From Brazil to your US nursing career
Brazilian-trained nurses have several US visa options — EB-3 + Schedule A, H-1B, F-1 → OPT → EB-3, and EB-2 NIW.
Available US visa pathways
The six US work visa pathways most relevant to internationally-trained nurses. Status reflects eligibility for nationals of Brazil, not certainty of approval.
| Pathway | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
EB-3 + Schedule A Permanent (green card) | Available | ~2yr wait (Rest of World). |
TN (USMCA) Temporary, renewable | Not applicable | Country is not party to USMCA. |
H-1B1 (FTA) Temporary, Chile/Singapore only | Not applicable | Reserved for Chilean and Singaporean nationals only. |
H-1B Temporary, lottery-capped (cap-exempt employers exist) | Conditional | Requires BSN + specialty role; lottery-capped, but cap-exempt employers (universities, teaching hospitals, nonprofits) are not subject to the lottery. |
EB-2 NIW Permanent (green card), self-petition | Conditional | — |
F-1 → OPT → EB-3 Student → permanent path | Available | — |
Source: USCIS, DOL Schedule A, USMCA Annex 16-A. Last updated April 2026.
EB-3 priority date queue (May 2026)
If you file for an employment-based green card, the wait depends on your country of chargeability. Where each category stands today:
- Rest of World(yours)~2 years
- Mexico~2 years
- Philippines~3 years
- China~5 years
- India12+ years
Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for May 2026 (travel.state.gov). Refreshed monthly.
The Brazil nurse diaspora in the US
The Brazilian-American community exceeds 400,000, concentrated in Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, and California. Brazilian nurses face English-language testing requirements since Portuguese is the medium of instruction. COREN-registered nurses transfer credentials through CGFNS. The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and regional Brazilian professional networks provide support.
Sources: CGFNS 2023 Nurse Migration Report, HRSA NSSRN, NCSBN National Nursing Workforce Study, Migration Policy Institute.
NCLEX-RN testing centers in Brazil
Brazil has an NCLEX testing center operated by Pearson VUE:
- São Paulo
Source: Pearson VUE / NCSBN international NCLEX testing center list. Locations may change quarterly — verify on nclex.com before scheduling.
What you'll need to clear in Brazil
Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (COFEN) and state COREN councils handle credential verification.