They are working on a special visa for Venezuelans in Colombia

• This new permit will have a certain period of validity for Venezuelans who work or study in Colombian territory.

The director of the Association of Colombians in Venezuela, Juan Carlos Tanus, reported on October 2 that Colombia is preparing a special visa that grants an open permit so that Venezuelans can carry out any legal activity on their own or through employment or service. of services.

In addition, it will also allow Venezuelans to access the educational offer “as long as it complies with the applicable regulations on the matter” that is in the preparation phase.

“The special visitor visa is a new instrument that will give a boost to an inclusion process. First, because it is decisive in reaffirming the condition of migrants and secondly, it has a certain period of validity, it is projected to last two years,” Tanus said in an interview for Radio Union.

The director of the Association of Colombians in Venezuela assured that in his country the right to work is legally enshrined and this permit is framed in that sense.

“The government has a view to determine the vocation of migration, with this visa it is being recognized in terms of the human condition and the immigration right is articulated,” added the expert.

Photo: EFE

Difference of this visa with other permits in Colombia

According to Tanus, the main difference compared to the previous permits issued by Colombia for Venezuelans lies in the projection and scope it will have, although he clarified that it has not yet been signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but there is a draft for the granting of permits. this visa.

“Special permits, both the Special Permanence Permit (PEP) and the Temporary Protection Permit (PPT)they have a very confusing renewal process. On the other hand, with this visa the renewal can be done automatically, logically complying with minimum or basic requirements for this type of visas,” explained the director of the Association of Colombians in Venezuela.

The Colombian representative noted that this instrument, in the midst of the international situation, shows how the government of President Gustavo Petro tries to formalize and structure the presence of Venezuelans in the country.

“This type of decision can allow the economy to recompose the presence of migrants in Colombia, it will also allow them to cross to Ecuador and go to other countries because it makes it easier to move, they can even establish themselves in other economic centers such as Medellín ”Tanus pointed out.

The expert clarified that this visa is not strictly for the applicant to stay within Colombian territory, since with this immigration regularization they are also allowed to plan an exit to other countries, return and generate resettlement.

Photo: Migration Colombia

“I always say that this is politics, the mere fact of the change of government in Colombia has opened many doors in relations with Venezuela, beyond the political positions that one may have,” said Tanus.

Migratory flow of Venezuelans

Regarding the migratory flow of Venezuelans, Tanus pointed out that the figures used are from Migración Colombia and reveal a record of 2,800,000 Venezuelans.

However, the director of the Association of Colombians in Venezuela indicated that the daily flow of population that enters and leaves daily between both nations is between 37,000 and 49,000 on average.

“Flows have been maintained, there has been no indicator of decrease. However, when the figures for crossing the Darién jungle are reviewed, it is observed that there is a numerical flight of the population residing in Colombian territory,” added the representative.

In addition, Tanus pointed out that there are currently more than half a million Venezuelans who access education services in Colombian territory, according to figures from the Ministry of Education that it collects every day in schools.

Of this total of Venezuelan students in Colombia, many live on the Venezuelan side and cross daily to go to educational centers, as is also the case in the labor sector since some reside in Venezuela and work in Colombian territory.

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