Countries › Brazil › Guide › 8. Immigration › Visas and residence in Brazil for investors, executives and staff

Visas and residence in Brazil for investors, executives and staff

Last verified: 2026-10-25 · Status: Changing

Business visitors may meet, sign and deliver contracted technical assistance for up to 90 days but may not do paid work; anyone working in Brazil needs work or investment residence, decided by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. A foreign investor who brings at least R$500,000 into a Brazilian company (R$150,000 for qualifying innovation) gets indefinite residence tied to a 3 year business plan, and a buyer of urban property worth R$1,000,000 (R$700,000 in the North and Northeast) gets 4 years, convertible to indefinite. Digital nomads with US$1,500 a month qualify for a year, Mercosur nationals need no offer or investment, and every resident must register with the Federal Police within 90 days of entry.

USD figures use the Banco Central do Brasil PTAX selling rate of R$5.0377 per US dollar for 23 October 2026, the last business day before verification. Conversions are for orientation only.

Key facts

Minimum investment in a Brazilian company for investor residence	500000 BRLRN CNIg nº 13/2017 art. 2, as of 2024-06-25 · in force
Minimum investment for investor residence, in USD at PTAX R$5.0377 (23 October 2026)	99251.64 USDRN CNIg nº 13/2017 art. 2, as of 2026-10-23 · in force
Minimum investment for investor residence in innovation or research activity	150000 BRLRN CNIg nº 13/2017 art. 3, as of 2024-06-25 · in force
Execution period of the required investment or business plan	3 yearsRN CNIg nº 13/2017 art. 4 § 1, as of 2024-06-25 · in force
Minimum urban real estate purchase for residence	1000000 BRLRN CNIg nº 36/2018 art. 2, as of 2021-12-09 · in force
Minimum real estate purchase for residence in the North and Northeast regions	700000 BRLRN CNIg nº 36/2018 art. 2 § 1, as of 2021-12-09 · in force
Initial term of real estate investor residence	4 yearsRN CNIg nº 36/2018 art. 3 § 4, as of 2021-12-09 · in force
Minimum days in Brazil every 2 years for real estate investor residence	14 daysRN CNIg nº 36/2018 art. 6, as of 2021-12-09 · in force
Digital nomad minimum foreign source income	1500 USDResolução CNIG MJSP nº 45/2021 art. 5, III, as of 2021-09-09 · in force
Digital nomad alternative minimum bank funds	18000 USDResolução CNIG MJSP nº 45/2021 art. 5, III, as of 2021-09-09 · in force
Digital nomad initial residence term	1 yearsResolução CNIG MJSP nº 45/2021 arts. 3 and 4, as of 2021-09-09 · in force
Maximum visitor stay per migratory year	180 daysDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 20, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Legal deadline for deciding work residence applications	60 daysLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 31 § 1, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Deadline to register with the Federal Police after entry on a temporary visa	90 daysDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 64, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Fee for processing a residence authorization application	168.13 BRLDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 131 and Annex, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Fee for issuing the immigrant identity card	204.77 BRLDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 131 and Annex, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Maximum migration fine per infraction, individual	10000 BRLLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 108, V, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Maximum migration fine per infraction, legal entity	1000000 BRLLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 108, VI, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Unjustified absence that triggers loss of residence	2 yearsDecreto nº 9.199/2017 art. 135, III, as of 2017-11-20 · in force
Residence required for ordinary naturalization	4 yearsLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 65, II, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Reduced residence for naturalization (Brazilian child or spouse, relevant service, professional capacity)	1 yearsLei nº 13.445/2017 art. 66, as of 2017-05-24 · in force
Mercosur Residence Agreement temporary residence	2 yearsDecreto nº 6.975/2009, Agreement art. 4, as of 2009-10-07 · in force

