O-1 Visa for Brazilian citizens: Data and Posts
Brazilian nationals received 1,216 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 4. Counts by post in Brazil, validity and embassy addresses from State Department sources.
Page reviewed October 30, 2026.
What it is
Brazilian nationals received 1,216 O-1 visas in fiscal year 2025, which ranks 4 among nationalities and is 6.1% of the 20,015 issued worldwide.
Sao Paulo issued the most of any post in Brazil. The O-1 is a USCIS petition filed by a U.S. sponsor; the embassy interview comes after approval. These figures are our sums of State Department monthly tables, count visas issued abroad, and leave out people who change status inside the U.S.
- O-1 visas, Brazilian nationals, FY2025
- 1,216Rank 4 of all nationalities, 6.1% of 20,015 worldwide.
- Top issuing post in the country
- Sao Paulo620 O-1 visas issued there in FY2025.
- O visa validity
- 12 monthsMultiple entries; never longer than the approved petition.
- Reciprocity fee
- NoneThe standard visa application fee still applies.
O-1 visas issued to Brazilian nationals, FY2023 to FY2025
Read these figures with their limits. They are our sums of the State Department's monthly tables of nonimmigrant visas issued by nationality, October to September. They count visas issued at consulates, so they leave out O-1 approvals for people who change status inside the U.S. The O-1 class combines O-1A and O-1B, with no split.
| Fiscal year | O-1 visas issued | Rank by nationality | Share of world O-1 | Change from prior year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2023 | 1,525 | 2 | 8.0% | Not computed |
| FY2024 | 1,671 | 2 | 8.6% | up 9.6% |
| FY2025 | 1,216 | 4 | 6.1% | down 27.2% |
Support staff on O-2 and O-3 visas
In FY2025, 316 O-2 visas (essential support staff) and 668 O-3 visas (spouses and children) were issued to Brazilian nationals. That is 0.26 O-2 visas for every O-1, against 0.77 worldwide.
Where in Brazil O-1 visas are issued
The mission lists five posts in Brazil. Addresses are as printed on the mission site. Post counts are visas issued at that post to applicants of any nationality, so they are not the same as the nationality totals above.
| Post | O-1 issued FY2023 | O-1 issued FY2024 | O-1 issued FY2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sao Paulo | 840 | 869 | 620 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 337 | 358 | 277 |
| Brasilia | 73 | 116 | 145 |
| Porto Alegre | 142 | 98 | 90 |
| Recife | 40 | 52 | 40 |
U.S. embassy and consulate addresses in Brazil
Addresses are copied from the U.S. mission's own pages on October 30, 2026. Confirm the address and entrance on your appointment confirmation before travelling.
- Consulado Geral São Paulo, Rua Henri Dunant, 500, Chácara Santo Antônio, São Paulo, SP, 04709-110
- Consulado Geral Rio de Janeiro, Av. Presidente Wilson, 147, Castelo, 20030-020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Embassy Brasília, SES, Av. das Nações, Quadra 801, Lote 03, 70403-900, Brasília, DF
- Consulate Porto Alegre, Av. Assis Brasil, 1889, Passo d'Areia, Porto Alegre
- Consulate Recife, Rua Gonçalves Maia, 163, Boa Vista, 50070-060, Recife, PE
Reciprocity and process notes for Brazilian nationals
The State Department schedule lists O-1, O-2 and O-3 for Brazilian nationals with no reciprocity fee, 12 months, multiple entries. A footnote says validity may not exceed the approved petition's validity or the months shown, whichever is less.
- In Brasília, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, applicants book at an Applicant Service Center. In Porto Alegre and Recife they book at a Document Service Center.
- The mission's overview lists O-1, O-2 and O-3 as the category for people with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, their support staff and their dependents.
- The interview waiver list on the mission page names only B1/B2 and H-2 renewals. It does not list O visas, so we assume nothing about waivers for O.
- Appointments are booked at ais.usvisa-info.com.
What we have not confirmed
- Which post handles petition-based O cases, and any O-specific document list.
- The State Department's annual FY2023 detail table lists a different Brazil O-1 figure (940) from the sum of the monthly tables (1,525). We use the monthly sums throughout and have not reconciled the two.
- Appointment wait times, which change often and which we do not publish.
- USCIS approval counts for this nationality. We found no primary figure we could cite.
How this compares with other countries
- United Kingdom: 3,023 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 1.
- China: 1,771 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 2.
- India: 1,632 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 3.
- France: 918 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 5.
- Mexico: 884 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 6.
- Germany: 814 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 7.
- Italy: 745 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 8.
- Australia: 712 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 9.
- South Korea: 558 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 10.
- Spain: 540 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 11.
- Japan: 442 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 12.
- O-1 visa for British citizens
- O-1 visa for Chinese citizens
- O-1 visa for Indian citizens
- O-1 visa for French citizens
- O-1 visa for Mexican citizens
- O-1 visa for German citizens
- O-1 visa for Italian citizens
- O-1 visa for Australian citizens
- O-1 visa for South Korean citizens
- O-1 visa for Spanish citizens
- O-1 visa for Japanese citizens
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Common questions
How many O-1 visas are issued to Brazilian citizens?
1,525 in FY2023, 1,671 in FY2024 and 1,216 in FY2025, by our sums of State Department monthly tables. These count visas issued abroad and exclude change of status inside the U.S.
Which U.S. post in Brazil issues the most O-1 visas?
Sao Paulo, with 620 in FY2025. Post counts include applicants of every nationality.
How long is the O-1 visa valid for Brazilian citizens?
The State Department lists 12 months, multiple entries with no reciprocity fee, but never longer than the approved petition. The standard visa application fee still applies.
Do I apply for the O-1 at the embassy first?
No. A U.S. sponsor files Form I-129 with USCIS first. The embassy interview comes after the petition is approved.
Is Lando a law firm?
No. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. For advice about your own situation, speak to a licensed immigration attorney.
Sources
Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.