Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 1/7/2010

Question
Ken:
There is a strong possibility I may be moving to Sao Paulo.  My husband is being transferred there. I speak Portuguese fluently and went to High School in Sao Paulo. Two questions:
1. Will it be realistic for me to get a job? (legally or under-the table)
2. Does Sao Paulo recognize same sex partnerships.  

Answer
It will be realistic for you to get a job, with a small r, not a capital R. I dont know your background. You said you went to school in Sao Paulo, so do you have a legal residence permit? If so, then you can get a job just like an American holding a green card. You wont land here with a job tomorrow and this is  no longer the banana republic it was in the 80s or even early 90s, especially in Sao Paulo city, where competition for jobs will be like competing for jobs in NYC, even for lower wage gigs.  You could go to an English school and teach English under the table, MAYBE, but they might even ask you for a teaching background these days.

Sao Paulo does not recognize gay marriages.

Overall, moving to a foreign country when you are not legal and do not have a job lined up is VERY difficult. Hopefully you have the support system down here -- friends, family, or a at least six months of salary you can burn through in case youre unemployed. Will your husband be working? I assume so, otherwise, why move down? In that case, if he is making enough money, you can fill your time withother things for now.