Asylum in Brazil: Free to File, 15 Days to Appeal

What CONARE really looks for in your case

Por Lucas Ribeiro Cavalcante — OAB/CE 44.673

Your tourist stamp expires in 45 days. You crossed at Pacaraima, or landed in Guarulhos. You heard Brazil accepts refugees. That part is true. The other half, nobody told you.

The officer at the Federal Police counter does not decide your case. CONARE does. But your words at the counter still matter.

2-5 years

Wait for a first decision on individually assessed asylum cases in Brazil

✘ Mito

Myth: asylum depends on how bad your country is right now

✓ Verdade

Truth: it depends on YOUR well-founded fear of persecution

Law 9.474/1997 goes beyond the Geneva Convention. It adds a third ground from Cartagena: grave and generalised violation of human rights. That clause recognised thousands of Venezuelans.

Irregular entry is no bar

No statutory filing deadline

You must already be in Brazil

Dica

The most common way refugees lose status has nothing to do with the merits. It is travelling abroad without asking CONARE first. Always request authorisation before you leave Brazil.

What if CONARE denies my application?

You have 15 days from notification to appeal to the Ministry of Justice. Most people find out too late.

Your story deserves to be told in the language CONARE accepts. Get it right the first time.

Talk to our immigration team