The humanitarian and institutional crisis that is plaguing Venezuela has caused the…

Overview

The humanitarian and institutional crisis that is plaguing Venezuela has caused the forced displacement of millions of people in search of safety and minimum conditions for survival. Outside the country, however, many face a new barrier: the extreme difficulty in obtaining duplicates of essential documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates or even valid passports, a reality made worse by the precariousness or inoperability of Venezuelan consular services. Faced with this scenario, the Brazilian State adopted a normative and humanitarian stance. Brazilian legislation offers a possibility for nationals from border countries, especially Venezuelans, who are not covered by a MERCOSUR residence agreement, to request a residence permit in Brazil, regardless of the form of entry and even in the absence of supporting records by other migration regulations. The ordinance provides for alternatives such as self-declaration of affiliation, the use of expired documents or even the waiver of certain documents in cases of vulnerability. After two years of regular residence, it is possible to apply for residence for an indefinite period, as long as there is no criminal record and proof of means of subsistence.