Trip abroad
Leaving Brazil without observing the rules may affect one’s asylum application/refugee status and impact one’s ongoing asylum, residency or naturalization processes, along with leading to the loss of rights.
If in doubt, seek guidance before travelling!
As an asylum seeker willing to travel abroad, you must inform CONARE about your travel plans. Within a year, you may stay outside the country for only up to 90 days. If travel is not informed and/or the 90-day limit is exceeded, your asylum claim will be archived (temporarily closed) and may eventually be terminated (permanently closed). To unarchive your asylum claim, please refer to the Closure and termination of the process page.
To return to Brazil, it is necessary to enter the country through an official border point, possess a valid travel document. Before returning, you must apply for a new Brazilian visa, if needed.
Remember! The asylum protocol and DPRNM are NOT international travel documents for entry into the country.
When an asylum seeker leaves Brazil permanently, this results in the termination of the asylum application as international protection is only provided should the asylum seeker remain in the Brazilian territory.
Step-By-Step Procedure – Travel Communication for Asylum Seekers:
1️⃣ Make your registration at SEI according to the instructions in the manual.
2️⃣ On the left side, in “peticionamento”, choose the option “processo novo”, and, in the “tipo de processo”, choose “Refúgio: Autorização/Comunicação de Viagem”.
3️⃣ In “especificação”, put “Autorização/Comunicação de Viagem”.
4️⃣ Under “documentos”, click on “Pedido de Autorização/Comunicação de Viagem”.
5️⃣ A form will then open, which you must fill in in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. When finished, click on “salvar”.
* As an asylum seeker, you will need to enter your DPRNM number.
6️⃣ When saving your form, click on “peticionar” to finish your travel communication.
All guidance regarding the process is available on the Ministry of Justice website.
If you purchased your ticket without knowing that you needed a travel authorization, contact CONARE as soon as possible.
If you need support, contact the Ministry of Justice by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone (61) 2025 9734.
If you prefer, see the video step by step made by CONARE (in Portuguese). Remembering that the guidelines you must follow are those of an “asylum seeker”:
A recognized refugee can travel abroad without an official travel authorization from CONARE, provided the trip is temporary, and you carry the passport (yellow passport) issued by Brazil. Never forget to check if you need a visa to enter a certain country. Please note that although you will be traveling with a Brazilian document, the visa requirements will still depend on your nationality.
There are, however, three cases in which you must apply for an official travel authorization:
- When you travel to your country of origin;
- When you intend to travel to any destination lasting more than 12 (twelve) months;
- When you use the passport from your country of origin.
In the above cases, the travel authorization request must be made at least 60 days before the scheduled travel date. In the event of an emergency, you should contact CONARE and explain the special circumstances of your situation. Failing to request and receive a travel authorization prior to your travel may initiate the procedure of refugee status revocation.
To return to Brazil, it is necessary to enter the country through an official border point, possess a valid travel document and CRNM.
When a recognized refugee leaves Brazil permanently without an official travel authorization, including voluntary return to your country of origin or permanent settlement in another country, this results in the loss of the refugee status granted in Brazil.
Step-By-Step Procedure – Travel Authorization for Recognized Refugees:
1️⃣ Make your registration at SEI according to the instructions in the manual.
2️⃣ On the left side, in “peticionamento”, choose the option “processo novo”, and, in “tipo de processo”, choose “Refúgio: Autorização/Comunicação de Viagem”.
3️⃣ In “especificação”, put “Autorização/Comunicação de Viagem”.
4️⃣ Under “documentos”, click on “Pedido de Autorização/Comunicação de Viagem”.
5️⃣ A form will then open, which you must fill in in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. When finished, click on “salvar”.
* As a recognized refugee, you will need to enter your CRNM number.
6️⃣ Click on “escolher arquivo” and attach the scanned copy of your CRNM (front and back);
7️⃣ In “tipo de documento” select the type of document that you attached, and in “complemento do tipo de documento” write which document was chosen, even if the two fields are the same.
8️⃣ In “formato” select the option “Digitalizado” and then click “Adicionar”.
9️⃣ In “Conferência com o documento digitalizado”, choose the option of your case, for example: digitization of certified copy, simple copy, etc.
🔟 Finally, click on “peticionar”.
All guidance regarding the process is available on the Ministry of Justice website.
If you purchased your ticket without knowing that you needed a travel authorization, contact CONARE as soon as possible.
If you need support, contact the Ministry of Justice by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone (61) 2025 9734.
If you prefer, see the video step by step made by CONARE (in Portuguese). Remembering that the guidelines you must follow are those of “recognized refugee”:
As a resident holding temporary residency, you may travel abroad as long as your residency in Brazil is valid. However, prolonged absences exceeding 2 (two) years) may jeopardize the renewal of your temporary residency and/or your conversion to a permanent residency.
As a resident holding temporary residency for humanitarian purposes, absences exceeding 90 days within a year may jeopardize your conversion to a permanent residency.
To return to Brazil, it is necessary to enter the country through an official border point, possess a valid travel document and RNM.
When a temporary resident leaves Brazil permanently, this results in the loss of the temporary residency due to your abandonment of the Brazilian territory.
As a resident holding permanent residency, you have no restrictions on traveling abroad. However, prolonged absences exceeding 2 (two) years may be interpreted as your abandonment of residence in Brazil.
To return to Brazil, it is necessary to enter the country through an official border point, possess a valid travel document and RNM.
When a permanent resident leaves Brazil for good, this results in the loss of the permanent residency for an indefinite period.
For a naturalization applicant, one going through the procedure for obtaining the Brazilian nationality, travelling abroad may interrupt the counting of the residency time in Brazil required by law. Please refer to the Naturalization page for more guidance on the regulations. Within a year, you may stay outside the country for only up to 90 days. If the 90-day limit is exceeded, your naturalization application will be terminated.
To return to Brazil, it is necessary to enter the country through an official border point, possess a valid travel document and RNM.
When a naturalization applicant leaves Brazil permanently, this results in the termination of the naturalization application.
Brazilians under the age of 18 traveling abroad, alone or in the company of only one parent or guardian, must carry travel documents (identity card or passport*) and must present a travel authorization issued in accordance with Resolution nº 131/11 of the National Council of Justice and obtained from the Childhood and Youth Court of your locality.
In the above cases, it will be necessary to present the travel authorization to the Federal Police, even if the parents or guardians of the child or adolescent are present at the time of check–in with the air, sea or land transport companies.
When traveling abroad, authorization is unnecessary if the child or adolescent travels with one of the parents, expressly authorized by the other through a document with a notarized signature. The travel authorization form for minors recommended by the Federal Police, which must be completed after carefully reading Resolution No. 131/11 and have the signature authenticated by a Notary Public in your locality, can be found in the Travel of Children and Adolescents Abroad of the Federal Police.
* Issuance of the identity card is free (Law 12.687/12), for further guidance contact the Public Security Department in your area.