The rule

1. A visitor, with a visit visa or visa exemption, may come for tourism or business but may not do paid work in Brazil. Business covers meetings, trade fairs and corporate events, prospecting for deals, signing contracts, audit or consulting, and technical assistance or technology transfer under a contract between a foreign and a Brazilian company. The stay is up to 90 days, extendable by the Federal Police by up to 90 more days only for nationals of countries that grant Brazilians reciprocity, with a ceiling of 180 days per migratory year. A visitor may be paid a per diem, expense allowance or fee for travel costs.
Cost to do it: Visa fees depend on nationality and reciprocity and are charged by the consulate; there is no residence fee for a visitor.
Example: A foreign parent company sends an engineer for 6 weeks to commission equipment sold under a technology transfer contract with its Brazilian client. The engineer stays as a visitor, is paid by the foreign employer, and leaves within the 90 day stay. / The engineer's travel per diem may be paid in Brazil without turning the trip into paid work (Lei nº 13.445 art. 13 § 2).Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017 (Migration Law); Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, art. 29 § 3 as worded by Decreto nº 12.657 of 7 October 2025, Lei nº 13.445 art. 13, caput and §§ 1 and 2; Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 20 and 29 §§ 1 and 3, 2025-10-07 official text · verified 2026-10-25 · changed: Decreto nº 12.657, published in the DOU of 8 October 2025, rewrote the list of business activities allowed to visitors (Decreto nº 9.199 art. 29 § 3), expressly including technical assistance and technology transfer under a contract, agreement or covenant between a foreign and a Brazilian legal entity.

2. A foreigner who will work in Brazil, with or without an employment relationship, needs a temporary work visa or a work residence authorization. The rule is a formal job offer from a legal entity operating in Brazil, waived if the applicant holds a university degree or equivalent, subject to the regulation. With an employment relationship, the offer is shown by an individual employment contract or a services contract. Without one, it covers listed activities such as technical assistance or technology transfer, representing a foreign financial institution, or training at a Brazilian subsidiary, branch or parent. The immigrant may change the place where the work is done. Residence for work is a facilitated route: the Ministry of Justice and Public Security must decide within 60 days of the application.
Cost to do it: Residence processing fee R$168.13 plus R$204.77 for the immigrant identity card (Decreto nº 9.199 art. 131 and Annex), before sworn translations, legalization and advisers.
Example: Government fees for one work residence: R$168.13 plus R$204.77, R$372.90 in total. / About US$74.02 in total.Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017; Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Lei nº 13.445 art. 14, I, e and §§ 5 and 8; art. 30, I, e; art. 31 § 1. Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 38 and 147, 2017-05-24 official text · verified 2026-10-25

3. A foreign individual who invests own funds of foreign origin in a Brazilian company, new or existing, with potential to create jobs or income, may obtain residence. The investment must be made in foreign currency and be at least R$500,000, backed by an investment or business plan with a 3 year execution period covering hiring, salaries and use of funds. For innovation, basic or applied research of a scientific or technological nature, the floor drops to R$150,000 if the company meets at least one test: public innovation funding, located in a technology park, incubated or graduated, finalist in a government startup program, or backed by a startup accelerator in Brazil. Proof is the registered articles with the foreign capital paid in and the foreign exchange contract from an institution authorized by the Banco Central do Brasil showing foreign direct investment. The residence term is indefinite, but continuity depends on proving execution of the plan, with jobs evidenced by RAIS and FGTS records, and the Ministry may inspect on site.
Cost to do it: Minimum investment R$500,000, or R$150,000 for qualifying innovation, plus R$168.13 processing and R$204.77 identity card fees.
Example: Minimum R$500,000; innovation route minimum R$150,000. / About US$99,251.64; innovation route about US$29,775.49.Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 13 of 12 December 2017 (DOU of 22 December 2017), as amended by Resolução CNIG/MJSP nº 49 of 25 June 2024; Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 42 and 151, RN nº 13 arts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 §§ 2 and 4, 2024-06-25 official text · verified 2026-10-25 · changed: Resolução CNIG/MJSP nº 49 of 25 June 2024 moved the decision to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, required the foreign exchange contract as proof of the investment, and set the residence term as indefinite. Decreto nº 12.657 of 7 October 2025 abolished the CNIg (it revoked Decreto nº 9.873/2019) and provides that future investor requirements will be set by joint ordinance of the Ministers of Justice and of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry's digital library lists the CNIg resolutions with no express revocation.

