Unsung IM Programs Part 3: Brazil’s Permanent Residence Investor Visa (VIPER)
Immediate PR, citizenship in 3 years, free movement in most of South America, and birthright citizenship make for an interesting proposition.
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.
Program Type | Golden Visa Program |
Time to citizenship | 3 or 4 years |
Time to permanent residency | Immediately upon approval |
Minimum investment | BRL 150,000 (US$28,000) |
Physical presence requirement | 30 days per year (under real estate option only, otherwise 183 days) |
Application processing time | 4-6 months |
Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 169 destinations, including Schengen countries |
Contribution types available | Property Investment, Business Investment, Fund Investment, Securities Investment |
General program requirements
To qualify for Brazil’s permanent residency for investors, applicants must invest either in Brazilian real estate or businesses.
Business investment options:
BRL 500,000 ($93,000) investment in a business in Brazil.
BRL 150,00 ($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:
BRL 700,000 ($126,000) investment in real estate in the North and North Eastern regions of Brazil; or
BRL 1 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.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
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.
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Migration Law 2017 Chapter 2 Article 14.1(h) and 9
Normative Resolution No.13 of 2017 (Business Investment) and Migration Law. Normative Resolution No.36 Article 20 (Real Estate)
No statistics available yet for this program.
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Immediate PR, citizenship in 3 years, free movement in most of South America, and birthright citizenship make for an interesting proposition.
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Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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