Colombia: Venezuelans in Colombia will have ten years to process a Resident Visa

The Temporary Protection Statute creates a complementary mechanism to the international refugee protection regime, which allows filling the existing gaps based on the migratory reality and the country’s response capacity on institutional, economic, and social matters. This measure will allow migrants and refugees to access essential services and contribute to the country’s economy.

The Statute will be valid for ten years and grant Venezuelan migrants residing in Colombia of a temporary protection in the ordinary immigration regime. Once the ten years elapse, Venezuelan migrants must acquire a resident visa to legally stay Colombia. Additionally, as a measure to discourage irregularity, those Venezuelan migrants who regularly enter the country during the first two years of the statute’s validity may benefit from it.

Finally, once the Statute is enforceable, no Special Residence License will be issued or extended. Therefore, migrants will acquire the license for temporary protection after fulfilling the requirements established in the Temporary Protection Statute.

For more information on these articles or any other issues involving labour and employment matters in Colombia, please contact Alejandro Castellanos (Partner) of López & Asociados at alejandro.castellanos@lopezasociados.net or visit www.lopezasociados.net