4. A foreign administrator, manager, director or executive with management powers who comes to represent a company, group or conglomerate that makes foreign investment in a company established in Brazil, with potential to create jobs or income, may obtain residence for investment. The grant depends on actually holding the position assigned in a contract or in minutes duly registered with the competent body, normally the commercial registry. The Ministry's immigration portal states that this residence, which is work without an employment relationship in Brazil, has an indefinite term, and that the Brazilian company files when the executive is abroad.
Cost to do it: R$168.13 processing and R$204.77 identity card fees per executive, plus the qualifying investment by the foreign group.
Example: Fees R$372.90 per executive. / About US$74.02 per executive.Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, art. 151 § 4 as worded by Decreto nº 12.657 of 7 October 2025; Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 11 of 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 art. 43 and art. 151 §§ 2, 3 and 4, 2025-10-07 official text · verified 2026-10-25 · changed: Decreto nº 12.657 of 7 October 2025 provides that requirements for investment residence, including for executives, follow a joint act of the Ministers of Justice and Public Security and of Foreign Affairs (Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 43 § 2 and 151 § 4).

5. A foreign individual who buys urban real estate in Brazil with own funds of foreign origin may obtain residence. The purchase must be at least R$1,000,000, finished or under construction, and may combine several properties; the floor is up to 30 percent lower, R$700,000, in the North and Northeast regions. Proof is the property registry certificate free of liens, or a registered purchase commitment with building permit and registered development memorial, plus a statement from a Banco Central authorized institution of the international transfer of funds. Co ownership works only if each co owner invested the full minimum. Financing is allowed only for the part above R$1,000,000. Residence is granted for 4 years and may then become indefinite if the investment is maintained; the investor must spend at least 14 days in Brazil, continuous or not, in every 2 year period from Federal Police registration.
Cost to do it: Property of at least R$1,000,000 (R$700,000 in the North and Northeast), plus R$372.90 in residence fees, before the property transfer tax and notary and registry costs.
Example: Minimum R$1,000,000; North and Northeast minimum R$700,000. / About US$198,503.29; North and Northeast about US$138,952.30.Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 36 of 9 October 2018 (DOU of 21 November 2018), as amended by Resolução CNIG MJSP nº 46 of 9 December 2021, RN nº 36 arts. 2, 3 §§ 1, 2 and 4, 4, 5 and 6, 2021-12-09 official text · verified 2026-10-25 · changed: Resolução CNIG MJSP nº 46 of 9 December 2021 set the initial term at 4 years with conversion to indefinite residence, and added the minimum stay of 14 days every 2 years.

6. A digital nomad, meaning a foreigner who works remotely for a foreign employer using information technology, may obtain a temporary visa or residence for up to 1 year, renewable once for the same period. Proof is a remote work statement, a contract or other evidence of the tie to the foreign employer, and income from a foreign source of at least US$1,500 a month or bank funds of at least US$18,000, plus valid health insurance for the visa. Anyone working for an employer in Brazil does not qualify.
Cost to do it: No minimum investment; consular visa fee, or R$372.90 in residence fees if applying inside Brazil.
Example: Income floor about R$7,556.55 a month, or funds of about R$90,678.60, at PTAX R$5.0377. / US$1,500 a month or US$18,000 in funds.Resolução CNIG MJSP nº 45 of 9 September 2021 (DOU of 24 January 2022), Arts. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2021-09-09 official text · verified 2026-10-25

7. Nationals of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Chile (originally or naturalized for at least 5 years) may obtain temporary residence of up to 2 years under the Mercosur Residence Agreement on proof of identity, civil status and a clean criminal record, without a job offer or investment, including when already in Brazil, with waiver of fines for irregular entry. They may work in any activity, as employees or self employed, on equal terms. The temporary residence may become permanent on application filed within 90 days before it expires, with proof of lawful means of support. The Migration Law preserves more favorable Mercosur treaty rights.
Cost to do it: No investment or job offer; only the service fees set by national law.
Example: An Argentine manager transferred to a São Paulo subsidiary can use this route instead of a work authorization. / Saves the time and cost of a job offer based application; government fees are the same R$372.90 range, about US$74.02, where charged.Decreto nº 6.975 of 7 October 2009, promulgating the Agreement on Residence for Nationals of the Mercosur States Parties, Bolivia and Chile; Lei nº 13.445 art. 111, Agreement arts. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8, 2009-10-07 official text · verified 2026-10-25

