Brazil’s Government Issues Rules Granting Residence Permits to Cuban Doctors

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – An ordinance published by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Federal Gazette on July 29th, governs granting residence permits to Cubans who joined the Mais Médicos program in Brazil. The submission of the residence permit request in Brazilian territory must be filed with the Federal Police.

According to the ordinance, the immigrant may request the residence permit — which may be issued for an indefinite term — at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the two-year period, provided for the Brazilian authorities to complete the residence permit proceedings.

Filing for a residence permit will cause the “explicit and voluntary withdrawal of the request for acknowledgment of refugee status“.

During the period required to examine the residence permit request, applicants will be obliged to submit several documents. In addition to an identification document (or travel document), a criminal record certificate from the states in which he or she has lived in Brazil for the past five years will be required; and a past criminal record attestation from other countries in which he or she has lived.

Documentation proving the link with the Mais Médicos program will also be required, in addition to a national migration registration card (or declaration of loss) and two 3×4 photos.