The 7 Ways to Get Residency in Brazil: A Comprehensive Guide
February 5, 2025
In this comprehensive guide, Gilberto Leonello explores all of Brazil’s immigration options covering investment, retiree, work visas, and more
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
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Program Type:
Residence by Investment
Processing Time:
4-6 months
Citizenship Timeline:
3-4 years
Permanent Residency Timeline:
Upon approval
Physical Presence Required:
30 days per year (conditional)
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
169 countries
Minimum Contribution:
BRL150,000 (US$28,000)
Contribution Options:
Business Investment, Fund Investment, Property Investment, Securities Investment
On This Page
Program Overview
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
Brazil offers what is termed “permanent residency” to those who invest in businesses or real estate above a certain sum immediately upon application approval. In practice, however, the residence permit is not permanent but, rather, contingent on the investor maintaining the qualifying investment.
Fortunately, program participants are eligible to apply for Brazilian citizenship citizenship in as little as three years.
Though a business investment of just US$28,000 is technically the minimum investment, this option is only feasible under very particular circumstances. Most applicants should expect to invest a minimum of US$93,000 in a business or US$126,00 in property.
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
How to Qualify
To qualify for Brazil’s permanent residency for investors, applicants must invest either in Brazilian real estate or businesses.
Business investment options:
- BRL500,000 ($93,000) investment in a business in Brazil.
- BRL150,00 ($28,000) investment in innovative activities to boost the local economy (create 10 local jobs).
Under the business investment options, the applicant must show proof of subsistence and de facto residence.
For business investment, the business plan must obtain approval from the National Council of Immigration (CNI) to be eligible.
The applicant must prove that the company is in good standing and employs local residents to renew the permanent residence after three years.
Real estate investment options:
- BRL700,000 ($126,000) investment in real estate in the North and North Eastern regions of Brazil; or
- BRL1 million ($185,000) investment in real estate in other regions within Brazil.
The investment must be maintained to retain residency.
Dependents may include a spouse, parents and children under 24 under family reunion.
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
Salient Benefits
- Path to citizenship
- Permits dual citizenship
- Enhanced business access to large economies
- Lower cost of living
- Warm climate
- Short processing time
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
The applicant must be approved for residency before arriving in Brazil. The Business Investor VIPER is a permanent residence visa issued immediately but, if chosing the business investment option, the applicant must have his business reviewed by authorities after three years.
To maintain permanent residency, the applicant may not be absent for more than six consecutive months. After four years of continuous residency, the applicant may apply for citizenship.
Under the real estate route, the residence permit is initially issued for 2 years and can be renewed indefinitely if the investment is maintained by the applicant. Pysical presence of 30 days per annum is required to retain residency.
Those who invest more than US$200,000 in real estate are eligible to apply for citizenship after just three years, rather than the normal four.
Brazil permits dual citizenship.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to Ministério das Relações Exteriores.
Legislation upon which this program is based on Migration Law 2017 Chapter 2 Article 14.1(h) and 9 and Normative Resolution No.13 of 2017 (Business Investment) and Migration Law. Normative Resolution No.36 Article 20 (Real Estate).
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
IMI Pros Who Can Help You
Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
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Brazil Permanent Residency Investor Visa (VIPER)
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.