Besides its cultural vibrancy and low cost of living, it’s the world’s 11th-largest economy, which has expanded the reasons many investors are considering immigrating to Brazil.
With the introduction of the Brazil Investment Visa, the government has opened the door for foreign investors to gain residency through their economic investment. The primary way to get a Brazil Investor Visa is to purchase real estate.
Overview of Brazil's Real Estate Investment Visa (VIPER)
Often called the Brazil Golden Visa program, the investment initiative attracts foreign direct investment by granting permanent residency in Brazil to foreigners who buy property in the country.
The minimum investment value deemed sufficient by the Brazil government is a property purchase worth at least BRL 700,000 (currently about USD 120,000)
Key facts about the real estate investor visa
- Only real estate purchased in urban areas qualifies
- The qualifying investment has two minimum thresholds:
- BRL 700,000 in the northeast region
- BRL 1 million (currently about USD 160,000 in any other part of Brazil
- Investors can purchase multiple properties, provided the total investment is at least BRL 1 million.
- Investors can make a joint investment, provided the investor’s contribution meets the minimum purchase amount.
- The minimum hold period is four years before properties can be sold.
Seven Benefits of Brazil of Permanent Residency through Investing in Real Estate
- Permanent residence: Successful Brazil Golden Visa investors can reside permanently in Brazil without restrictions.
- Cultural assimilation: Brazil’s permanent residents have the chance to assimilate into Brazilian culture, which facilitates an easy life in Brazil.
- Low-cost real estate: The starting investment threshold is under $150,000, making it much more affordable than property in the US, Canada, European Union, or the UK.
- Earn rental income: Bravil VIPER Visa property owners gain Brazil permanent residency, as well as a property to earn long-term income from rent.
- Diverse property options: Investors can qualify for the program by purchasing a range of property types, including residential homes, condominiums, and commercial real estate.
- Freehold ownership: Brazilian real estate law allows property investors to purchase the full title of real estate in Brazil.
- Brazil citizenship: The Brazil Real Estate VIPER VISA allows visa holders and their dependents to apply for Brazilian citizenship after three to four years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a clean criminal background
- Have the means to purchase a property valued at least BRL 700,000
Required Documents
This is a general list of documents required to apply for a Brazil Investor Visa. The primary and supporting documents required may vary according to the applicant:
- Completed application form
- Bank statement proving transfer of funds to the property seller
- Registro do Imóvel (title deed)
- One passport-sized photograph
- Passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages
- Criminal record certificate
- Birth certificate
- CPF (Brazilian Individual Taxpayer Registry)
A licensed Brazilian authority must authenticate all non-Brazilian documents. Non-Portuguese documents must be accompanied by a SWORN translation.
How much is an investor visa in Brazil?
Besides the minimum investment of BRL 700,000, the application fee costs about USD 150. Additional expenses related to the sale include:
- Translation and notarization fees
- Immigration consultant fees
- Notary fees
- Property transfer tax
- Wire transfer fees
Steps for Buying Real Estate to Obtain Brazil Permanent Residency
Step one: Determine your investment criteria
Determine the type of property you’re interested in purchasing, whether it’s a home for yourself and your family or commercial real estate as an investment.
Step two: Find a property
Select a city and property that qualifies for the visa program and meets your investment needs. Remember, the property must be valued at least BRL 700,000 in the north or northeast and BRL 1 million in the rest of the country.
Important notes:
(i) Only properties with a formal deed (“Registro Geral do Imóvel” also known as “Matrícula”) will qualify. Possession-only properties do not qualify
(ii) Rural properties do not qualify. Note that even an apartment built in a neighborhood classified as rural will not qualify.
Step three: Due diligence
After selecting a suitable property, hire an attorney familiar with Brazil property laws to carry out due diligence on the property before signing a purchase agreement, including:
- Title of the deed with the Cartório de Registro de Imóveis (Real Estate Registry Office)
- Clearance certificate for real estate liens
- IPTU negative certification
- Clearance of property seller
Step four: Complete the real estate purchase
Complete the property purchase by signing a purchase agreement and transferring the required funds to the seller. After the sale is completed, ensure your attorney registers it with the registry office to acquire the title deed.
Step five: Apply for residency
After you’ve completed the property purchase, you can submit proof of purchase, including the transfer of funds to the seller’s account and title documents, along with your VIPER visa application through the Brazil MigrantWeb platform.