8. Every holder of a temporary visa or residence authorization must register with the Federal Police, which issues the National Migration Registry number and card (CRNM). A temporary visa holder must request registration within 90 days of entry; a person granted residence while in Brazil must request it within 30 days of publication of the approval. Missing either deadline is an administrative infraction punished by a fine (per day of delay for the 30 day case), and overstaying is fined per day with deportation if the person does not leave or regularize. Fines for individuals range from R$100 to R$10,000 and for companies from R$1,000 to R$1,000,000 per infraction.
Cost to do it: Identity card R$204.77; fines from R$100 to R$10,000 for individuals.
Example: Fine range for an individual R$100 to R$10,000; for a company R$1,000 to R$1,000,000 per infraction. / About US$19.85 to US$1,985.03 for an individual; about US$198.50 to US$198,503.29 for a company.Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017; Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Lei nº 13.445 arts. 108 and 109, II to IV; Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 62, 63, 64, 66 and 307, 2017-11-20 official text · verified 2026-10-25

9. Residence is lost if its basis ceases, if residence is obtained on another basis, or after an absence from Brazil of more than 2 years without justification; the immigrant must tell the Federal Police when the conditions behind the residence stop. Ordinary naturalization requires at least 4 years of residence, ability to communicate in Portuguese and no criminal conviction; the residence period drops to at least 1 year for a person with a Brazilian child or spouse or partner, or who is recommended by professional, scientific or artistic capacity.
Cost to do it: No fee is set in these articles; the cost of losing residence is reapplying from scratch.
Example: An investor residing since 2026 can apply for ordinary naturalization after 4 years of residence, or after 1 year if married to a Brazilian. / Not applicable.Lei nº 13.445 of 24 May 2017; Decreto nº 9.199 of 20 November 2017, Decreto nº 9.199 art. 135; Lei nº 13.445 arts. 65 and 66, 2017-05-24 official text · verified 2026-10-25

Route	Who it fits	Minimum	Initial term	Path to indefinite
Investor in a company (RN 13)	Entrepreneur investing own foreign funds	R$500,000 (US$99,251.64); R$150,000 (US$29,775.49) for innovation	Indefinite	Already indefinite; continuity depends on executing the 3 year plan
Executive of a foreign investor (Decreto 9.199 art. 151 § 2)	Director or manager appointed in registered minutes or a contract	Investment by the foreign group per the applicable act	Indefinite (per the Ministry's portal)	Already indefinite while in the role
Real estate investor (RN 36)	Buyer of urban property	R$1,000,000 (US$198,503.29); R$700,000 (US$138,952.30) North and Northeast	4 years	Yes, if the property is kept and 14 days every 2 years are spent in Brazil
Work (Decreto 9.199 art. 147)	Employee or service provider with an offer from a Brazilian entity	Job offer, or a university degree	Per the applicable act	Per the applicable act
Digital nomad (Resolução 45/2021)	Remote worker for a foreign employer	US$1,500 a month or US$18,000 in funds	Up to 1 year	One renewal for the same period
Mercosur residence (Decreto 6.975/2009)	Nationals of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile	None	Up to 2 years	Yes, filed within 90 days before expiry

Main routes for investors and their teams, with minimum amounts and terms, in reais and US dollars at PTAX R$5.0377 (23 October 2026). Sources: RN CNIg nº 13/2017 arts. 2, 3 and 6 § 4; RN CNIg nº 36/2018 arts. 2 and 3 § 4; Resolução CNIG MJSP nº 45/2021 arts. 3 to 6; Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 147 and 151 § 2; Decreto nº 6.975/2009 arts. 4 and 5.

Worked example

Founder moving with a startup. A foreign founder puts R$150,000 (about US$29,775.49) of own funds, converted through a Banco Central authorized bank under a foreign direct investment exchange contract, into a newly formed Ltda. incubated at a university technology park. Because the company is incubated, the innovation floor applies instead of R$500,000 (RN nº 13 art. 3 § 1, III). The founder files a 3 year business plan with a hiring schedule (art. 4 § 1), pays R$168.13 in processing fees, and after arriving registers with the Federal Police within 90 days, paying R$204.77 for the card (Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 64 and 131). The residence term is indefinite, but the founder should keep RAIS and FGTS records proving the planned jobs, since continuity depends on executing the plan (RN nº 13 art. 6 §§ 2 and 4).
Buying a flat to obtain residence. An investor buys a finished apartment in Fortaleza, in the Northeast, for R$700,000 (about US$138,952.30), wired from abroad. That meets the reduced regional floor (RN nº 36 art. 2 § 1). The investor receives residence for 4 years (art. 3 § 4), must spend at least 14 days in Brazil every 2 years (art. 6), and can then convert to indefinite residence by proving the property is still owned (art. 5). Had the flat been in São Paulo, R$1,000,000 (about US$198,503.29) would be the minimum, and only the part above that could be financed (art. 3 § 2).
Sending a director to run the subsidiary. A foreign group appoints an executive as officer of its Brazilian subsidiary. The appointment is recorded in minutes registered with the commercial registry, which is the condition for the residence (Decreto nº 9.199 art. 151 § 3). The subsidiary files for prior residence while the executive is abroad, then the executive collects the visa at the consulate and registers within 90 days of entry (art. 64).

