How to Get Investor Visa in Brazil: a Complete Guide

The Brazil Investor Visa comes with many potential benefits.

1. Permanent residency. One of the main benefits is obtaining permanent residence in Brazil for the investor and their immediate family. It allows the visa holder to live and work in Brazil indefinitely.

2. Freedom to conduct business. The visa allows the holder to run their own business or invest in a Brazilian company, which may bring significant financial returns.

3. Access to Brazilian services. As a resident, the investor gets access to public services in Brazil, like healthcare and education.

4. Travel flexibility. Brazil is a member of Mercosur (Southern Common Market), a regional trade agreement. It can make travel to other member countries (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela) easier.

5. Access to a large market. Brazil has one of the largest economies in the world and is the largest economy in South America, offering a vast consumer market and a wide range of investment opportunities.

6. No requirement to reside in Brazil full-time. While the visa offers permanent resident status, it doesn’t require the investor to live in Brazil full-time.

7. Path to citizenship. After a certain period of permanent residency, typically four years, investors can apply for Brazilian citizenship. Brazil allows dual citizenship.

Brazilian passport opens visa-free access to 169 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore and South Korea

Brazil has the largest economy in South America and the 12th largest globally. It has a big agricultural sector and is the major exporter of coffee and soybeans.

Besides agriculture, Brazil also runs heavy industries like energy and mining. The tech industry is thriving in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian currency, the Brazilian Real, is stable and relatively strong — $1 can be bought for BRL 5.

Brazil is part of BRICS, an association of five of the most emerging economies among developing countries. Besides Brazil, it includes Russia, India, China and South Africa. BRICS is considered the biggest competitor for the G7 bloc.

The country faced many challenges, especially during and after the Covid‑19 pandemic, but the government is working to stimulate the economy by implementing new reforms and investing in major industries.

Investment. There are two investment options under the Brazil Golden Visa program: property purchase and business investment.

If you invest in real estate, you must own it for the whole period of the Golden Visa validity to maintain a resident status. Investing $200,000 (BRL 970,000) or more gives you a right to get Brazilian citizenship in three years rather than four.

If you invest in a business, you must:

• show proof of subsistence and de facto residence,

• and provide a business plan and get approval from the National Council of Immigration.

Brazil’s diverse economy offers various sectors like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, where foreign investment could yield significant profits.

Real estate investments require a higher minimum threshold than business investments but offer more stability and potential returns, given Brazil’s burgeoning real estate market. On the other hand, investing in businesses allows investors to contribute directly towards economic growth and job creation within Brazil.

Personal requirements. To participate in the Brazil Golden Visa program, the investor must:

• have a passport that is valid for at least six months at the time of application;

• have a criminal-free background;

• be in good health.

It is allowed to add a spouse, parents and children under 24 to the application.

Documents. The basic list of required documents includes the following:

• a copy of a passport;

• police clearance certificates;

• CV;

• a marriage certificate if applicable;

• a birth certificate if applicable;

• evidence of residential address;

• bank statement;

• two passport-size photos;

• a medical certificate;

• a letter informing the reason for moving to Brazil.

You might be required to submit additional documents.

Before investing in Brazil, you need a CPF from the Federal Revenue Agency. There are four steps:

1. Fill out the online form accurately.

2. Print the receipt.

3. Provide original documents and photos at a branch or embassy/consulate.

4. Wait ten days for processing and receive your CPF card by mail or pick it up locally.

The Federal Revenue Agency administers taxes in Brazil, including income and corporate tax. Compliance is crucial when investing under Golden Visa program guidelines.

Another requirement to invest in Brazil’s economy is to open a bank account. You can still complete this crucial step even if you’re not in Brazil. Opening a bank account in Brazil as a foreigner is easy. Many banks offer digital services and have English-speaking staff to help you.

To open an account, you’ll need:

• your CPF number;

• proof of address — from your home country or Brazil if you already have residency there;

• a valid passport.

You may also need additional documents depending on the bank’s requirements.

Popular banks for foreigners include Itaú Unibanco, Banco Bradesco SA, and Banco do Brasil. They offer extensive services and helpful customer support.

The Brazilian investor visa is not a one-time process. Ongoing compliance with the guidelines set by the Brazilian authorities is required to maintain your permanent residency status or even upgrade to Brazilian citizenship. It includes demonstrating sufficient income levels and personal wealth above certain thresholds.

The CNIg expects all foreign investors holding permanent visas to submit annual reports detailing their investment activities and supporting documents such as bank statements from their Brazilian bank account showing money remittance transactions. Submitting all the required documents helps avoid the revocation of permanent visa privileges.

Foreign investors in cities like Rio de Janeiro, known for its vibrant business environment and attractive real estate market, often find their investments yield positive returns. These returns can be leveraged during the renewal process.

For instance, if you’ve invested BRL 500,000+ ($103,000) into an existing company or established a new enterprise inside country boundaries, such proofs could help expedite your renewal application at the respective Brazilian consulate abroad.

Brazil is the biggest country in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking country on the continent. It is also the fifth largest country in the world by area and seventh by population. Brasília is the capital; however, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the most famous cities.

Sao Paulo is the most populous city in South America, with a population of about 12 million. It may lack traditional Brazilian culture but is modern and international: many expats choose to move there.

Rio de Janeiro has a population of 7 million people, but it is more laid-back than Sao Paulo. It is full of entertainments and has all the infrastructure for beach holidays.

Living in Brazil is cheaper than in the UK or the USA. Brand-new cars, gadgets or clothes can be more expensive there, but everything else, from groceries to rent, is more affordable than in Europe or Northern America.

The climate in Brazil varies. In the north of the country, the temperature rarely drops below 20°C. In the south, winters can be frosty and snowy.

As the country is located in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are the opposite of the ones in the Northern Hemisphere. For example, June, July and August are winter months.

Culture. Brazil is known for its vibrant culture, love for music and football, and outgoing people. The country hosts many events, Rio Сarnaval being one of the most popular. Throughout its history, Brazil was influenced by Africans, Europeans and indigenous people, making it a diverse and culturally rich country.

Investing in Brazil’s real estate or business can lead to a Golden Visa, an equivalent to permanent residency, and grant access to the country’s growing economy.

The required sum is at least BRL 150,000 ($ 31,000) if you invest in innovative activities to boost the local economy or the equivalent of creating ten new local jobs. You can also invest BRL 500,000+ ($103,000) in a new or existing business or BRL 700,000+ (BRL 145,000) in real estate.

The process of obtaining a Brazilian Golden Visa takes 4—6 months. You can apply for citizenship after 3—4 years of residing in Brazil and maintaining the status.