Immigrating to the United States is a dream of many Brazilians who seek new professional opportunities and a country with excellent quality of life and consumption.

In 2022 alone, the number of Brazilians who received the much-dreamed-of Green Card increased by 28%! More than 23 thousand Brazilians are part of this statistic, which is the largest flow ever recorded by the American government. 

And with the shortage of skilled labor in the United States and the deteriorating economic environment in Brazil, more and more Brazilian professionals are looking to secure a good salary in dollars.

If you work as a psychologist in Brazil, you should know that not only psychology, but many other health care professions are well paid in America.

Practicing Clinical Psychology in the USA

There are some differences between the American and Brazilian education systems. The so-called American undergraduate degrees are the closest equivalent to Brazilian undergraduate degrees ; and graduate degrees are the American post-graduate courses, equivalent to master's and doctorate degrees in Brazil.

To work in the clinical field a psychologist in the United States needs to have a degree in clinical psychology. The extensive qualifications required to be a clinical psychologist in the United States mean that this profession has, on average, annual salaries above one hundred thousand dollars.

How to validate your clinical psychology degree in the USA

The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest psychology association in the United States, but it does not regulate licenses for clinical practice in the country.

In order for you to practice as a psychologist in the United States you need to contact the Psychology Board of the state you wish to reside (and work) in. Each board has different requirements for obtaining a psychology license. But in general, you will need to provide evidence of obtaining your doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

In Florida - a state highly targeted by Brazilian immigrants - the Board of Psychology requires proof of a doctoral degree from an APA accredited institution or the equivalent from an overseas educational institution; and proof of the applicant's pre-doctoral studies.

Finally, if you meet the requirements to work as a clinical psychologist in the United States, you must have a green card, which is the authorization to reside permanently in the country.

Beyond the office 

The psychology market in the United States also offers career opportunities in academic research, consulting, public policy, and the corporate world. 

Psychologists can also work in hospitals, schools, universities, businesses and non-profit organizations. So there are professional opportunities that need your expertise as a psychologist in areas that go beyond clinical practice.

States and Cities with the best annual salaries

The average annual salary for a clinical psychologist in the United States is $111,905, and can reach over $198,000 in places like Sacramento (California).

Check out some locations with great annual salaries:

• New York (NY): US $114,456.
• San Diego (California): US $109,631.
• Salem (Oregon): US $110,972. 
• Seattle (Washington): US $106,335.
• Naperville (Illinois): US $178,084.

Psychology can be your passport to the USA!

If you want to live permanently in the USA, or are looking for better perspectives for your career, having a green card is an excellent choice to enhance your professional trajectory. 

The Green Card gives you the facility to be able to work professionally in the United States (after validation of your professional license) and earn in dollars, even if you work eventually in the USA and continue living in Brazil. Furthermore, a Green Card is an open door for you to move permanently to a safer, more stable and prosperous life in the United States.

EB-2 is the best way

If you are a psychologist with more than five years experience you are likely to be eligible to apply for the EB-2 visa, which gives you the right to live and work in the US permanently. 

To do this, you need to prove that you have a diploma in your field, experience, recognition in the field, or exceptional skills in your professional practice.

Medicine is not the only health profession valued in the United States: psychologists, physical therapists, nurses, and dentists have stable careers in the American market, given the high demand for health services in a market that is mostly private.

The American dream may be much closer than you think!

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