazil

Since the Financial crisis of 2007-2008 struck, the world economy has taken a steep dive. It’s taken years for countries to exit recession, while some are still feeling the consequences. Brazil wasn’t one of those. Brazil’s economy absorbed the blow and kept the positive trend while economies around the world crumbled. Taking advantage of these circumstances, a portion of Brazilian emigrants decided it was time to go back to their home country and try to get some business going over there. Some succeeded, while others returned to the USA.

Reasons why Brazilians moved to the US in the first place

Brazilian economy today is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. However, it hasn’t always been like that. Back in the 1980’s Brazil was struck by a series of economic crisis that motivated locals to look elsewhere in order to accomplish their dreams. It was then when Brazilian immigration into the USA started. It took a swing and boomed in the 1990’s. Since the year of 2000 and the Financial crisis that struck in the first decade of the 21st century, the flow into the USA decreased. Furthermore, a significant number of immigrants went back to their homeland to try and succeed in one of the emerging economies.

Cultural differences on the everyday level

Culture is what makes one nation different from another one. If you’re moving from Brazil into the US, you need to expect the following everyday differences:

• Brazil more laid back than the USA
• People tend to be more personal in Brazil
• Brazilians are also more physical in communication
• Business practice is less formal in Brazil
• It can be difficult to find a job in Brazil though
• Being on your phone while at a lunch or a dinner is frowned upon in Brazil
• Health care is available free of charge to all residents in Brazil, including immigrants, while in the USA prices are sky high if you don’t have insurance

Reasons why so many Brazilians are moving back to their homeland

While economic issues spurred a boom in emigration from Brazil in the last decade, the same reasons are spurring the return of Brazilians to their homeland. Being in the top ten economies of the world, Brazil has much more to offer to its inhabitants than what it was before. Given the fact that many of Brazilian immigrants in the US are working hourly, low-skilled jobs, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they now look toward their motherland for an opportunity for a better life.

Inability to acquire personal documents plays a crucial role too

Many Brazilians who came to the USA 10 years ago are now booking one-way tickets. When they came into to country, they had a tourist visa. Once their visa ended, they decided to stay illegally. By that time, they had already acquired US documents such as ID or a driver’s license. Now, however, they are unable to renew them because of their illegal status. Plenty has decided to quit driving, fearing that one stop by the police could mean months in jail and deportation. Rather than to wait for the state to do it, they are packing their belonging, selling their properties and buying one-way tickets to the country that they came from. Some of them even have kids who were born on American soil. It will take them a while to get accustomed to the life in Brazil.

Moving from Brazil to the US – what to pay attention to

The occasions under which you’ll be moving from Brazil to the US are going to be different. If you’re an American moving back home, you should have no issues entering the country. However, if you’re Brazilian, the situation is going to be different. Here are some major aspects to think about.

Your paperwork has got to be in order

Your paperwork has got to be in order

Just like coming from any other country into the USA, your documents are going to be thoroughly checked. Before starting packing your stuff, check when your passport expires. You’ll want it to be valid for more than 6 months on the day you apply for a visa or when you enter the USA.

Also, you should check whether you need a visa to enter the USA. Furthermore, if you’re moving from Brazil to the US, you need to check what further documents you’ll need in order to stay there for good. If your paperwork isn’t in order, don’t expect to enter the country.

This could mean that you’d need to pay for new tickets to go back right where you came from. Also, it means that you may be banned from entering the country again in the future. Therefore, be wise and plan carefully!

Scan all of your documents prior to moving from Brazil to the US

Before leaving for the airport, make sure you have scanned copies of your documents and emailed to you. It is very handy to have them on you in case you lose your official documents. In addition, you might be asked to leave a copy at customs when entering the USA. Instead of handing your originals to the customs clerk to make a copy, why not give him the copy yourself? This way your papers will be with you as much time as possible and the probability of losing them will be much smaller than otherwise.

You might need to have health insurance prior to arriving when moving from Brazil to the US

In case you’re a foreigner coming into the USA, you might be asked to show a proof of health coverage at the airport. This is because in the USA health insurance depends on your employer. If you’re unemployed and don’t have a health plan, you won’t be able to see a doctor without paying out of your pocket. As you can imagine, medical services in the USA are far from affordable. This is one of the aspects in which Brazil beats America. While the level of health services is generally lower than the one in the USA, health care is free for everyone (residents and Brazilian-born citizens).

Seeing a doctor is cheaper in Brazil than in the USA

Have a dental check-up before moving from Brazil to the US

Dental costs in the USA are astronomical. Furthermore, health insurance for low-paid jobs sometimes doesn’t cover dental at all. Therefore, make sure you take your whole family to your dentist for a checkup. Whatever needs to be done, it’s going to be so much cheaper if it’s done in Brazil. If your kids wear braces, you might want to get a referral once you arrive in the US. Your new colleagues will probably know someone you can go to and maybe even get a discount.

Don’t leave any belongings in Brazil

One of the common mistakes people make is that they are unable to take all that they wish with them. In such cases, they leave some of the stuff for safekeeping to their friends or family with a plan to come back for them. However, once you arrive in the US, you’re probably not going to have time to even think about going back to Brazil, let alone going back to pick up stuff that you don’t really need. Therefore, whatever you’re not taking with you – sell it. Sell all of it! You’re going to need money once you arrive and in a globalized world that we live in today, you’ll surely be able to find something similar when you move.

Don’t leave your belongings after you move

Finances

When it comes to your current subscriptions, you should make sure all are canceled. It may be a good idea to do it a couple of months in advance, just to make sure all of them have been canceled. If they aren’t, you’ll receive one more bill and pay it while still in the country. Surely, you wouldn’t want your card charged for something you won’t be able to use.

Furthermore, credit cards are crucial to life in America. The way you get to use them is by building your credit history. You do this by taking loans. Firstly, small ones. As the time goes by and you pay off your loans, your credit limit extends. Therefore, make sure you ask your bank in Brazil to issue credit references in which they’ll show your credit history from Brazil. While this can be useful in obtaining a credit card in the USA, it’s no guarantee of certainty.

Electrical Installations

Electrical outlets are different in the USA than the ones used in Brazil. This means you’ll be needing adapters in order to charge your phone, laptop or just about anything else. Buy them in Brazil. They’re cheaper over there. Plus, the last thing you need is scrambling across the unknown city looking for a thing like an electrical adapter.

Pack efficiently when moving from Brazil to the US

Since you’re moving continents, you’ll surely need professional help to successfully transport your stuff to your new home. International movers Brazil can be of assistance in this case.  Make sure to get in touch with them on time, though. They’re one of the top moving companies on the market and specialize in international moving. You will have a piece of mind if you decide to choose them to take care that your items arrive at the destination safe and sound. Still, you need to be smart about your packing when moving from Brazil to the US. The key is to try to fit smaller things into the bigger ones and save space that way.

Pack efficiently

Last week in Brazil

By this time, you should have done all above written. However, if you’re not done yet, you’ve still got enough time to do it. Take your checklist and go through it. Is there anything left that hasn’t been ticked off of the list? Time for procrastination is over. Now, it does or does not time; there is no try.

At the airport

You’ve done it all, good job! No point in stressing now in case there happens to be something you haven’t done or have forgotten to do. Now, sit tight and wait for your boarding time. Moving from Brazil to the US is going to take a lot of time and probably a lot of nerves. However, once you’re on the plain it’s all over. You’ll find a way to take care of it when you arrive. Still, in order for this not to happen, international moving companies Brazil are there to help you.

You shouldn’t be worried when you arrive at the airport