How does it work?

If you are Brazilian and invest in American companies, you already know that, unlike what happens in Brazil, dividends are taxed in the United States. This is one of the peculiarities of the American tax system, which, even so, is still attractive for those who wish to dollarize their assets or move permanently to the USA. 

The percentage or the tax exemption for dividends in the US depends on the type of dividend to be received: so-called qualified dividends receive lower taxation at source. And for a dividend to be classified as qualified, it must be an ordinary dividend paid by a US or foreign company operating in the US, and the recipient must have held those shares in portfolio for at least 60 days prior to the ex-dividend date. 

If a dividend does not meet the criteria to be classified as qualified, it is an ordinary dividend, and is taxed by the IRS like other sources of income, such as salary and bonus income.  

It is worth remembering that dividend taxation exists in both the US and Europe, and it is not this kind of obstacle that should make you give up on an immigration to America. 

In addition, large American companies, such as Coca Cola and ExxonMobil, historically pay good dividends. The American stock market is also more stable than the Brazilian one due to several factors, such as the greater political and economic stability of American society.

Investing in the United States

Anyone of any nationality can open a business in the US, as long as they follow the rules of the IRS and the US government. If your intention is to invest in the United States to acquire the right to live there permanently, the EB-5 visa may be right for you.

What is an EB-5 visa?

An EB-5 visa is the visa category that allows the holder and his or her spouse and children under 21 years of age permanent residence in the United States through an investment and job creation on U.S. territory.

How to be eligible for an EB-5 visa? 

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires investors and their respective spouses and children under the age of 21 to meet the following criteria for eligibility: make the required investment in a business in U.S. territory (at least $800,000); and plan to create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

The EB-5 visa was created by the US Congress in 1990 with the purpose of encouraging the growth of the US economy and the creation of jobs in the United States via foreign investors.

I want to open a company in the USA. Do I need an EB-5 visa?

Not necessarily! The EB-5 visa is an excellent way to get a green card for you and your family if you meet all the eligibility requirements. 

But the EB-5 visa is not the only visa category that a foreigner can obtain to reside permanently in the US or to obtain a green card.

The EB-2 visa, for example, requires the applicant to have a recognized degree, at least five years of work experience, and exceptional skills in their professional field. Most skilled professionals immigrating to the United States fall into the EB-2 category, due to the level of demand required for this visa.

Which visa is best for me?

It depends: each case is unique! The immigration office exists exactly to find out if you are eligible and to help you write the document that will be read by US immigration to support your visa application, if you are eligible.

We also do your tax planning in case you get your Green Card and transfer your residence and assets to the United States.

How do I know if I am eligible?

Want to know if you are eligible for a green card? Fill out our free form and we will contact you as soon as possible.