GP Pleas for Green Cards

[Xclay]

I connect enough with some GPs that, sooner or later (after I decline putting them on retainer), they tell me they hope I can somehow help them move to the USA. Today I just received another such plea on WhatsApp. Below is what I reply these days, and I'm sharing this in case you might find it useful: 

Since January 2026, the United States has completely stopped issuing permanent visas (green cards) to Brazilians at U.S. consulates in Brazil. 
Desde janeiro de 2026, os Estados Unidos pararam completamente de emitir vistos permanentes (green cards) para brasileiros nos consulados americanos no Brasil. 

But if more detail is needed, even without the current pause:

What about the future?
Even if green cards become available again, the standard rules remain very difficult for most Brazilians.

An American friend cannot sponsor you simply because they are your friend. Friendship is not enough. The U.S. government only allows certain people to bring someone over to live permanently in the U.S.:

• A spouse who is a U.S. citizen (or sometimes a permanent resident)
• A parent or child who is a U.S. citizen (in specific situations)
• A U.S. company that wants to hire you and is willing to undertake a long, expensive legal process to sponsor you

So, if someone tells you, "My American friend is going to help me move to the U.S.," that friend almost certainly cannot do so—unless you are married to them or share another close family relationship recognized by law.

For a single young person with no American family and no special job offer, obtaining a green card will likely remain extremely difficult, even if the process opens up again.

E no futuro?  
Mesmo que os green cards voltem a ser possíveis, as regras normais continuam muito difíceis para a maioria dos brasileiros.

Um amigo americano não pode te patrocinar só porque ele é seu amigo. Amizade não é suficiente. O governo dos Estados Unidos só permite que certas pessoas tragam alguém para morar permanentemente nos EUA:

• Seu marido ou sua esposa que seja americano (ou às vezes residente permanente)  
• Seu pai, mãe ou filho que seja americano (em situações específicas)  
• Uma empresa nos Estados Unidos que queira te contratar e esteja disposta a fazer um processo legal longo e caro para te patrocinar

Então, se alguém te disser “meu amigo americano vai me ajudar a me mudar para os EUA”, esse amigo quase certamente não consegue fazer isso, a não ser que você seja casado(a) com ele ou com ela, ou tenha outro parentesco próximo que a lei reconheça.

Para um jovem solteiro sem família americana e sem uma oferta de emprego especial, conseguir um green card provavelmente vai continuar sendo extremamente difícil, mesmo se o processo abrir de novo.  
 

[Xclay]

What about Canada?  AI tells me:

For a young single man with no college degree and no special skilled trade or job offer already arranged:

• Direct permanent residence from Brazil → Very low chance.
• Chance improves if he develops strong English (or French), gains experience in a skilled trade Canada needs, or invests in studying in Canada first. 
• Overall, Canada is more open to economic immigration than the United States is right now for Brazilians, but it is still selective. Most people with his profile do not succeed in gaining permanent residence in Canada.

[12is12]

PS

Notwithstanding brazil specifically, now is NOT the time - either to seek permission to live in the USA or to move there.