Step by step

1. Pick the route by purpose before travel: business visit, work, investment in a company, executive of an investor, real estate, digital nomad or Mercosur residence (Lei nº 13.445 arts. 13, 14 and 30).
2. If the activity is paid work in Brazil, do not use a visit; obtain work or investment residence first (Lei nº 13.445 art. 13 § 1).
3. For investment routes, convert the funds through a bank authorized by the Banco Central do Brasil with the exchange contract classified as foreign direct investment, and register the capital in the company's articles (RN nº 13 art. 5, I and II; RN nº 36 art. 3).
4. Assemble the general file: application form, passport, parentage document legalized and translated by a sworn translator, criminal record certificates from every place of residence in the last 5 years, a no conviction declaration and the paid federal fee slip (Resolução Normativa CNIg nº 1 of 1 December 2017 art. 1).
5. File electronically with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security: as prior residence for a visa if the applicant is abroad, or as residence if already in Brazil (Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 42 § 3, 123 and 151). Work residence must be decided within 60 days (Lei nº 13.445 art. 31 § 1).
6. After approval abroad, apply for the visa at the consulate and enter Brazil.
7. Register with the Federal Police within 90 days of entry, or within 30 days of approval if the residence was granted in Brazil, and obtain the CRNM (Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 64 and 66).
8. Keep the basis alive: execute the investment plan, keep the property, stay in the role, and tell the Federal Police if the conditions end (RN nº 13 art. 6 § 2; RN nº 36 arts. 5 and 6; Decreto nº 9.199 art. 135 § 1).

Common traps

Working on a visit. Visitors may hold meetings, sign contracts, audit and deliver contracted technical assistance, but any paid work in Brazil needs residence; per diems for travel costs are allowed (Lei nº 13.445 art. 13 §§ 1 and 2; Decreto nº 9.199 art. 29 § 3).
Overstaying 90 days. A visit stay is 90 days and only nationals of countries that offer Brazilians reciprocity can extend it, to at most 180 days per migratory year; overstay is fined per day (Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 20 and 307, II).
Bringing the money the wrong way. Investor residence requires a foreign exchange contract from a Banco Central authorized institution showing foreign direct investment; funds already in Brazil or sent informally do not prove the investment (RN nº 13 art. 5, II; RN nº 36 art. 3).
Treating indefinite as unconditional. Investor residence is indefinite, but continuity depends on executing the business plan, and the Ministry may inspect the company on site (RN nº 13 art. 6 §§ 1, 2 and 4).
Owning property is not residence by itself. Holding assets in Brazil gives no right to residence outside the real estate investment route, which has its own minimums (Decreto nº 9.199 art. 123 § 2; RN nº 36 art. 2).
Co owning to share the minimum. Each co owner must have invested the full minimum, and only the part above R$1,000,000 can be financed (RN nº 36 art. 3 §§ 1 and 2).
Missing the registration window. Registering with the Federal Police later than 90 days after entry, or 30 days after an in country approval, triggers fines (Lei nº 13.445 art. 109, III and IV).
Staying away too long. More than 2 years outside Brazil without justification causes loss of residence, and real estate investors must also spend 14 days every 2 years in Brazil (Decreto nº 9.199 art. 135, III; RN nº 36 art. 6).
Relying on old rules. Decreto nº 12.657 of October 2025 abolished the CNIg and moved future rule making to joint ministerial ordinances; check the Ministry's portal for any new ordinance before filing (Decreto nº 9.199 arts. 42 § 2 and 151 § 4).

Sources

← Employing people in Brazil: contracts, real cost of a hire, hours, dismissal and outsourcingImporting and exporting in Brazil: the core rules →