UNHCR in Brazil
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to safeguard the rights and well-being of asylum-seekers, refugees, stateless people, internally displaced people and returnees (those people who decide to return to their countries after fleeing from there). UNHCR has operations in more than 130 countries.
The 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is the key legal document that forms the basis of our work. Ratified by 145 State parties, it defines the term ‘refugees’, outlining their rights, as well as the legal obligations of States to protect them.
Brazil is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and incorporated the extended refugee definition of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration in its national legal framework (Law 9.474/1997). Moreover, Law 13.445/2017 establishes complementary forms of legal stay in Brazil for refugees, including on humanitarian grounds – particularly applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria and Ukraine. The Government of Brazil, therefore, has the responsibility to process asylum claims to decide whether somebody can be recognized as refugee or to grant subsidiary protection status in Brazil.
* Note: For more information on difference between refugee and migrant status in Brazil, please visit the Differences between refugee status and residence permit page.
UNHCR’s role in Brazil
UNHCR works in close coordination with public authorities, UN agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, academia, and development actors to enable access to basic rights and favorable conditions for refugee socio-economic inclusion.
In this context, UNHCR is supporting the State to develop comprehensive national and local policies to receive, protect and integrate refugees and other forcibly displaced people. UNHCR provides protection to refugees countrywide, ensuring the identification and response to those with specific needs. Additionally, UNHCR strengthens the participation of refugees in decision-making spaces. In Brazil, UNHCR has offices in Pacaraima, Boa Vista, Manaus, Belém, Brasília, São Paulo and Porto Alegre. More information about the scope of action of UNHCR in Brazil can be found on its website and social media channels: Facebook, Instagram and X.
UNHCR in Brazil does not support with the following topics;
• Is not involved in the refugee status determination process, nor register asylum-seekers and/or refugees, nor issue refugee documents. The Government of Brazil is responsible for these procedures. For more information, please visit the Asylum claim page.
• Does not provide material assistance to people who wish to leave their home countries, nor to people who wish to leave Brazil.
• Does not receive nor process resettlement applications (to Brazil or to other countries). For more information, please visit the Resettlement page.
* Note: For more information of available services and assistance in Brazil, please visit the Where to find help page.
Contact UNHCR Brazil
Should you not find the needed information on this website, please contact us through the Contact us form. For matters in specific regions, please reach out to our UNHCR offices.
Should you have any concern or suspicions about possible sexual misconduct, exploitation and abuse by a UNHCR staff member, UN staff member or any person with a link to the UN, please consult the UNHCR complaints mechanism.