On Friday (October 26), the Official Federal Gazette published new rules from the Ministry of Justice that define how the application for permanent residence in Brazil should be made by refugees from Angola and Liberia. The application is necessary since the Ministry of Justice has suspended the refugee status of the two groups, under the guidance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as the conflicts recognized as posing a risk have ended in both countries.

With permanent residency, Angolans and Liberians who were in this situation will be able to legally remain in Brazil. The foreigners have 90 days to apply for registration with the Federal Police. They need to deliver a notarized statement that they are not subjects of criminal prosecution or police investigations and have no previous criminal conviction against them in Brazil and abroad.

To obtain permission to remain in Brazil, the refugee must also fall into one of the following categories: have lived in the country for at least four years, be employed by an institution registered with the Ministry of Labor, have qualifications recognized by an authority in the relevant area or have an established business with equity. Children under 18 must present themselves accompanied by a parent.

According to the Ministry, 1,688 Angolans and 258 Liberians now live in Brazil. The country is home to 4,656 refugees, most of whom are from the African continent.

01 November 2012