Investor visa for foreigners in Brazil

The Investor visa for foreigners in Brazil is a reality for those who decide to invest capital in the country. Therefore, with the certainty of the investment, the foreign investor visa in Brazil becomes an interesting possibility for foreigners who recognize a good business opportunity in the country and bring solutions to heat up the Brazilian economy.

In this way, the investment visa in Brazil brings benefits to foreigners who opt for the Brazil investor visa and could be a fascinating option for you!

Find out more about the visa now.

If you need help with your investor visa, consult our specialized legal team by clicking here.

What is an investor visa?

An Investor visa for foreigners in Brazil is when a foreigner proves that they have invested foreign capital in the country. This investment can be in a company or real estate.

Once the investment has been made, the foreigner can also receive a residence permit in Brazil. In some cases, this permit can also be made permanent on the first application. In others, the foreigner will need to apply for temporary residence and then renew it.

How does the investor visa work?

The investor visa works when a foreigner decides to bring foreign capital to Brazil, creating jobs and boosting the economy.

In other words, the main goal of the investment is to bring economic benefits to the country. As such, it is necessary to fit in with certain characteristics according to the type of investment and the visa chosen.

For example, if the investment is in real estate, it needs to be worth:

• R$700,000.00 (seven hundred thousand reais) if it is located in the North or Northeast of Brazil;
• or R$1,000,000.000 (one million reais) if it is located in other regions of Brazil.

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How do I obtain an investor visa in Brazil?

To obtain an investor visa in Brazil, you need to have an investment amount within the limits set by the Brazilian government and, in the case of business investment, a business plan with an expected impact for the amount invested.

In summary, it looks like this:

• Real estate investment: if you are still abroad, demonstrate the ability to buy property worth R$700,000.00 (seven hundred thousand reais) in the North or Northeast of Brazil, or R$1,000,000.00 (one million reais) in other regions;
• Business investment: if you are abroad, apply online, presenting the documents requested according to the type of investment. If you are in Brazil, apply for a residence permit at the Ministry of Labor, with the justification for investing.

In the case of business investment, prior authorization from the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) in Brazil is important. Before the MTE’s authorization is issued, the investor will not be able to count on the rights guaranteed.

In addition, the documents and investment amounts for this visa change depending on the situation.

How much does an investor visa cost?

The consular fee for an investor visa is:

• $290.00 for those from the United States;
• R$215.00 for those from the United Kingdom;
• R$100.00 for other countries.

It’s also necessary to pay in all the capital in the country in order to obtain the investor visa. This amount will be at least R$500,000.00 (five hundred thousand reais) or R$150,000.00 (one hundred and fifty thousand reais) for entrepreneurs investing in innovation projects.

However, it’s critical to remember that there are business plan rules that need to be completed as well.

How do I get an investor visa?

In order to obtain an investor visa, you must first invest as a legal entity in Brazil or buy a property within the criteria established by the Brazilian government. In addition, everything must be submitted to the Ministry of Labor.

The main documents for investing in a company are:

• Investment plan;
• Articles of incorporation of the company, with the due payment of the capital invested;
• Proof of foreign investment, requiring the submission of the Foreign Investment Declaratory Register;
• Exchange contract issued by the bank receiving the investment.

How can foreign investors operate in Brazil?

In principle, foreign investors wishing to operate in Brazil must pay attention to the qualification of the venture receiving the investment, which must comply with at least one of the following rules:

• Have received investment, funding, or resources aimed at supporting innovation from a government institution;
• Be located in a technology park;
• Have been incubated or graduated;
• Have been a finalist in a government program to support startups; or
• Or have benefited from a startup accelerator in Brazil.

Therefore, the granting of a permanent visa does not depend exclusively on the investment, but must be related to the rules and the purpose of the investment for the country’s growth.

How can a foreigner get a permanent visa in Brazil?

A foreigner can have a permanent visa in Brazil if they are in the country after investing in a legal entity in Brazil or buying property. In some cases, once they have obtained an investor’s visa, they will already qualify for a permanent residence permit.

However, in other cases, you will first need to obtain a temporary permit. This can be granted by the Brazilian government for up to 2 years and, after the initial period has expired, renewed or transformed into a permanent permit.

