Responses to Information Requests

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Overview

According to sources, as ongoing crisis drives emigration from Venezuela, Colombia hosts the highest number of Venezuelan nationals outside of Venezuela itself (Colombia One 2024-04-29; Netherlands 2024-06-24, 103). Sources indicate that in 2021, the Colombian government introduced the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants, with a validity of 10 years, under the Temporary Protection System (Estatuto Temporal de Protección para Migrantes Venezolanos Bajo Régimen de Protección Temporal) (Arroyave 2023-06-16; Colombia [2021a], 1, 4; Netherlands 2024-06-24, 104). The government introduced the statute to identify and regularize the undocumented population (Arroyave 2023-06-16).

Sources report that 2 million Venezuelan nationals in Colombia have temporary protection status (Freedom House 2025-02-26, Sec. F4) or regularized migratory status (Amnesty International 2025-04-28, 136). Migración Colombia, Colombia's immigration authority under the Ministry of External Affairs, provides the following statistics on Venezuelan immigrants residing in Colombia:

	December 2025
Total	2,845,187
Venezuelans with regular status, holding either a valid entry and stay permit (Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia, PIP) or a foreigner identification card (cédula de extranjería)	40,666
Venezuelans regularized with a Temporary Protection Permit (Permiso por Protección Temporal, PPT)	1,959,824
Venezuelans in process of regularization through PPT	323,425
Venezuelans with irregular status	521,272

(Colombia 2026-02-04)

According to international immigration law firm Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP (Fragomen n.d.), Migración Colombia is raising its "scrutiny and enforcement" of entry requirements into the country, particularly for Venezuelan nationals (2025-02-28). The source reports that Migración Colombia sent out a reminder to airline carriers about the "strict enforcement of entry requirements for Venezuelan nationals traveling to Colombia by air" (Fragomen 2025-02-28). It stated that Venezuelan nationals must have one of the following:

• a return or onward travel ticket and proof of "sufficient funds (such as bank statements, cash or credit cards) for their trip";
• a Colombian visa valid for more than 6 months;
• a PPT (Fragomen 2025-02-28).
  
  

The law firm adds that persons who have been "deported, expelled, or declared inadmissible in another country" may be blocked from entering Colombia (Fragomen 2025-02-28).

According to Amnesty International, the NGO Colombia Diversa [1] stated that there is no statistical data on LGBTI Venezuelan migrants in Colombia (2025-04-28, 136). It added that transgender Venezuelans "faced significant obstacles to access regularization programmes using their chosen identity names and gender" (Amnesty International 2025-04-28, 136).

2. Expired Venezuelan Passport

Sources report that in 2021, Colombia began accepting entry into its territory of Venezuelan nationals with expired passports (Colombia One 2024-04-29; EY 2021-06-25, 1). Sources dated 2024 and 2025 indicate that Venezuelan nationals can continue to use expired passports for this purpose (Colombia One 2024-04-29; Fragomen 2025-02-28), including those that have been expired for up to 10 years (Fragomen 2025-02-28). According to Ernst & Young (EY) [2], in the same year, the Colombian government accepted expired Venezuelan passports to apply for "all administrative procedures in Colombia," such as work visas and a PPT (2021-06-25, 1).

Migración Colombia indicates that the Temporary Protection Statute and its corresponding identity document, the PPT, were implemented through Decree 216 of 2021 (Decreto 216 de 2021) (Colombia 2026-02-09). Decree 216 of 2021 provides the following:

[translation]

Article 8. Requirements for being included in the Registry. In order to be included in the Registry, a Venezuelan migrant must meet the following requirements:

…

3. They must present their identification document, whether valid or expired, which may be:

a. For adults:

1. Passport
2. Venezuelan Identity Card
3. Birth Certificate
4. Special Stay Permit (Permiso Especial de Permanencia, PEP)

…

(Colombia 2021b)

According to Fragomen, however, Venezuelan nationals "cannot use a Venezuelan identity card as a travel document to enter Colombia" (2025-02-28).

3. Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelans

Decree 216 of 2021 indicates the following:

[translation]

Article 1. Objective. The purpose of this decree is to establish the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants under the Temporary Protection System, which is composed of the Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants (Registro Único de Migrantes Venezolanos) and the [PPT].

Article 2. Validity of the Statute. The Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants under the Temporary Protection System shall be valid for ten (10) years.

Paragraph. The National Government may extend or terminate the effects of the Statute at any time, through the use of its discretionary powers in matters related to foreign relations.

Article 3. Definition. The Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants under the Temporary Protection System is a legal mechanism for temporary protection benefiting those in the Venezuelan migrant population who meet the characteristics set forth in Article 4 of this Decree; its goal is to register the information of those in this migrant population in order to subsequently grant the benefit of temporary legalization to those who meet the requirements set forth in Article 12 of this Decree, notwithstanding the discretionary power vested in the National Government in matters relating to foreign affairs.

Article 4. Scope of application. The Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants under the Temporary Protection System applies to Venezuelan migrants who wish to stay temporarily within the national territory, and who meet any of the following conditions:

1. Those who are in Colombian territory lawfully as holders of a valid Entry and Stay Permit, Temporary Stay Permit (Permiso Temporal de Permanencia, PTP), or Special Stay Permit, regardless of the stage of issuance, including the PEPFF [Special Stay Permit for the Promotion of Formalization (Permiso Especial de Permanancia para el Fomento de la Formalización)].
2. Those who are in Colombian territory lawfully as holders of a SC-2 Safe Conduct pass, and are in the application process for recognition of refugee status.
3. Those who are in Colombian territory unlawfully as of January 31, 2021.
4. Those who enter Colombian territory lawfully through the respective legally authorized Migratory Control Station, complying with the requirements established in immigration regulations, during the first two (2) years of the validity of this Statute.

Paragraph 1. The National Government may extend or terminate the term referred to in paragraph 4 of this article, by virtue of the discretionary power it has in matters relating to foreign affairs.

Paragraph 2. Venezuelan migrants who meet the conditions contained in paragraph 3 of this article must provide a summary, and suitable proof of, their stay within the national territory, under the terms and mechanisms established by the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia (Unidad Administrativa Especial Migración Colombia) through an administrative act.

Paragraph 3. Children and adolescents who enter the Administrative Process for the Restoration of Rights (Proceso Administrativo de Restablecimiento de Derechos, PARD) or the Adolescent Criminal Responsibility System (Sistema de Responsabilidad Penal Adolescente, SRPA) shall be considered to meet the requirements under the current application framework referred to in this article throughout the entire validity of the Statute. (Colombia 2021b)

According to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Venezuelans in Colombia are required to register with the Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants in order to apply for a PPT (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 104). However, Freedom House indicates that the period to sign up for "full legal temporary status" for Venezuelans in Colombia "ended in 2021" for those who entered irregularly, and in November 2023 for those who crossed the border at an official entry point (2025-02-26, Sec. F4). Similarly, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that the registration periods for Venezuelan migrants and refugees to obtain a PPT ended on 28 May 2022 for those who entered Colombia regularly and irregularly, prior to 31 January 2021 (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 104). Venezuelans who crossed at an official border crossing point between 29 May 2021 and 28 May 2023 had until 24 November 2023 to apply for a PPT (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 104).

Sources report that Venezuelan migrants who crossed the border after the periods of eligibility to register under the Temporary Protection Statute and obtain a PPT can now only regularize their status in Colombia by applying for a visa or for refugee protection (Arroyave 2023-06-16; Netherlands 2024-06-24, 104). According to the same sources, applying for a visa in Colombia requires a passport (Arroyave 2023-06-16; Netherlands 2024-06-24, 105). According to a confidential source interviewed in January 2024 by the Netherlands, "many Venezuelans" in Colombia do not have a passport (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 105). Sources report that a Venezuelan passport is difficult to obtain and renew due to the relatively high associated costs (Arroyave 2023-06-16; Colombia One 2024-04-29). For further information on the availability of the Venezuelan passport, including obstacles to obtaining or renewing a passport, see Response to Information Request VEN202520 of March 2026.

