Stateless Person Residence (Residência para Apátrida)

The residence permit for stateless persons is a specialized legal mechanism established under Brazil's Migration Law (Law No. 13.445/2017) and aligned with the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. It was created to address the precarious situation of individuals who are not recognized as nationals by any state under the operation of its law. By providing a clear, formal pathway to legal residency, this permit fills a critical human rights gap, ensuring that stateless individuals living in Brazil are not left in a legal limbo but are instead integrated into society with recognized rights and protections.

This permit is for individuals who have been officially recognized as stateless by the Brazilian state. It is ideal for those who have been marginalized or excluded from citizenship in their countries of origin and have made Brazil their home. The status is highly distinctive because it removes the bureaucratic hurdles that stateless people typically face, such as the inability to provide a passport or birth certificate from a home country. Once recognized, these individuals gain the right to obtain a National Migration Registration Card (CRNM), which allows them to work, access social services, and eventually pursue a path toward naturalization.