Special Permit to Stay for Venezuelans: everything you need to know

Special Permit of Stay (PEP) in Colombia: A Complete Guide

If you are Venezuelan and interested in living in Colombia, the Special Permit of Stay (PEP) could be the solution. This document, facilitated by Migración Colombia: Understanding Visa Types, regulates the stay of Venezuelan migrants in the country. To learn more about different Colombian visas, you can consult our guide on Learn about the types of visas in Colombia and how to apply for them.

What is the Special Permit of Stay (PEP)?

The PEP is a measure by Migración Colombia that allows Venezuelans to reside, transit, and carry out activities in Colombia.

Benefits of the PEP:

• Allows work in any legal activity. For professions, permission from the professional council or validate the title before the Ministry of Education is required.
• Facilitates access to educational institutions, from primary to higher education, during its validity period. If you are interested in continue your academic studies, the PEP is a good start.

Who can obtain the Special Permit of Stay?

To apply for the PEP, you must meet certain requirements:

1. Be a Venezuelan citizen.
2. Have entered Colombia through an authorized migratory post, with your passport stamped.
3. Have no criminal record or arrest warrants.
4. Have no current deportation or expulsion orders.

You can start the application process on the Migración Colombia website. Remember that the approval of the PEP depends on the investigation carried out by Migración Colombia. If approved, you will receive the PEP document via email, which you must carry at all times while in Colombian territory.

Does obtaining the Special Permit of Stay have a cost?

No, the PEP application process is completely free. Migración Colombia has confirmed on multiple occasions that there are no associated costs for the applicant.

Due to the situation of many Venezuelans, scams and forgeries of this document have emerged. Be careful with this type of activity to avoid being harmed.

Validity and Renewal of the PEP

The PEP may have a minimum validity of 90 days and a maximum of 2 years, as deemed necessary by Migración Colombia.

Regarding its renewal, the deadline for processing is the expiration date present in the document.

The renewal procedure is done through the Migración Colombia website; once there, find the renewal section, enter, update the requested data, and you can print your updated PEP.

In summary

The Special Permit of Stay (or PEP) is a guarantee offered by the Colombian state to help all Venezuelans live with dignity in Colombia.

It is perfect for those who want to stabilize their situation and wish, in the future, to be able to return to their country, but for the moment can be legally in Colombia.

It should be clarified that the PEP does not replace the residence visa (type R) or migration visa (type M), and it does not help with the residence time required to apply for these documents.

Lawyers specializing in Immigration procedures

At Servicio Legal, we have lawyers specializing in migration procedures. Tell us about your case, and we will help you resolve it successfully. Contact Us