The Netherlands reports that only children and adolescents may continue to apply for a PPT until the end of the Temporary Protection Statute's 10-year validity period, 30 May 2031 (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 104). Migración Colombia's website similarly indicates that registration with the Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants is currently only open to those under 18 years of age (Colombia 2026-02-09).

According to the Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) [3], the Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants was reopened until 30 January 2026 to allow for the registration of Venezuelan migrants who did not have the chance to register for temporary protection status previously "due to force majeure" (2025-07-16, 60).

According to sources, Venezuelan nationals with a PPT can access health and education services as well as employment (Arroyave 2023-06-16; Netherlands 2024-06-24, 105). However, Freedom House reports that in addition to experiencing "stigmatization" and "discrimination" in Colombia, Venezuelan nationals contend with a "lack of access to services" (2025-02-26, Sec. F4). According to confidential sources interviewed by the Netherlands in January and February 2024, the PPT is often not recognized by the "commercial and financial sectors, or even by government agencies" (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 105). Still citing confidential sources, the Dutch report states that this leads to restricted access to formal employment, education and health care for Venezuelans with a PPT or refugee status (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 105). Public and confidential sources cited in the same report added that

the situation for Venezuelans had worsened since [President Gustavo] Petro took office [in August 2022]. For example, many Venezuelans could not renew their residence permits or status, and others who were new to Colombia could not formalise their status. As a result, they either remained in Colombia illegally or returned to Venezuela. According to some sources, the cause was Petro's desire to promote the return of Venezuelans (whether voluntary or involuntary). (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 105).

3.1. Requirements and Procedures to Apply

Decree 216 of 2021 provides the following:

[translation]

PART II

SINGLE REGISTRY OF VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS

Article 5. Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants. The Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants shall be administered by the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia.

...

Paragraph 2. The Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants shall apply on a mandatory basis to all Venezuelan nationals who meet the conditions outlined in Article 4 of this Statute.

...

Article 8. Requirements for being included in the Registry. In order to be included in the Registry, a Venezuelan migrant must meet the following requirements:

1. They must meet any of the conditions set forth in Article 4 of this Statute.
2. They must be within the national territory.
3. They must present their identification document, whether valid or expired, which may be:
   
   1. For adults:
      
      1. Passport
      2. Venezuelan Identity Card
      3. Birth Certificate
      4. Special Stay Permit
   2. For minors:
      
      1. Passport
      2. Birth certificate
      3. Venezuelan Identity Card
      4. Special Stay Permit
4. They must submit an express statement of their intent to remain temporarily in Colombia, in accordance with the terms established by administrative act through the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia.
5. They must authorize the collection of their personal, demographic, and biometric information.

...

PART III

TEMPORARY PROTECTION PERMIT (PPT)

...

Article 11. Legal nature of the [PPT]. This permit is a mechanism for migratory regularization as well as an identification document, which authorizes Venezuelan migrants to remain in the national territory under special conditions for migratory regularization, and provides the holder with access to any legal activity or occupation within the country during its validity, including those corresponding to an employment relationship or contract, notwithstanding their compliance with the requirements established in the Colombian legal system for the exercise of the regulated activities.

Paragraph 1. The [PPT], as outlined in this Statute, shall allow the identified Venezuelan migrant to provide proof of their stay in Colombia for the purpose of meeting the time required to apply for a Type R Visa, under the terms and conditions established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through an administrative act.

