What the investor route is
Brazil grants a residence permit to a foreign individual who invests their own funds, remitted from abroad through the official exchange market, in a new or existing Brazilian company, and who presents an investment plan demonstrating the viability of the business and, where applicable, the creation of jobs. The permit is granted by the immigration authority under regulations issued by the National Immigration Council.
Thresholds
The general threshold is currently BRL 500,000 invested in the Brazilian company. A reduced route, from BRL 150,000, exists for certain qualifying innovation, scientific or technology projects that satisfy additional criteria under the immigration regulations (CNIg Normative Resolution 13/2017, as amended), such as being based in a technology park, incubator or accelerator, or participating in specific government programmes. Eligibility is assessed by the competent authorities and is not automatic. The thresholds are set by regulation and are periodically revised, so they should be confirmed at the time of application.
Conditions that matter in practice
- Source of funds: the investment must be the investor's own funds, remitted from abroad and converted through an exchange contract closed by a Brazilian bank.
- Vehicle: the funds must be subscribed as capital of a Brazilian company in which the investor holds equity. A company formed for the purpose, or acquired ready-made, both qualify.
- Central Bank registration: the investment must be registered as foreign direct investment. The registration certificate is part of the application file.
- Investment plan: a business plan setting out the activity, the application of the capital over time and the expected employment. Commitments made here are reviewed at renewal.
- Clean record: criminal background certificates from the country of residence, apostilled and translated.
Timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Structuring and eligibility | 1–2 weeks |
| Company formation or acquisition, bank account | 3–8 weeks |
| Remittance and Central Bank registration | 1–2 weeks after account activation |
| Application and decision | 1–3 months |
| Entry, Federal Police registration, national ID | 2–4 weeks after arrival |
Family
Spouses or partners, children and other dependants obtain residence by family reunion. Their applications can be filed together with the investor's or afterwards.
Renewal and permanent residence
The initial permit is granted for a defined period during which the investor must show that the investment was applied as planned. Renewal leads to residence of indefinite duration. Long absences from Brazil and material changes to the business must be managed carefully, as they can affect the permit.
Tax residency
Residing in Brazil under the permit makes the investor a Brazilian tax resident, with worldwide income subject to Brazilian tax and reporting. This is not a reason to avoid the route, but it is a reason to plan the transition, including treaty positions and exit from the current jurisdiction, before the permit is granted.
Where investor visa projects go wrong
- Using one provider for the company and another for the visa, producing inconsistent documents.
- Remitting funds before the Central Bank registration of the investor is in place.
- Investment plans written for the application rather than for the business, which then fail at renewal.
- Ignoring tax residency until after arrival.
Brazil Company Setup runs the corporate, banking, exchange-control and immigration steps as one project. See the investor visa service page.