Step six: Receive your resident card
Obtain a Registro Nacional Migratório (RNM) card (Brazil foreign resident card) and become a Brazilian resident.
Step seven: Apply for permanent residency
Provided you’ve maintained ownership of the property for four years, you can apply for Brazil permanent residency with the Federal Police.
Brazil Real Estate Investor Visa Properties for Sale
Your trust, our priority
Have confidence in obtaining your Brazil Investment (VIRER) Permanent Residency through real estate with Brazil Visa Solutions. Drawing on the extensive experience of our highly qualified Brazil immigration lawyers, we offer expert guidance to help you buy property to obtain a permanent resident permit in Brazil.
Get it touch with us to book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Brazil Real Estate Permanent Residency (VIPER) Program
What is the Gold Visa for Brazil?
Brazil Golden Visa Program is an immigration investment program allowing foreign nationals to purchase real estate or invest in a business and obtain permanent residency in Brazil.
Can you finance your purchase for a Brazil Investor Visa?
Purchases made to apply for an Investment Visa in Brazil must be funded entirely by the applicant. The qualifying investment can not be funded or partially funded through lending from a Brazilian financial institution. However, investors can finance their purchase with a foreign company should they be eligible to do so.
Is Brazil a good place to invest money?
As the world’s 12th largest economy, Brazil is the ideal place to invest month. Due to the country’s lower cost of living and investments compared to the UK and the US, investors can acquire more physical assets for less. Also, Brazil grants investors permanent residence permits in its VIPER Permanent Residency Investment Visa program.
Can your family members come with you?
Brazil’s VIPER visa program allows them to apply for a permanent visa for their family members, including spouses, children, and parents.
What is the minimum hold period for property investments?
Brazil Investment Visa regulations require property buyers to maintain ownership of their property for four years to maintain a valid residence permit.
Can I buy Brazilian real estate with cryptocurrency?
Using crypto like Bitcoin to buy Brazil real estate is not an option to obtain an Investor Visa with the real estate option. However, crypto holders can sell their digital assets for FIAT currency, which they can use to make a qualifying real estate purchase through a wire transfer.
Does the Brazil Investment Visa have a residency requirement?
Applicants must be present in Brazil for at least 30 days before applying for a residence permit. After obtaining the permit, holders must reside in Brazil for at least 14 days every two days until they are eligible for permanent residence after the fourth year.
Does Brazil offer permanent residency through business investment?
While purchasing real estate is the most popular investment, establishing a business is also an option to obtain a Permanent Residency VIPER Visa. However, the business investment option has a longer process and requires multiple stages of approval.
Why would a Brazil Investor Visa application be denied?
The qualifying criteria for a Brazilian Investor Visa are relatively straightforward. For an applicant to have their visa application denied, it could be for the following reasons:
- The purchase value didn’t meet the minimum threshold of BRL 700,000 in the north/northeast or BRL 1 million anywhere else in Brazil.
- The funds were transferred by an unofficial bank not registered with the Brazil Central Bank.
- The property was purchased outside an urban area, i.e., a remote villa or farm.
- Encumbrances with the property’s title deed.
Is the Brazil Golden Visa the same as the Investment Visa?
Both the Brazil Golden Visa and Investment Visa are the same. The Golden Visa is an internationally recognized term for a residence permit granted to foreigners in exchange for an investment.
Is the Brazil Investment Visa the best route to immigrate to Brazil?
People have different objectives and financial capacities, meaning that it’s not possible to determine the best option to immigrate to Brazil as it depends on your personal circumstances. If you have the financial means to buy a property in Brazil for at least BRL 700,000, the investor visa would be the most straightforward route to immigrate to Brazil permanently. In contrast, digital nomads earning $1,500 per month can quickly obtain a temporary Digital Nomad Visa.
How do you transfer money to Brazil to buy real estate?
Transferring money to Brazil to purchase property using a financial institution in your home that is authorized by the Brazil Central Bank. The funds must be sent to the seller’s account through an international wire (IBAN or SWIFT). Ensure the transaction and funds transferred are documented and from legitimate sources, as the Central Bank of Brazil requires proof to approve the transfer and sale.
What is the difference between the Investment Visa and the VIPER Visa?
The Brazil Investor Visa is a program that allows investors to obtain a renewable residence permit. VIPER in Brazil immigration law refers to a permanent residence permit. The Brazil Investment by Real Estate Visa allows holders to convert their residence permit to a VIPER visa (permanent residency) after four years.
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