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Pathway

Brazil Residence for Neighboring Nationals

Brazil Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Brazil offers a two-year residence route for citizens of Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname applying inside the country. Obtaining and registering it means withdrawing a pending refugee application, so that consequence needs careful review.

Nationality
Venezuelan, Guyanese, or Surinamese
Application
Inside Brazil
Job offer required?
No

Summary

If you are a citizen of Venezuela, Guyana, or Suriname and are in Brazil, you can apply for two years of residence through this separate nationality-based process. You do not need an employer sponsor.

This is different from the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement. If you have a pending refugee application, check the consequence carefully: obtaining and registering this residence means withdrawing that application under Article 6.

Apply as a citizen of a listed neighboring country
  1. Check your citizenship Venezuela, Guyana, or Suriname.
  2. Apply inside Brazil Prepare identity, parentage, and applicable background evidence.
  3. Plan the later residence application If approved Review indefinite residence before the two-year permission expires.

Entry permission is separate; the indefinite-residence filing window is the final 90 days of the temporary permission.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

You must hold citizenship of Venezuela, Guyana, or Suriname; living in one of those countries is not enough. Apply through the Federal Police inside Brazil, and check entry permission separately.

The checklist accepts a national identity card or passport, including an expired document. Provide records identifying your parents if that information is missing. Adults need the specified declaration covering five years of criminal history. Some children and Indigenous applicants have special document arrangements.

If you are seeking refugee protection, have the effect on your pending application assessed before choosing this route. False declarations or withholding important information can lead to cancellation.

What This Route Allows

If approved, you can live in Brazil for two years and do lawful work under Brazilian rules. Indefinite residence is possible only through a later application.

What This Route Is Not

This is not automatic entry permission, immediate permanent residence, or recognition as a refugee. It does not include every South American nationality.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm your citizenship and check how this choice would affect any pending refugee application.
  2. Prepare the identity, parentage, and background documents required for your situation.
  3. Apply and register with the Federal Police.
  4. If you want indefinite residence, apply during the 90 days before your two-year permission expires, with background records and proof of how you support yourself.

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Discussed in these reports

Similar nationality based pathways in other destinations.

Sources