Brazil Invests US$ 22 Billion in the USA: Sectors, States, and Visas

The stock of direct investments by Brazilian companies in the United States reached US$ 22.1 billion in 2024, according to a survey released by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) in July 2025. This represents a 52.3% increase over a decade, compared to the US$ 14.5 billion recorded in 2014. More than 70 Brazilian companies maintain productive operations on American soil, spread across 23 of the 50 states, with more than US$ 3.3 billion invested in new projects announced between 2020 and 2024.

These numbers represent more than just financial flows. Every industrial plant, distribution center, and office opened in the US requires legal structure, transferred workers, and, in many cases, work and investment visas. Understanding where and how this Brazilian capital is distributed is essential for those planning to internationalize their business or seek opportunities in Brazilian operations in the United States.

Leading Sectors

The sectoral concentration of Brazilian investments reveals clear priorities. The food and beverage segment accounts for 22.8% of the total stock, driven by large-scale operations such as JBS, which announced US$ 807 million in new projects between 2020 and 2024, and Bauducco Foods, with US$ 200 million. The sector reflects the strength of Brazilian agribusiness adapted to the American consumer market.

Next are plastics (12.4%), consumer products (9.8%), software and IT services (9.6%), and metals (9.3%). The significant presence of information technology signals that Brazilian internationalization is not limited to commodities. Software and digital services companies have been using the US as a base to scale global operations, transferring executives and engineers through corporate visas.

Other highlights include Omega Energia, with US$ 420 million in renewable energy projects, Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (US$ 350 million in the metals sector), and Embraer (US$ 192 million), consolidating the Brazilian presence in the American aerospace and steel sectors.

Where the Companies Are

The geographic distribution follows a logic of proximity to consumer markets, logistical infrastructure, and state incentives. Florida leads with 12 Brazilian companies in productive operation, favored by cultural proximity, an already established Brazilian community, and a business-friendly environment for international companies.

Georgia ranks second with 7 companies, followed by Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and New York, each with 6 operations. Tennessee and Texas complete the main group, with 5 companies each. Together, these eight states concentrate the majority of Brazilian productive activity in the country.

The spread across 23 states indicates maturity in internationalization strategy. It is not about opportunistic concentration in a single hub, but rather decisions based on supply chain, access to qualified labor, and proximity to American industrial clients.

Visas for Investors

The expansion of Brazilian companies in the US creates concrete demand for specific visa categories. The most commonly used by companies transferring executives and managers to American subsidiaries is the L-1 visa, which allows intracompany transfer of employees with at least one year of service at the headquarters. Petition fees (Form I-129) total approximately US$ 2,485, with a premium processing option for US$ 2,965 starting March 2026.

The L-1A applies to managers and executives, with an initial stay of up to three years, extendable to seven. The L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge, with a five-year limit. Both categories allow the spouse to apply for work authorization in the United States.

For individual investors seeking permanent residency, the EB-5 green card requires a minimum investment of US$ 800,000 in targeted employment areas (TEA) or US$ 1,050,000 in regular areas, with the creation of at least 10 direct jobs. These amounts are scheduled for inflation adjustment in January 2027.

An important distinction: Brazil is not a signatory to a treaty granting access to the E-2 investor visa. Brazilians with dual citizenship from a country with an active treaty, such as Italy, Portugal, Spain, or Japan, can use the E-2 through that route. For those without dual citizenship, the most direct routes remain the L-1 (via company) and the EB-5 (via personal investment with green card).

Opportunities for Professionals

The growth of Brazilian operations in the US creates opportunities that go beyond investors and top executives. Industrial plants need engineers, technicians, operations managers, and specialists in American regulatory compliance. Technology offices require developers, data scientists, and product managers familiar with the Brazilian and Latin American markets.

For Brazilian professionals, this means there are employers in the US with Brazilian operations and corporate culture, which can facilitate both work visa sponsorship and adaptation to the American professional environment. Companies with a presence in both countries also offer the possibility of starting a career in the Brazilian operation and later being transferred to the US via the L-1, a well-established route in multinationals of all sizes.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the US$ 22.1 billion stock is still modest compared to global foreign direct investment flows, indicating significant room for growth. Sectoral and geographic diversification will be key to the resilience of these operations in the face of regulatory changes, trade policies, and currency fluctuations.

The American policy of attracting foreign productive investments, combined with the growing sophistication of Brazilian companies in international markets, suggests that the internationalization movement should intensify. For those planning to participate in this expansion, understanding the available migration routes is as strategic as mastering the business plan.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.