Colombia implements new special permit for Venezuelan migrants

The Colombian government announced on Tuesday an initiative that seeks to legalize the guardians of Venezuelan children and adolescents who are in an irregular situation in the country through a decree, and which will later be extended to the entire Latin American population that is not in a legal situation.

This was announced by the director of Migración Colombia, Fernando García Manosalva, when referring to the Special Permit to Stay for Tutors (PEP Tutor) plan.

This permit seeks to regularize the legal representatives and guardians of more than 270,000 Venezuelan children and adolescents who have the Temporary Protection Permit (PPT).

“This decree is a special permit for stay like the previous ones that fundamentally seeks to integrate guardians, parents or custodians, that is, those people who have responsibility for minors who already have PPT in their hands and who live in Colombia,” explained García.

She added that access to this new permit provides access to the health and education system for guardians or custodians and children or adolescents under their care.

This step, García said, marks a significant advance towards the integration of the migrant population in dignified conditions within Colombian society.

The PEP Tutor’s main objective is to provide a valid identification document for legal representatives and guardians of minors who pre-registered until August 12, 2022.

This permit will allow beneficiaries to enter and leave Colombian territory and access basic rights such as health and education. It will be valid for two years, coming into effect 90 days after its publication.

Currently, pre-registration for the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelans (ETPV) is closed to adults, and is limited to children linked to the school system or the restoration of rights system.

There is a significant group of Venezuelan migrants whose children have PPT, but the parents did not apply for ETPV before August 12, 2022, the date of opening of diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

It is estimated that there are approximately 274,053 children without a registered family unit or with pending family status, explained Migración Colombia.