Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
6 min of reading 
0 comments 
Revealed: The Little-Known Cities in the US That Have Become Strategic Destinations for Brazilians Seeking Employment and Legal Residency
While many Brazilians still focus their attention on the large American metropolises like Miami, New York, or Boston, a new route of opportunities is emerging in lesser-known cities that offer quality of life, guaranteed jobs, and even the much-desired Green Card. With job openings for Brazilians in the US through the EB-3 visa — which guarantees permanent residency and a formal work contract — cities like Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Tucson (Arizona), Richmond (Virginia), Houston (Texas), and Pigeon Forge (Tennessee) emerge as surprising destinations.
Do you dream of living and working in the US? Next, get to know each of these cities in detail and understand why they may be your best starting point for a new life in the United States.
-
The U.S. Embassy in Rio de Janeiro opens a job vacancy for Electrician with a salary of R$ 70,032 per year; find out how to apply by April 9.
-
The Port of Santos has 120 openings for quality inspectors, and to apply, you just need to have completed high school, have basic computer skills, and go to Poupatempo to obtain the referral letter before the positions are filled.
-
Fiocruz has opened a selection process with vacancies for nurses, dentists, and psychologists, with salaries that can reach nearly R$ 8,000 including the preceptorship grant.
-
Work at Vale! The company is recruiting individuals with high school, technical, and higher education in areas such as maintenance, operations, and technology, with 400 immediate openings in 6 states, salaries of up to R$ 10,000, and 100% online applications.
Milwaukee: The City of Beer, Parks, and Great Opportunities
Located along the shores of the massive Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin, with about 600,000 residents. Although it is not a very popular destination among Brazilians, it stands out for its robust infrastructure, diverse economy, and relatively affordable cost of living. It is just a 1.5-hour drive from Chicago, which facilitates connections with larger urban centers.
The city has been nicknamed “Cream City” due to its historic buildings made from white clay bricks. Irish, Italian, Polish, and German immigrants shaped the local architecture, which evokes the old world with a North American touch.
But Milwaukee is also synonymous with modernity and leisure. It is home to the iconic Miller brewery, boasts over 140 urban parks designed by the same landscape architect as Central Park, and hosts one of the largest music festivals on the planet, Summerfest. Furthermore, the city features 300 km of bike paths, urban beaches, a zoo, and a bike-sharing system.
In terms of education, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a prominent institution for higher education. The city also hosts the legendary Harley-Davidson, which maintains a headquarters and museum open to the public.
Although crime rates are elevated in certain areas, suburban neighborhoods offer tranquility and good infrastructure. The cost of living is slightly above the national average (+2.5%), but it is still possible to find one-bedroom apartments for about US$ 1,500/month.
According to the immigration portal Boundless, the EB-3 visa is ideal for unskilled workers, with openings in sectors like fast food and food service — exactly the type of opportunity that has emerged in Milwaukee for Brazilians.
Tucson: Heat, Deserts, and High Demand for Jobs in Healthcare and Defense
From Wisconsin to the desert heat: Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant and culturally rich city with approximately 500,000 inhabitants. Located 170 km from the capital Phoenix, it offers a dry climate, blue skies for almost 350 days a year, and a range of opportunities in personal care, defense, and technology.
The city is surrounded by over 120 parks, including Saguaro National Park, a paradise for hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers. It also hosts two iconic events: the International Gem and Mineral Show, the largest in the world, and the All Souls Procession, based on Mexican and Indigenous traditions.
Tucson is home to major employers like Raytheon Missiles & Defense, which has over 12,000 employees, and the University of Arizona, which maintains one of the most renowned aerospace engineering colleges in the country. It also hosts facilities for companies such as IBM, Honeywell Aerospace, and Bombardier.
The city has stood out in providing job opportunities for Brazilians in the US, especially for roles such as caregiver. Immigrants approved under the EB-3 find affordable rentals — US$ 1,000 to US$ 1,200 per month for two-bedroom apartments — as well as great public schools and hospital infrastructure.
Richmond: American History, Quality of Life, and Proximity to Washington
With just over 220,000 residents but situated in a metropolitan area exceeding 1.3 million, Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is a hidden gem only 160 km from Washington, D.C.
Located along the banks of the James River, Richmond stands out for its balance between tradition and modernity. It was the first city in the US to successfully implement an electric streetcar system in 1888, has the renowned Edgar Allan Poe Museum, and boasts the spectacular Virginia Railway Museum and the Public Market founded in 1737.
Economically, the city is home to giants like Altria Group, CarMax (the largest car retailer in the US), and Capital One. The finance, technology, and healthcare sectors concentrate most of the opportunities.
The cost of living in Richmond is considered moderate. Rentals downtown are around US$ 1,500/month, and basic utilities (water, electricity, gas) remain below US$ 150, nearly half the cost recorded in cities like Orlando.
For those intending to work in Washington and live more peacefully, Richmond is a strategic choice, as it offers first-rate infrastructure, excellent schools, and an international airport with direct flights to Orlando and other key cities.
Houston: Texan Tradition, Outer Space, and Attractive Cost of Living
The fourth-largest city in the United States, with 2.3 million residents and about 7 million in the metropolitan area, Houston is a true cultural melting pot. More than 140 languages are spoken, creating a welcoming environment for foreigners, including Brazilians.
Known as Space City, Houston is home to the Johnson Space Center of NASA, the facility responsible for astronaut training. It also hosts the world’s largest rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which blends Texan culture with modern entertainment.
Unlike other American cities, Houston has a flexible urban zoning policy, allowing for the coexistence of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. This characteristic encourages new urbanism, aimed at making neighborhoods more interconnected.
Economically, Houston leads in energy (especially oil and gas), aerospace industry, information technology, business, and healthcare, with a highlight on the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world.
For Brazilians, job opportunities are varied, including roles like room attendant in hotels. The cost of living is considered accessible: two-bedroom apartments range from US$ 1,400 to US$ 1,800, depending on the area.
Pigeon Forge: Mountains, Tourism, and Unbeatable Cost of Living
Concluding our selection, the charming Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, represents an alternative for those wishing to experience America amid mountains, forests, and a rural climate. The city is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the second most visited national park in the US.
With just over 6,000 residents, Pigeon Forge attracts over 8 million tourists annually, especially during the most beautiful seasons: fall and spring. It is a tourist hub packed with attractions: the Ferris wheel at Island Park, themed shows like Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and the amusement park Dollywood, envisioned by the singer herself.
The main economic activity in the city is the hospitality industry, which justifies the job offers for Brazilians in the US in fields like cooking, service, and maintenance. With salaries matching the market and rentals starting at US$ 800 for three-bedroom houses, Pigeon Forge stands out for its low cost of living and high level of safety.
Additionally, it is located 30 minutes from Knoxville, an important university and commercial hub, and a few hours from Asheville, North Carolina.
EB-3 Visa Opens Employment Doors for Brazilians in Surprising US Cities
These five cities demonstrate that the American dream does not need to start in New York or Miami. There are job openings for Brazilians in the US in places with modern infrastructure, affordable cost of living, quality of life, and cultural diversity. The EB-3 visa allows you to start life with legalized work and a real prospect of staying in the US.
Want to know more about these cities or discover others with EB-3 visa opportunities? Leave your comment below, share this article with those thinking of migrating, and tell us which city you would like to know more about in the next video!
Seja o primeiro a reagir!