Brazil does not sell residence for a passive deposit. It grants residence to people who put their own money into a Brazilian business with a real plan behind it. That is why the investor route starts with the company, not with the visa.
In brief
- General minimum
- R$ 500,000
- Innovation projects
- R$ 150,000
- Legal basis
- Law 13,445/2017 and CNIg RN 13/2017
- Company ready in
- 15 to 30 days
- The investment must be the investor’s own funds, sent from abroad and registered with the Central Bank.
- A business plan shows the activity, the jobs and the economic impact the investment will create.
- The investor must later prove that the investment and the plan were actually carried out.
- Family members can usually apply for residence based on family reunion.
Who the route is for
The investor route suits entrepreneurs who want to live in Brazil while building or expanding a business here: a founder opening a technology company, a professional acquiring part of an existing business, or a family moving to run its own company. It is based on the Migration Law (Law 13,445/2017) and on National Immigration Council Normative Resolution 13/2017, as amended, most recently by Normative Resolution 49/2024.
It is different from the route for executives transferred by a foreign group, which follows its own rules, and from the real estate investment route, which has different amounts and conditions.
Company first, residence second
- Corporate routeCPF and company formation
- Corporate routeCapital sent and registered
- Corporate routeBusiness plan in motion
- Immigration routeResidence application
- Immigration routeFederal Police registration
Investment amounts
| Route | Minimum | What qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| General | R$ 500,000 | Own funds invested in a new or existing Brazilian company, supported by a business plan |
| Innovation | R$ 150,000 | Investment in innovation, basic or applied research, or technology projects that meet the specific requirements of the rules |
The amounts are in Brazilian reais, so the cost in your currency moves with the exchange rate. The funds must come from the investor, be sent through the banking system with a foreign exchange contract and be registered with the Central Bank as foreign direct investment.
Step by step
CPF and structure
The investor obtains a CPF and decides whether to open a new company, usually a limited company (LTDA), or invest in an existing one.
Company registration
The articles of association are filed at the Junta Comercial and the company receives its CNPJ. While the investor is abroad, a resident attorney represents them.
Bank account and capital
The company opens its account and the investment arrives through a foreign exchange contract. The capital is reported to the Central Bank in the SCE-IED system.
Business plan
The investment plan describes the activity, the jobs expected, the timeline and the impact on the economy. It is the core of the application.
Residence application
The application is filed with the federal immigration authority, in Brazil or through a Brazilian consulate, with corporate documents, proof of investment, the plan and the investor’s personal documents.
Registration in Brazil
Once approved, the investor registers with the Federal Police and receives the national migration registry card (CRNM).
Documents
| Group | Typical documents |
|---|---|
| Company | Registered articles of association, CNPJ card, proof of registered address |
| Investment | Foreign exchange contract, bank statement, Central Bank registration |
| Plan | Investment or business plan with jobs, timeline and financial projections |
| Investor | Passport, criminal record certificates and civil documents, apostilled and translated |
Foreign personal documents follow the same rules as corporate documents: apostille or consular legalization in the issuing country and sworn translation in Brazil. Our guide to apostille and sworn translation explains how to prepare them.
Keeping the residence
Residence by investment is not a one-time event. The authorities may check that the company exists and operates, and the investor must later prove that the investment was made and the business plan carried out. A dormant company is one of the most common reasons for problems.
- Keep the company active, with revenue, payroll and tax filings consistent with the plan.
- Keep corporate acts and Central Bank reports up to date.
- Record changes to the plan, such as new partners or a different activity, through formal corporate acts.
Family members
Spouses, partners and dependants can usually apply for residence for family reunion based on the investor’s residence. Documents and timing are defined case by case, and civil documents such as marriage and birth certificates also need an apostille and translation.
Common mistakes
- Sending money before the company has a bank account, or without registering the investment with the Central Bank.
- Counting loans or third-party funds as the investor’s own investment.
- A generic business plan, or one that the company does not follow afterwards.
- Letting corporate and tax obligations lapse after the residence is granted.
- Choosing activity codes that require licenses the company cannot obtain in time.
Questions investors ask
How much do I need to invest to live in Brazil?
The general minimum is R$ 500,000 of your own funds in a Brazilian company. For investments in innovation, research or technology projects that meet the specific requirements, the minimum is R$ 150,000.
Can I buy an existing company instead of opening one?
Yes. The investment can be made in a new or an existing Brazilian company, as long as it is supported by a business plan and the funds are registered with the Central Bank.
Do I need to live in Brazil before applying?
No. The company can be formed and the investment made while you are abroad, through a resident attorney. The application can be filed in Brazil or through a Brazilian consulate.
Can my family come with me?
Spouses, partners and dependants can usually apply for residence for family reunion based on the investor’s residence.
Does LegalBR file the immigration application?
LegalBR handles the corporate side: CPF, company formation, resident representation, capital registration and corporate acts. The immigration application is handled by an immigration specialist, with whom we coordinate.