VITEM IX is Brazil's investor visa, granted to foreign nationals who invest in a Brazilian company. In 2026, the minimum investment is R$500,000 (roughly USD 90,000), reduced to R$150,000 (roughly USD 27,000) when the capital goes into innovation, research, or activities of significant economic and social relevance. The visa grants a residence authorization, can include dependents, and is directly tied to a Brazilian legal entity — meaning company formation is the first step of the process, not a separate one. This guide covers the amounts, the requirements, and how it works in practice. For the full company formation process, see the Brazil company formation guide.
What is VITEM IX
VITEM IX is the temporary visa for foreign investors who contribute capital to a Brazilian company. It grants a residence authorization to the investor, generally tied to their role as an officer or shareholder of the company, and is governed by resolutions of the National Immigration Council (CNIg). It is not a tourist visa or an employment-based work visa: it is tied to the investment and the company that receives it.
Minimum investment amounts (2026)
The required amount depends on the type of activity the capital is applied to:
| Investment type | Minimum amount |
|---|---|
| General investment in a legal entity | R$500,000 (roughly USD 90,000) |
| Innovation, research, or economic and social relevance | R$150,000 (roughly USD 27,000) |
The capital must be real and verifiable, enter Brazil through formal channels, and be registered with the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil). The reduced R$150,000 amount requires the project to qualify as an innovation or high-relevance activity as defined by the regulation, which must be demonstrated with a business plan.
Requirements
To apply for VITEM IX, the investor generally needs to bring together:
- A Brazilian legal entity, incorporated with an active CNPJ, that receives the investment.
- Proof that the foreign investment entered Brazil and was registered with the Central Bank.
- An investment plan that demonstrates the business's viability and, where applicable, job creation.
- The investor's personal documents, apostilled and translated by a sworn translator.
Because the visa is anchored to the company, the corporate structure needs to be right from the start: the Brazilian entity, typically a Limitada, must have a resident administrator, with the investor properly registered as a shareholder.
The process, step by step
- Company formation. The Brazilian entity is incorporated and obtains its CNPJ from the Receita Federal (the federal tax authority).
- Capital entry and registration. The capital enters Brazil through formal channels and is registered with the Central Bank of Brazil.
- Investment plan. The plan supporting the application is prepared, including business goals and job-creation targets where required.
- Residence authorization application. The application is filed based on the investment made.
- Visa issuance and immigration registration. Once the visa is granted, the investor formalizes their status and obtains the National Migration Registry (RNM) in Brazil.
Maintaining the visa
VITEM IX is not a one-time event: it assumes the investment stays in place and the company remains active. The initial grant is usually for a fixed term, with the possibility of renewal and, later, indefinite residence — provided the investor can show the capital remains invested and the business meets what was presented in the plan, such as job creation. Closing the company or withdrawing the investment directly affects the basis of the visa.
Dependents
The investor can include dependents, such as a spouse and children, in the residence application, which makes VITEM IX a route used by entrepreneurs relocating to Brazil with their family. Each dependent submits their own documentation, also apostilled and translated.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum amount for Brazil's investor visa? In 2026, R$500,000 (roughly USD 90,000) for general investment in a legal entity, or R$150,000 (roughly USD 27,000) when the capital goes into innovation, research, or activities of significant economic and social relevance.
Do I need a company before applying for the visa? Yes. VITEM IX is anchored to a Brazilian entity with an active CNPJ that receives the investment, which is why company formation is the first step.
Does the investment need to be registered? Yes. The foreign capital must enter Brazil through formal channels and be registered with the Central Bank of Brazil, which also protects future fund repatriation.
Can I include my family? Yes. A spouse and children can be included as dependents in the residence application.
Does the visa require job creation? The investment plan usually includes business goals and, depending on the case, job-creation targets, and maintaining the visa is tied to meeting that plan.
Compare Brazil against other markets in our comparison tool or see the Brazil country page for the full picture.
NavviPal incorporates the Brazilian entity and structures the investment that underpins VITEM IX, coordinating with immigration counsel, and handles the CNPJ, the Central Bank investment registration, and the corporate structure. Talk to our team for a fixed-scope quote.
Amounts last verified: July 2026.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice.
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