How to Arrange Your Documentation

Being up to date with all documentation (updated) is essential to participate in the government social programs, to issue new documents and to have many rights.

A) PLACE TO ISSUE THE DOCUMENTATION IN CASE OF IMMIGRATION AND REFUGE

The first step when entering Brazil is going to the Federal Police Department/ Immigration Control, there you have to make a entry registration and then ask for a protocol of Refugee claim and/or visa application:

• Upon arrival in Brazil, the refugee claimant must complete a form at SISCONARE and attend a federal police (PF) unit to complete the claim. In the PF, migrants must request the Protocol of Refugee Claim and the provisional document of National migratory Registry (DPRNM). These two documents should be kept properly, since they guarantee migrants their rights in Brazil.

Right in João Pessoa, at the Mall "Shopping Manaíra), works a "Casa da Cidadania" (citizenship house), in which you can issue documents and can have access to some social assistance rights, there is also a Federal Police Station, which deals with passport issues and migration regulation. There works:

• - Immigration police station of the Federal Police (DELEMIG) – Shopping Manaíra;
• - Reception telephone number:08335658555 (if you are calling from abroad, add +55 before the phone number);;
• - Foreigners sector telephone number:0833565555 or 08335658556 (if you are calling from abroad, add +55 before the phone number);;
• - E-mail (foreigners sector): migracao.pb@pf.gov.br;
• - Opening hours:8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m, monday to friday;
• - Emergency contact PF - 24 hours on duty:08335658802 or 08335658803 (if you are calling from abroad, add +55 before the phone number)..

Preparing for interview when claiming for refugee:

• It is important that the refugee claimant organize their story clearly before the interview, they can even take notes to consult during the questions. The more organized this record is, and the more documents there are to prove the facts, the better. The video informs about the issues and questions that may be asked in the interview. The interview is individual and will be conducted by a CONARE representative, the eligibility officer. It is important that the mobile phone is turned off during the interview, which will be recorded. All information given in the refuge application process is confidential. Applicants may feel safe telling their story to the eligibility officer. The questions may be, for example: what was your life like in your home country? Do you belong to an ethnic community? Were you in paid employment? Did you do military service? Have you ever been arrested? When and how did you come to Brazil? Did your relatives come along? Did you suffer persecution? How did it happen and how did it affect you? The most important information is related to what the refugee experienced in their country and the reasons that led them to leave it. (MIGRAMUNDO, 2022).

Watch some orientation videos for refugees (preparation for the interview):

• In Portuguese;
• In Spanish;
• In English;
• In French;
• In Arabic.

Access the platform from UNHCR Help, it provides many information and guides the newly arrived immigrant. The website is available in several languages and is constantly updated.

This platform even has information especially for those who wants to claim refugee in Brazil coming from:

Request CPF, request RNE, submit CTPS

• After the interview, the case will be submitted to the deliberation of CONARE. Then the claimant will be notified about the decision, which is sent to the Federal Police. In case the application is accepted, the refugee will have a permission to live in Brazil for undetermined time, as long as they attend a Federal Police Unit and obtain the National migratory Registry (CRM)card. If the application has not been accepted, it is possible that the person, within 15 days, will file an appeal with the Federal Police. Depending on the case, there are other possibilities of migratory regularization available, such as the application for a residence permit in Brazil. It is important to mention that if you have obtained a refugee status, there is a possibility that such a status will be extended to relatives (issuance of a visa for “family reunion”). After four years of application, the refugee May apply for Brazilian naturalization. (MIGRAMUNDO, 2022)