Invest in your Brazilian company. Obtain residence for you and your family.
Brazil grants residence permits to foreign individuals who invest a qualifying amount in a Brazilian company. We plan the corporate structure, the capital remittance and the immigration application as one project.
How the investor route works
The residence permit for investors is granted by the Brazilian immigration authority to a foreign individual who invests their own funds in a new or existing Brazilian company, through the official exchange market, and presents a viable investment plan.
The permit is initially granted for a defined period, during which the investor must demonstrate that the investment was applied as planned and, where applicable, that jobs were created. It then leads to renewal and to permanent residence. Spouses and dependants receive residence by family reunion.
Because the investment must be made into a company and registered with the Central Bank, the corporate work and the immigration work are inseparable. Clients who separate them, using one provider for the company and another for the visa, routinely lose months to inconsistent documents.
Key requirements at a glance
| Minimum investment | BRL 500,000 in a Brazilian company (reduced route from BRL 150,000 for certain qualifying innovation, scientific or technology projects, subject to the specific criteria of the immigration regulations and to the analysis of the competent authorities) |
|---|---|
| Source of funds | The investor's own funds, remitted from abroad through the official exchange market |
| Vehicle | New or existing Brazilian company in which the investor holds equity |
| Investment plan | Business plan with expected activity, timeline and job creation, filed with the application |
| Central Bank | Investment registered as foreign direct investment (SCE-IED) |
| Dependants | Spouse or partner, children and other dependants by family reunion |
Thresholds and conditions are set by regulation and are periodically updated. We confirm the current requirements at the structuring stage.
From decision to residence in five stages
Typical duration is three to six months, depending on how quickly the investment is remitted and on the immigration authority's processing times.
Eligibility & plan
We assess your profile, confirm the applicable threshold and structure the investment and the company to satisfy both corporate and immigration rules.
Week 1–2Company & account
Incorporation or acquisition of the vehicle, bank account opening and preparation of the exchange operation.
Week 2–8Remittance & registration
Capital is remitted, the exchange contract is closed and the investment is registered with the Central Bank.
Week 6–10Application
Investment plan, corporate records and personal documents are filed with the immigration authority; we respond to any requests for information.
Week 8–12Residence
Permit granted; entry into Brazil, Federal Police registration and national ID for foreigners. Dependants' permits follow.
Month 3–6What our immigration desk handles
Investment plan
Drafted with you in the format the authority expects: activity, capital application schedule, employment projections and supporting evidence.
Capital compliance
Exchange contract, Central Bank registration and the certificates that prove the investment was made lawfully and in full.
Application & follow-up
Filing, monitoring, responses to requests for information and coordination with the consulate for entry where needed.
Family
Residence for spouse or partner, children and other dependants by family reunion, filed together with or after the main application.
Registration in Brazil
Federal Police appointment, biometrics, national migration registry card and enrolment with the tax authority as a resident.
Tax residency planning
Becoming a Brazilian tax resident has worldwide-income implications. Our tax team plans the transition, including treaty positions and exit from your current jurisdiction.
Investor visa FAQ
Can I invest in an existing company instead of forming a new one?
Yes. The investment can be made by subscribing new shares in an existing Brazilian company, including a company you acquire from us. The funds must still be remitted from abroad and registered with the Central Bank.
Does the investment have to be in cash?
The standard route is a cash investment through the exchange market. Other forms of contribution are assessed case by case and generally add complexity and time.
Do I have to live in Brazil full time?
Residence permits carry minimum-presence expectations at renewal, and long absences can affect the permit. We advise on the specific rules that apply to your permit and on how they interact with tax residency.
Can my company sponsor employees or directors instead?
Yes. Separate routes exist for executives and skilled employees of a Brazilian company, including statutory administrators of a foreign-owned subsidiary. We recommend the route that matches your role and timeline.
What happens to the permit if the business fails?
The permit is linked to the investment being maintained and applied as planned. Material changes must be reported, and the investor may need to reinvest or change status. This is one reason to structure the investment carefully from the start.
Find out whether the investor route fits your plans
A confidential call with our immigration and corporate team. Written assessment within one business day.