In addition, in order to actually obtain a permanent visa, it is necessary to submit:

• An application making reference to the process that gave rise to the previous residence permit;
• National Migration Registration Card (CRNM);
• Income tax return for the company’s last fiscal year and the respective receipt;
• Annual Social Information Report (RAIS) for the last three years, showing
• Compliance with the job creation forecast in the Investment Plan; and
• A copy of the most recent FGTS (Severance Indemnity Fund) payment slip, together with a list of employees.

How do I get a permanent investor visa as an individual?

In order to obtain a permanent investor visa as an individual, you need to invest foreign capital in a legal entity in Brazil, with the presentation of an Investment or Business Plan. Or buy a property within the characteristics established by the Brazilian government.

Then you just have to follow the steps we’ve explained.

What types of investments can be made to obtain an investor visa for foreigners in Brazil?

The types of investments that can be made to obtain the visa must be made in real estate, companies, or innovation projects (which will also be companies, but with specific rules).

See below for more details.

What are the real estate values for obtaining a real estate investor visa?

The real estate values for obtaining a real estate investor visa are based exclusively on the properties that the foreigner has in Brazil, whether they are already built or under construction. The values must be:

• In the North or Northeast of Brazil, with a value equal to or greater than R$ 700,000.00 (seven hundred thousand reais);
• or in the other Brazilian regions, with a value equal to or greater than R$ 1,000,000.00 (one million reais).

In addition, the property must be in an urban area under construction or already built.

For built properties, you need to have:

• General Property Registry, attesting to the investor’s ownership of the property, free of liens or encumbrances; and
• A statement from an authorized credit institution, registered in Brazil with the Central Bank of Brazil, attesting to the international transfer of capital for the acquisition of the property in the defined amount;
• Among others.

For properties under construction:

• Promissory contract for the purchase and sale of the property, duly registered;
• Statement from a credit institution authorized or registered in Brazil with the Central Bank of Brazil, attesting to the international transfer of capital for the acquisition of the property or for the payment, as a down payment in the Promissory Purchase and Sale Agreement, of a defined amount;
• Building permits issued in accordance with Brazilian law; and
• Duly registered Memorial de Incorporação;
  Among others.

What are the investment amounts for a new company to obtain an investor visa?

The investment amount for a new (or already established) company to obtain an investor visa can be at least R$500,000.00 (five hundred thousand reais).

However, for foreigners who want to settle in Brazil with the intention of investing in innovation, basic or applied research, of a scientific or technological nature, the amount must be between R$150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand reais) and R$500,000 (five hundred thousand reais).

How much can you invest as a representative of a foreign company to obtain an investor visa?

The investment amounts as a representative of a foreign company depend on the area in which the company wishes to invest in Brazil. The investment amount is R$150,000 and R$500,000 in the following cases:

• Innovation;
• Basic or applied research;
• Scientific investment;
• Technological investment.

However, if it’s another type, the amount is at least R$500,000.00.

Does an investor visa for foreigners in Brazil entitle you to residence?

In short, yes, the investor visa entitles you to residence in Brazil. However, whether this is permanent or temporary depends on the type of investment the investor is making.

In addition, it is also possible for the investor to regularize the residence of their legal dependents, such as a foreign spouse or children, without having to make a new investment to do so.

What are the steps to obtain permanent residence as a real estate investor?

The steps for a foreigner to obtain permanent residence as a real estate investor are:

• Have a property in an urban area within the values established by the Brazilian government;
• If abroad, apply for a visa by presenting the documentation;
• Travel to Brazil;
• Apply for a temporary residence permit;
• Wait for the temporary residence permit to expire (up to 2 years);
• 90 days before the expiry date, apply for a permanent residence permit.

What are the steps to obtain permanent residence as a business investor?

The steps for foreigners to obtain permanent residence as a business investor are as follows:

• If you are abroad, apply for a visa according to the type and value of the investment you wish to make. They must also present the required documentation;
• Traveling to Brazil;
• Apply for a temporary residence permit for investments in innovation and research, or a permanent permit for other investments;
• If you have been granted a temporary permit, wait until you have completed the period of temporary residence (which will be up to 2 years);
• 90 days before the expiry date, apply for a permanent residence permit.

To apply for an Investor visa for foreigners in Brazil, you must send to the Ministry of Labor:

• Investment plan;
• The company’s articles of association or constitutive act, with due payment of the capital invested;
• Proof of foreign investment, requiring the submission of the Foreign Investment Declaratory Register;
• Exchange contract issued by the bank receiving the investment;
• Among other documents required to establish residence.