Public Institutions

Here you will find public, governmental and state institutions that can offer help. Institutions may vary by region.

Polícia Federal (Federal Police)

🇧🇷Relevant Services:

🇧🇷Identify your situation and make an appointment with the Federal Police:

  • If you are an asylum seeker, that is, you already have the protocol number, and you need to renew your protocol:
  • If you need to renew your CRNM (National Migration Registration Card), check the procedures  by clicking here .
  • If you have recently arrived in Brazil and need to apply for asylum, check the procedures by clicking here .

Click here and find the Federal Police headquarters closest to you.

National Committee for Refugees (CONARE)

CONARE is the government Committee in charge of reviewing and deciding on all asylum requests in Brazil. He is also the authority responsible for defining the Brazilian asylum policy.

CONARE’s headquarters are located in Brasília, at the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and there are offices in São Paulo (SP), Campinas (SP) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ):

Brasília/Federal District
🇧🇷  Address: Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco T, Annex II, ground floor. CEP: 70064-900 – Brasília, DF.
🇧🇷 Service: in-person services suspended.
🇧🇷  Email: [email protected]

 São Paulo/São Paulo
🇧🇷  Address: Avenida Rio Branco, 285 – Ground floor, Centro. CEP: 01205-902 – São Paulo – SP. Close to República (red and yellow lines) and Luz (blue and yellow lines) metro stations.
🇧🇷 Opening hours : Monday to Friday , from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 15:30 . If you want to speed up your service, fill out the form: https://ee.humanitarianresponse.info/x/Hpo6xh3J.
Days when the office will be closed in 2023: São Paulo City Anniversary: Wednesday – 25/01/2023; Carnival: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 20, 21 and 22/02/2023; Holy Week: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – 05, 06 and 07/04/2023; Tiradentes Day: Friday 21/04/2023; Labor Day: Monday 01/05/2023; Corpus Christi: Thursday and Friday 08 and 09/06/2023; Juridical Games: Friday 11/08/2023; Independence of Brazil: Thursday and Friday 07 and 08/09/2023; Nossa Senhora da Aparecida Day: Thursday and Friday 12 and 13/12/2023; All Saints’ Day: Wednesday 01/11/2023; All Souls’ Day: Thursday and Friday 02 and 03/11/2023; Proclamation of the Republic: Wednesday 15/11/2023; Black Consciousness Day: Monday 20/11/2023; Justice Day: Friday 08/12/2023; Forensic recess for year-end: 20 (Wednesday) to 31/12/2023.
🇧🇷  Email: [email protected]

Campinas/Sao Paulo
🇧🇷  Address: Av. Francisco Glicério, 1269, 5th floor, Downtown. CEP: 13025-004 – Campinas, SP
🇧🇷 Service: No in-person service.
🇧🇷  Email: [email protected]

Rio de Janeiro/Rio de Janeiro
🇧🇷  Address: Rua Uruguaiana, 174, 20th floor. Metropolitan Center Building, Downtown. CEP: 20050-092 – Rio de Janeiro-RJ.
🇧🇷 Opening hours: Only on Fridays , from 10am to 4pm. Click here to see the Nucleus Service Charter.
🇧🇷  Email: [email protected]

🇧🇷  For information on family reunification , contact CONARE at [email protected]

🇧🇷  For information on travel authorization and communication , contact CONARE via email [email protected]

🇧🇷  For information on scheduling an interview , please contact CONARE by email at [email protected]

🇧🇷  For information about SISCONARE , contact CONARE by email [email protected]

🇧🇷  For information on external access to the process , contact CONARE by email at [email protected]

For more information, access the CONARE website: https://www.justica.gov.br/seus-direitos/refugio . 

Legal Assistance

In Brazil, the Public Defender’s Office is responsible for providing legal assistance to people who cannot afford such costs. Refugees and asylum seekers also have the right to receive help from the Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender’s Office is present in all Brazilian states and in most large cities; It is subdivided into State Public Defender and Union Public Defender, depending on the matter to be dealt with:

  • Defensoria Pública da União (DPU):  for dissatisfactions or questions regarding your request for asylum, documentation, retirement, the right of foreigners in Brazil or access to social benefits, or if you are a defendant in a criminal proceeding before a Federal Court involving, for example , false passports or identity documents, or in extradition or deportation proceedings.
  • State Public Defender’s Office (DPE):  for complaints or questions concerning accommodation, rent, divorce, child support, child and adolescent custody, probate, paternity or compensation issues or if you are a defendant in criminal proceedings before a State Court in cases homicide, assault, theft, fraud, rape, etc.

