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Practice

Investments and foreign investment approvals

Investing across a border means regulators, structures and visas that must line up. We handle the approvals and the structuring, and connect the investment to residence where that is the goal.

AustraliaNew ZealandPortugal · EUBrazil

Foreign investment is regulated in every one of our jurisdictions: Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board regime, the Central Bank registration of foreign capital in Brazil, and the residence-linked investment programs of Portugal and New Zealand. We advise investors, family offices and companies on the approvals, the entity that should hold the asset and the obligations that follow.

Where an investment is also the basis for a visa — Portugal's Golden Visa, New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa, Australia's National Innovation visa — we run the legal and the migration work as one file.

Who this is for

  • Private investors and family offices
  • Companies acquiring assets abroad
  • Investors seeking residence through investment
  • Advisers needing cross-border legal input on a transaction

What we do

  • Australian foreign investment (FIRB) applications and exemption certificates
  • Foreign investor registration and repatriation rules in Brazil
  • Investment structures for property, businesses and funds
  • Investment migration programs in Portugal and New Zealand, and Australia's National Innovation visa
  • Alternative investment advisory and due diligence coordination
  • Compliance, reporting and governance for foreign-owned assets

How it works

Investment consultation

We identify the approvals, the holding structure and the migration angle, and set out costs and timing.

Approvals and structuring

Applications are prepared and lodged, entities established, and agreements drafted.

Completion and compliance

We close the transaction and calendar the reporting and residence conditions that follow.

Questions

Do all foreign buyers of Australian property need FIRB approval?

Most foreign persons do, with exceptions and thresholds that depend on the buyer and the asset. We confirm before contracts are signed.

Can an investment in Portugal still lead to residence?

Yes, through the Golden Visa investment routes that remain open; property purchase no longer qualifies. See our Portugal page.

Is Australia's investor visa still open?

The Business Innovation and Investment program (subclass 188) closed to new applications in July 2024; existing provisional visa holders can still progress to the subclass 888. Australia's current route for outstanding entrepreneurs and investors is the National Innovation visa (subclass 858), and New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa remains open.

Can you coordinate with my accountant or financial adviser?

Yes — we work alongside your existing advisers and handle the legal and regulatory side.

Talk to us about investments & foreign investment approvals.

A short message with the countries involved is enough to start. We reply within one business day.