The Brazilian government announced Monday it would renew its special visas for Syrian refugees in the South American country.
The emergency humanitarian visas issued by the Brazilian government are about to expire, and the renewal would be valid for two years.
The decision was announced by the country’s National Committee for Refugees (CONARE). According to CONARE, such special visas differed from regular ones in that they involved less bureaucratic red tape. Syrians only have to submit proofs of their identity and nationality to obtain special visas.
Syrians can move freely within the country, and around 70 percent have settled in Sao Paulo.
Brazil has a long history of sheltering refugees and its legislation on asylum-seekers is considered very progressive.
According to CONARE, there are currently over 7,700 refugees from 81 countries living in Brazil, including 2,900 Syrians, and there are many pending visa requests, so the figure is expected to rise further.