No. The B1/B2 visa is a visitor visa, and it does not give you the right to live, work, or study in the United States. That doesn't mean the door is closed forever, but you need to understand what it allows before you make any plans.
What the B1/B2 allows
The B1 is for short-term business: meetings, conferences, negotiating a contract, settling an inheritance. The B2 is for tourism, visiting family and friends, medical treatment, and short recreational courses that don't count for degree credit. In every case the idea is the same: you come, do what you came to do, and go back to Brazil.
What it does not allow
The Department of State is direct: if you have a B1/B2, you cannot work, you cannot study in a regular program, and you cannot live in the US permanently. Getting paid for a service done here, even if it's "just a side gig," is work. Going to a job interview and getting to know the city is one thing. Starting to work is something else entirely.
Working remotely for a Brazilian company while you are in the US is a gray area and depends on the case. If that's your plan, it's worth talking to an immigration attorney first.
How long can I stay
The time limit is not in the visa. The CBP officer (border inspection) decides when you enter, and they record your deadline on your I-94, which is the electronic arrival record. That date is the one that counts, even if your visa is valid for ten years. For the B2, the stay is usually up to six months, but it can be shorter.
If you need more time, the extension request must be filed with USCIS, on Form I-539, before your I-94 expires. Staying past that date puts you out of status, and U.S. law automatically voids your visa. This can make future visa applications much more complicated.
Can I change from B1/B2 to another status?
Yes, in some cases. If during your visit you receive a job offer, are accepted into a school, or marry a U.S. citizen, you can ask USCIS for a change of status, also on Form I-539, while your authorized stay is still valid. But there are three important cautions:
- Do not start working or studying before USCIS approves. Jumping ahead can make you lose your status.
- Entering as a tourist when you have already decided to stay can be interpreted as a false statement at entry. The visitor visa requires you to prove that you intend to return to Brazil.
- If you leave the US after the change, you will need a new visa in the new category, issued at a consulate.
So what is the path to living here legally?
You need a status that allows you to stay: a work visa (such as H-1B, L-1, or O-1), a student visa (F-1), an investor visa (E-2, for eligible nationalities), or a green card, which can come through employment, family, or other categories. Each one has its own requirements, and the right choice depends on your profile. In the next articles in this series, I'll talk about some of these paths.
The practical conclusion is simple: use the B1/B2 for what it was made for, which is visiting and doing short business. People who treat the tourist visa as a one-way ticket to move here often end up in an irregular situation, and that closes doors instead of opening them.
News for anyone planning to travel: since 2025, the Department of State requires a bond (visa bond) from B-1/B-2 applicants from certain countries. The amount is $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000, set by the consular officer at the interview. On the official list, updated on October 2, 2026, Brazil does not appear. Since the list changes, confirm on the Department of State website before applying for the visa.