You can teach English, as everybody else does when you don't have residency.
Your GF can help round up the fish for you being that she works in the school system.

I found a non-English teaching job, but before that I spent at least a year not working regularly and just trying to settle in and find a good job.  I know people who have spent significantly longer. 

In each case - that seems to strain the relationship as the gringo gets angry with the situation, with themselves, with their spouse who they see as the source of them being stuck - then the spouse gets annoyed at the situation as well and it is generally a very bad time for everyone.  I've seen plenty of couples split over it.

If "finishing it" is even a consideration in your mind, then the situation will undoubtedly finish things for you.

Originally posted by nikkij12185 I found a non-English teaching job, but before that I spent at least a year not working regularly and just trying to settle in and find a good job.  I know people who have spent significantly longer.  In each case - that seems to strain the relationship as the gringo gets angry with the situation, with themselves, with their spouse who they see as the source of them being stuck - then the spouse gets annoyed at the situation as well and it is generally a very bad time for everyone.  I've seen plenty of couples split over it. If "finishing it" is even a consideration in your mind, then the situation will undoubtedly finish things for you.

Being an English teacher and frustrated sounds like a terrible reason to end a marriage.... Hpeak, brace yourself! kkkk!

hahaha...i'll keep that in mind.

Originally posted by aldino ... I can see myself living in BH (Although if I have to admit I liked Rio more, maybe cause I love beaches :p)....

Let me guess, your gf is a real Mineira and hates Rio, she would never move there ??? 

Originally posted by aldino ....I know it's illegal to work as a tourist, but realistically would it be possible to find something, anything just so I am not sitting around all day waiting for her to get back from her work?...

You could attend the Portugese for Foreigners course at UFMG (Cenex) !

Originally posted by aldino ....She is a school inspetora so i am hopeful once I am actually legal in the future, she might find something for me in the school system. ....

Don´t count on that public schools are run by the city or the state, so it´s a civil servent job, wich means jobs are obtained only by CONCURSO PÚBLICO, wich excludes foreigners, because one of the requirements in Brazilian nationality.

Unless she´s working for a private school!?!?


I won´t say it´s impossible to get something, but the problem is that you have to have at least basic Portugese knowledge and especially in Minas it´s necessary to have good connections. QI (quem indica) like they say in portugese!

Keep in mind, next year they´ll probably start registering volunteers for the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, so you mindght have good chances to get a job (maybe even paid) there !?!?!

If you have experience or even certificates in teaching English you could try language schools. Without experience it will be difficult. Schools also don´t pay very well, they just serve to get experience and making contacts. Teaching private classes is more lucrative !

Once you know the city better, you could offer yourself as a English speaking tour guide for foreigners. Unfortunatly most tourists in BH are business tourists. So they are not really interested in sightseeing, maybe shopping. There are several shopping centers and at least two outlet centers in the area.