Resolutions 5797 and 1272 were issued on July, 2017 creating a Special Stay Permit (herein and after "PEP") for Venezuelan citizens and establishing the procedure for its granting. A PEP holder will be authorized to exercise any legal activity or occupation in the country including those that are conducted under an employment contract.
WHAT CHANGED?
- The Special Stay Permit may be
granted only to Venezuelan citizens who meet the following
conditions:
- Being in Colombian territory on July 28, 2017.
- Having entered the national territory with a regular immigration status and through an authorized immigration border checkpoint.
- Not having national or international criminal records.
- Not having a current deportation or expulsion order.
- The PEP will not be granted to Venezuelans who entered with a border mobility card (Tarjeta de Movilidad Fronteriza).
- The PEP holder will be authorized to conduct any legal activity or occupation in the country, including those that are developed under an employment relationship.
- The PEP will be granted for a period of ninety (90) calendar days and it may be renewed automatically without filing a request, for equal periods, without exceeding a term of two (2) years. After this period, PEP holders must obtain a visa; otherwise, they will be in an irregular status.
- The PEP may not be extended to the discretion of the immigration authority when there is an improper use of the permit, when there have been an infraction of the legal system, when the foreigner exist Colombia and stays abroad for a term longer than ninety (90) calendar days, and at the discretion of the authority when deemed appropriate.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THIS CHANGE?
- The PEP holder will be authorized to conduct any legal activity or occupation in the country, including those that are developed under an employment relationship.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED?
- The immigration authorities will issue the PEP from August 3, 2017 until October 31, 2017.
- The PEP does not replace the passport as a travel document. It must be presented (if required) to the Colombian authorities along with the passport or the national identity document and it will be used as an identification of Venezuelan citizens in the national territory.
- Individuals or companies that hire or receive a PEP holder are required to file reports about the foreigner's activities in Colombia to the immigration authority through the SIRE system.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
