Information for the Afghan population

Attention: There is no resettlement program for other countries from Brazil. UNHCR Brazil does not relocate refugees in Brazil to other countries. If you want to go to another country, you must find the appropriate consular authority yourself.

Once in Brazil, people who benefit from a humanitarian visa have the right to request recognition of refugee status or temporary residence for humanitarian reception purposes.

You can seek support from government institutions and civil society organizations that are partners of UNHCR for help with your documentation, as well as free legal services, psychosocial care and Portuguese classes, such as:

• Archdiocesan Caritas of São Paulo – Legal, social and psychosocial assistance, Portuguese classes and job placement.
  • WhatsApp service: +55 11 97630-8023
  • Direction:
• Missão Paz – Legal, social and psychosocial assistance, Portuguese classes and job placement.
  • Scheduling by Whatsapp: +55 11 3340-6950
  • Address: Rua Glicério, 225 – Liberdade
• Reference and Assistance Center for Immigrants (CRAI) – Legal, social and psychosocial assistance.
  • Telephone and face-to-face appointments: +55 11 2361-3780 / +55 11 2361-5069
  • Address: Rua Major Diogo, 834 – Bella Vista
• Immigrant Integration and Citizenship Center (CIC) – Legal assistance, access to rights and courses.
  • Telephone and Whatsapp: +55 11 3115-2048
  • Address: Rua Barra Funda, 1020 – Santa Cecília

For referrals to UNHCR partner organizations elsewhere, click here.

1 – How to apply for a humanitarian visa for Brazil?
The humanitarian visa must be requested at the following Brazilian embassies or consulates: Islamabad in Pakistan, Moscow in Russia, Ankara in Turkey, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Tehran in Iran or Doha in Qatar. Brazil does not have a consular representation in Afghanistan.

2 – What documents are required to apply for a humanitarian visa?
The required documents, according to Interministerial Ordinance 24, dated September 3, 2021, are: i) valid travel document, that is, passport within the validity period; ii) completed visa application form, which can be obtained by contacting the embassy or consulate directly; iii) proof of the means of transportation to enter Brazilian territory, that is, plane tickets; and iv) a criminal record certificate issued by Afghanistan or, if it is impossible to obtain it, a declaration, under the penalties of the law, of the absence of a criminal record in any country. Individual cases will be analyzed exceptionally by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the absence of one or more of the documents described above.

3 – Does Brazil provide any type of support for the purchase of air tickets?
There is no type of help from the Brazilian government for the purchase of tickets. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Afghan citizen to make his airfare to Brazil viable.

4 – Upon arrival in Brazilian territory, should the Afghan national seek the Federal Police?
The Afghan national who arrives in Brazil with a visa for humanitarian purposes must go to the Federal Police within a maximum period of 90 days after his entry. In case of difficulties, you can seek the support of one of UNHCR Brazil’s partner organizations, which can be identified by clicking here .

5 – Upon arrival in Brazilian territory, can an Afghan national request recognition of refugee status or a residence permit?
Yes. The Afghan, upon arrival in Brazilian territory, can apply for refugee status. For more information on the process, click here. Afghan applicants who meet certain criteria can be recognized as refugees through a streamlined process without the need for an eligibility interview. If you choose not to apply for recognition of refugee status, the Afghan can apply for temporary residence for the purpose of humanitarian reception, with an initial validity of two years and, subsequently, permanent residence. See the fact sheet below for more information on the differences between refugees and migrants.

6 – When I arrive in Brazil, will you be offered some kind of translator or interpreter for Afghan citizens?
No. The Brazilian government does not offer translation or interpretation assistance. In case of difficulties and to seek Portuguese classes, the Afghan citizen can seek support from one of UNHCR’s partner organizations by clicking here .

7 – Is there any specific financial support for Afghan citizens?
Brazil does not offer any specific financial support to Afghans. However, refugees and migrants of any nationality can enjoy the social benefits offered by the government, such as Auxílio Brasil. For more information on how to apply for social programs in Brazil, click here .

8 – Is there any specific housing support for Afghan citizens?
There is no specific housing support for Afghans. However, they can request shelter in the shelters present in the cities where they are. It is important to note that these options are temporary, often shared and/or divided by profiles (for example, women’s hostel, men’s hostel, family hostel). In general, there are few homestay options. That is, there is the possibility that a family made up of men and women will be divided to obtain temporary shelter. For more information on how to obtain shelter, click here or search for one of UNHCR Brazil’s partner organizations.

9 – What documents are Afghan citizens entitled to in Brazil?
Refugees recognized in Brazil are entitled to receive the National Migration Registry Card (CRNM), the Labor and Social Security Card (CTPS), the Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF) and a travel document (yellow passport).

Refugee status applicants have the right to obtain the Provisional Protocol (valid for one year, extendable until the refugee status application process is analyzed and decided by the National Committee for Refugees), the Provisional National Registration Document of Migration (DPNM), the Labor and Social Certificate of Social Security (CTPS) and the Registry of Individual Taxpayers (CPF).

Afghan citizens who have applied for a residence permit for humanitarian purposes are entitled to the temporary National Migration Registration Card (CRNM), the Individual Taxpayer Registration (CPF) and the Labor and Social Security Card (CTPS).

To find out how to obtain each document, click here .

10 – Does it cost anything to issue a visa for humanitarian reception purposes for Afghan citizens?
According to the provisions of Interministerial Ordinance 24 , of September 3, 2021, the issuance of a visa for the purposes of humanitarian reception for Afghans is free.

11 – Can Afghan citizens work in Brazil?
Yes, Afghan citizens can fully work in Brazil. It is important to have all the necessary documents to carry out a professional activity, such as the Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF), Work and Social Security Card (CTPS, whose document is digital) and Provisional Document of the National Registry of Migration (DPRNM) o Provisional Asylum Request Protocol o National Migration Registry Card (CRNM). For more information on how to find work in Brazil, click here.

12 – Can Afghan citizens study in Brazil, in addition to revalidating their diplomas from Afghanistan?
Yes, Afghan citizens can access basic, secondary, technological and higher education in Brazil like any other Brazilian, refugee or migrant. In addition, it is possible to revalidate the title obtained in the country of origin to practice your profession. This is a procedure that must be done with public universities, with variable costs and deadlines. Some universities have specific revalidation fee waivers for refugees. For more information on these topics, click here.

13 – How can an Afghan citizen access the health system in Brazil?
All refugees and migrants, including Afghans, can use Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), which has universal access and is completely free. To do so, simply issue your National Health Card, also called SUS Card, at any public health unit or online . For more information on how to access SUS, click here .

14 – Can Afghans get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Brazil? Does it cost anything to take it?
Yes, people from Afghanistan can and UNHCR Brazil strongly recommends that they get vaccinated against COVID-19, free of charge, at any basic public health unit in Brazil. For more information on where to get the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

If the information you are looking for is not found in the questions and answers above, please navigate through the HELP Platform tabs. If you still can’t find the answer you want, contact us by clicking here.

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