Brazil offers several options for obtaining permanent residency, whether through investment, work, family connections, or marriage. This article explores the different pathways, eligibility criteria, and benefits of each type of visa.
1. Investor Visa – Permanent Residency Through Investment
If you want to settle in Brazil through investment, the foreign investor visa is an excellent option. It allows you and your family to obtain permanent residency in exchange for investing in a Brazilian company or real estate.
Why Invest in Brazil?
Brazil is a rapidly growing country with lucrative opportunities in real estate and local businesses. The investor visa grants you access to public services, the freedom to live and work, and can lead to Brazilian citizenship after four years.
Minimum Investment Amounts
- In a Brazilian company: Minimum 500,000 BRL (~90,000 EUR), reduced to 150,000 BRL (~27,000 EUR) for startups and innovative projects.
- In real estate: Minimum 1,000,000 BRL (~185,000 EUR), but only 700,000 BRL (~130,000 EUR) in Alagoas and other northeastern states, thanks to special tax incentives.
Benefits
✔ Permanent residency for the entire family.
✔ Access to public services (education, healthcare).
✔ Eligibility to apply for Brazilian citizenship after four years.
✔ Access to public services (education, healthcare).
Important: During the temporary visa period, the value of your real estate investments in Brazil must not fall below 700,000 BRL. If you sell your properties and your total investment drops below this amount, you will lose your temporary visa and the right to apply for permanent residency.
To maintain your visa, you must stay in Brazil for at least 14 days every two years.
Do I Need to Invest the Full Amount at Once?
No, you can invest gradually to reach the 700,000 BRL permanent visa threshold. There is no time limit for these investments. However, the visa considers only the original purchase price and not the current market value. If you buy an apartment for 450,000 BRL and its value increases to 550,000 BRL two years later, only 450,000 BRL is counted towards your visa.
Obtaining a Visa for Your Family
When you obtain the visa as the main investor, your close family members can also benefit from permanent residency in Brazil. This includes:
- Your spouse
- Your children
- Dependent parents
Family members do not need to invest individually; they can obtain their visa as dependents of the main applicant. Required documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of kinship, and financial dependency proof.
Visa Processing Time: Family visa processing is usually faster than the main applicant’s.
Important: Each family member must submit a separate visa application, and visa fees apply to each request.
2. Work Visa – Legally Working in Brazil
Foreigners can obtain a work visa if they are hired by a Brazilian company. The employer must prove that the position requires specific skills that cannot be easily filled by a Brazilian worker.
Work Visa Requirements
- A signed contract with a Brazilian company.
- Proof that the position cannot be filled by a Brazilian worker.
- The employer must submit a request for approval to the Ministry of Labor.
This visa is usually temporary, but it can be renewed and converted into permanent residency after several years of professional activity in Brazil.
3. Family Reunification Visa – Living in Brazil Through Family Ties
If you have a Brazilian spouse, child, or parent, you can apply for a family reunification visa to obtain permanent residency.
Who Qualifies?
- Spouse of a Brazilian citizen.
- Minor or dependent adult children of a Brazilian citizen.
- Parents of a Brazilian child.
- Other family members proving financial dependency.
This visa immediately grants permanent residency without requiring an investment or a minimum stay period.
4. Marriage Visa – Getting Married to a Brazilian Citizen
Marrying a Brazilian citizen allows you to immediately obtain permanent residency. However, you must prove that the marriage is genuine to avoid suspicion of fraud. After four years of residing in Brazil, you can apply for Brazilian citizenship.
5. CPLP Visa – A New Program for Portuguese-Speaking Countries
Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP - Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries) can apply for a special visa, which simplifies the process of obtaining residency in Brazil.
Benefits of the CPLP Visa
✔ Simplified process for obtaining residency.
✔ No investment or employment requirements.
✔ Quick access to public services and the Brazilian job market.
Eligible Countries
🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇦🇴 Angola, 🇲🇿 Mozambique, 🇨🇻 Cape Verde, 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau, 🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe, 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea, and 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste.
6. Visa for pensioners
Brazil also offers a special visa for retirees wishing to settle there. This visa is intended for individuals with a regular monthly income from a pension or retirement, thus ensuring their livelihood without relying on the Brazilian job market.