In addition to the Public Defender’s Office, in some Brazilian cities there are legal assistance services specialized in refugees and asylum seekers. Check out  UNHCR’s partners.

Social Assistance

Refugees and asylum seekers can join various social programs of the Brazilian government. In addition, you also have access to support from UNHCR and our partners. Below it will be clarified what assistance you can receive in Brazil, both from the government and UNHCR partners.

It is through services and projects that CRAS is able to support families, such as lectures, campaigns, events, in addition to the Integral Family Protection and Assistance Service (PAIF) and the Coexistence and Strengthening of Bonds Service ( SCFV). CRAS is also responsible for enrolling in the Single Registry for Social Programs of the Federal Government.

To find out more information about CRAS and where the closest one is to your home, visit the  website .

CREAS makes referrals to other social assistance services and to other public services. In addition, it provides legal guidance, family support, among others.

To find out more information and where the CREAS in your city or region is located, visit the  website .

List of Federal Social Programs

| Auxílio Brasil

The Aid consists of payment for families with a monthly income of up to R$210.00 per person. To gain access, families must be registered in the Single Registry for Social Programs or CadUnico.
Find out at the nearest Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) or by clicking here.

|Casa Verde Amarela

The program consists of special conditions for financing housing in urban areas for families with a gross monthly family income of up to R$8,000.00.
Inquire at a Caixa branch or by clicking here.

| Aluguel Social

The program offers a monthly amount for low-income families to pay rent. “Social Rental” is not the same in all cities, and may not be available in your city.
Go to the nearest CRAS for more information about the program.

|Projovem

Young adults aged 18 to 29 who are literate and who want to complete elementary school can receive monthly assistance to complete their studies.
Go to the CRAS closest to your residence for more information or click here.

| Tarifa Social de Energia Elétrica

This benefit grants a discount on the electricity bill of low-income families.
Learn more here. (https://www.gov.br/cidadania/pt-br/acoes-e-programas/assistencia-social/beneficios-assistenciais/tarifa-social-de-energia)

How to apply for social programs?

To enroll in the social programs mentioned above, you must be registered in the Single Registry for Social Programs (CadÚnico). For this, go to the CRAS

Safety

The public security situation in Brazil requires the adoption of some security measures to avoid being the victim of robberies and robberies, especially in larger cities. If you face any risk, dial  190 (toll free number for emergencies)  or go to the nearest police station.

In general, we recommend that you always remain vigilant and avoid risky situations. If you are the victim of a robbery, do not resist and always hand over any item that is requested.

Where to get police support?

Brazil has different types of police authorities. It’s important that you understand each one of them so you know where to turn if you need help. Be aware that most state and municipal services speak only Portuguese.

Women’s Police Station

Police stations specialized in registering and investigating crimes of violence against women . They also make referrals for forensic examinations. Some cities have Women’s Reference Centers with housing, psychological and social support, and legal counseling for  women in situations of violence . You can call the 24-hour toll-free hotline (dyke 180) for assistance or consult the list of relevant institutions on  the Secretariat for Policies for Women website .

Civil police

It primarily investigates crimes that occur within a state. Sometimes these officers may not wear uniforms.

Relevant Services:

  • Register a Police Report (BO) or Police Report (RO) if you have been the victim of a crime, or in case of theft or loss of documents;
  • Request a criminal background check in the Brazilian system.
In case of assault, theft or loss of documents, you can:
  • Go to your state’s Civil Police website;
  • Go to the nearest Civil Police Station;
  • Call the Military Police emergency number (190);
  • Seek assistance from the Municipal Guard.

Military police

It has the duty to patrol and prevent crimes. They can also arrest people and supervise traffic. They wear uniforms that vary in color and shape depending on the state.

Relevant Services:

  • Emergency Center: call 190 for emergencies related to crimes (robberies, robberies, assaults and other violence).

Municipal Guard / Metropolitan Civil Guard

Municipal authority dealing with the public safety of the city. Its main function is to protect goods, services and facilities, supporting other types of police. They wear uniforms that vary in color and shape depending on the city.

Relevant Services:

  • You can seek help from the Municipal Guard when you are in an urgent security situation and there is a guard near you.