Residence program reinstituted for bordering countries’ nationals

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Brazil published a new normative resolution (# 126), which provides a temporary residence benefit to nationals of countries that border Brazil but are not part of the Mercosur Residence Agreement. Refugees from these countries who have pending refugee petitions may renounce their applications and apply for temporary residence instead under this resolution.

What does the change mean? The resolution means that nationals of French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and  Venezuela who enter Brazil by land may apply locally for a temporary residence (valid for two years). This benefit will remain in force for one year, but may be extended.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Two-year temporary residence.
• Who is affected: Nationals of nationals French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela entering Brazil by land.
• Business impact: Affected individuals will be eligible to work in Brazil as part of the two-year residency.

Background: Brazil published a separate resolution in February, providing for the benefits described above. That resolution was revoked shortly after it was published, but Brazil recently reinstituted the residence program through Normative Resolution 126. Affected foreign nationals can use the resolution to apply for temporary residence at the local Federal Police office. They will receive an ID number (RNE) and will be able to acquire all other Brazilian documents allowing them to live and work legally in Brazil.

BAL Analysis: Brazilian authorities are addressing migration in the north region of Brazil, where foreign nationals often cross the border to look for economic opportunities in Brazil but are unable to legalize their migratory status because they are non-Mercosur nationals. In the spirit of the underlying purpose of Mercosur, the Brazilian authorities have decided to extend the residence benefit to these nationals.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in Brazil. For additional information, please contact brazil@bal.com.

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