Criteria
- Have a minimum monthly income of 2,000 USD from a pension or retirement.
- Provide evidence of the source of this income, such as bank statements and official certificates from the institution that pays the pension.
Benefits
✔ Permanent residence in Brazil without the need to invest or work.
✔ Possibility to include the partner in the application.
✔ Access to public services such as health and education.
✔ Does not require mandatory stay in Brazil
7. Digital Nomad Visa
Since 2022, Brazil has offered a special visa for independent workers and foreign employees who wish to live in Brazil while working remotely for companies or clients located abroad.
Criteria
- Working remotely for a company based outside of Brazil or being freelance with foreign clients.
- Prove a minimum monthly income of 1,500 USD or have savings of at least 18,000 USD in your account.
- Present a work contract or documents proving your self-employment activity.
- Take out an international health insurance policy valid in Brazil for the entire duration of the stay.
- Provide a clean criminal record.
The visa has an initial validity of one year, renewable once, for a maximum total of two years.
Benefits
✔ You can legally live in Brazil while continuing to work for your clients/employers abroad.
✔ No need to invest or be hired by a Brazilian company.
✔ Freedom to travel within Brazil while maintaining your legal status.
✔ Possibility to apply for a visa for your spouse or children as dependants.
Limitations
✘ This visa does not automatically grant the right to permanent residence. It is designed for extended temporary stays.
✘ You cannot engage in professional activities for Brazilian companies with this visa.
✘ You must apply for a renewal before the expiry if you wish to stay for more than a year.
8. Student visa
This visa is intended for foreigners wishing to study in Brazil at a university, a technical school, or to participate in an exchange programme.
Conditions:
- To be enrolled in a recognised educational institution.
- Prove sufficient means of subsistence to live in Brazil.
- Do not engage in paid professional activity in Brazil.
Duration :
Up to 1 year, renewable for the entire duration of the studies.
9. Missionary or religious visa
This visa is intended for members of religious or missionary organisations wishing to carry out activities in Brazil.
Conditions:
- Membership in a legally established religious entity in Brazil.
- Letter from the religious community explaining the mission.
- No paid activity (except for coverage by the organisation).
Duration
✔ Granted for 1 year, renewable up to 5 years, with the possibility of converting to permanent residence after 4 years.
Benefits
✔ May include family members.
✔ Possibility to apply for permanent residency after a few years of continuous activity.
10. Humanitarian visa
Granted to nationals of countries in crisis (armed conflicts, political or humanitarian persecution). Brazil has notably granted this type of visa to Syrian, Afghan, Haitian, Venezuelan nationals...
11. Artistic or cultural visa
For individuals participating in temporary artistic, cultural or sporting activities (for example: touring artists, guest athletes, researchers for conferences, etc.)
Duration
✔ From 30 days to 1 year, depending on the project.
✔ Possibility of extension in case of continuous activity.
Conditions
- Invitation letter or contract with a Brazilian organizer.
- Details of the project or mission.
- Mandatory travel insurance.
12. Visa for researchers or visiting professors
For foreign professionals invited by Brazilian institutions to participate in academic projects, research, conferences, etc.
Conditions
- Invitation letter from a Brazilian university, research institute or organisation.
- Proof of professional qualification.
- Description of the project or mission.
Duration
✔ Generally from 90 days to 1 year, renewable.
✔ Certain extended missions may entitle the holder to a longer temporary residence.
13. Medical Treatment Visa
For foreigners seeking long-term medical treatment in Brazil.
Conditions:
- Letter from the healthcare institution in Brazil.
- Proof of financial means to cover expenses.
- Accompaniment of a relative possible (upon request).
How We Can Help
We assist investors and expatriates in their relocation process to Brazil. Our immigration lawyer specializes in preparing and submitting your visa application, ensuring it meets all legal requirements and optimizing your chances of approval.
✔ Assistance in obtaining a CPF and visa.
✔ Investment and real estate management consulting.
✔ Support with administrative and legal procedures.
Nieilly Gomes
Immigration lawyer