Unaccompanied Minor Residence (Residência para Criança/Adolescente Desacompanhado)

The residence permit for unaccompanied or separated foreign children and adolescents is rooted in the principles of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA - Lei 8.069/1990) and the 2017 Migration Law. It was established to ensure the protection and fundamental rights of minors who arrive in Brazil without parents or legal guardians, preventing them from falling into irregular situations that could expose them to further risk. The permit provides a legal framework for their stay, ensuring they can access education, healthcare, and social services while their long-term care arrangements are resolved.

This permit is intended for foreign minors who are separated from their parents or legal guardians and are currently in Brazilian territory or at border control points. The ideal applicant is a child or adolescent in a vulnerable state requiring state intervention. The permit is distinctive because it prioritizes the minor's best interests over strict immigration control; it requires the designation of a legal guardian or the arrangement of institutional care in Brazil, ensuring the minor has a stable environment while the authorities seek a durable solution for their protection and well-being.