Paragraph 2. Holders of a valid Special Stay Permit on the day this Statute enters into effect may use this permit as proof of their stay in Colombia for the purpose of meeting the time required to apply for a Type R Visa, under the terms and conditions established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through an administrative act.

Paragraph 3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall proceed with implementation of the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, by means of an administrative act, within a year following the entry into force of this Statute.

Article 12. Requirements for granting of the [PPT]. Any Venezuelan migrant who meets the following requirements may apply for the [PPT]:

1. They must be included in the Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants.
2. They must not have a criminal record, annotations, administrative sanctions, or judicial proceedings in progress in Colombia or abroad.
3. They must not to have any ongoing administrative immigration investigations.
4. They must not have any expulsion, deportation, or economic sanction(s) in force against them.
5. They must have no convictions for intentional crimes.
6. They must not have been recognized as a refugee or have obtained asylum in another country.
7. They must not have a current application for international protection in another country, unless it has been denied.

Paragraph 1. Children and adolescents who are in the Administrative Process for the Restoration of Rights or in the Adolescent Criminal Responsibility System are exempted from complying with the requirements set forth in paragraphs 2 and 5 of this article.

Paragraph 2. Compliance with all the requirements established for the [PPT] is not a guarantee that it will be granted to the applicant, which is at the discretion of the State of Colombia through the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia as an immigration authority for surveillance, immigration control, and foreigners' affairs.

...

Paragraph. The issuance of the [PPT] outlined in this article is not equivalent to the recognition of refugee status nor does it imply the granting of asylum.

Article 14. Validity of the permit. The [PPT] shall be valid until the date corresponding to the last day on which the present Statute is in force and shall not be extendable, unless the National Government decides to extend the permit at its own discretion.

Paragraph 1. The issuance of any type of visa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to any Venezuelan migrant shall void the [PPT] and lead to its automatic cancellation by the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia.

Paragraph 2. Once the [PPT] becomes void, it shall be destroyed in accordance with the procedures established by the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia for such purpose.

Article 15. Cancellation. The immigration body may cancel the [PPT] when one or more of the following events occur:

1. If it is discovered that there is any record of violations of the Colombian legal system, whether they occurred before or after the granting of the permit, by virtue of subsequent reports made by national and international authorities.
2. If it is discovered that any infractions of the immigration rules have been incurred after the permit has been granted.
3. If it is discovered that the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia considers the presence of the foreign national in question within the national territory to be undesirable or to represent a risk to national security.
4. If it is discovered that the holder of the [PPT] is absent from the national territory for a period of more than one hundred and eighty (180) continuous calendar days.
5. If, based on information from national or foreign authorities, the permanent stay of the foreign national in question is considered undesirable for national or citizen security.
6. If any falsehoods or inconsistencies are discovered based upon which the beneficiary accessed a [PPT], notwithstanding the administrative and criminal actions that may be applicable.

Paragraph. Cancellation of the [PPT] shall be carried out by means of an administrative act against which no appeal may be filed, notwithstanding any applicable administrative or judicial actions.

Article 16. Concurrence of permits. Any Venezuelan citizen who holds a [PPT] may not hold any other type of permit granted by the Special Administrative Immigration Unit of Colombia or visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the case that any individual holds concurrent permits, including the safe conduct permit (SC-2) granted to applicants for the recognition of refugee status, the immigration authority will automatically cancel any/all permit(s) except for the [PPT].

In the case of a concurrent visa and [PPT], the latter will be automatically cancelled. (Colombia 2021b)

According to Migración Colombia, registration with the Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants begins with completing an online form and is followed by an in-person appointment at the nearest immigration office (Colombia 2026-02-09). Migración Colombia's timeline for processing a PPT application is 90 calendar days (Colombia 2026-02-09).

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that an individual whose PPT was cancelled can once again apply for a visa or for asylum in Colombia; however, a confidential source stated in February 2024 that "these procedures do not guarantee that Venezuelan citizens will be allowed to reside in Colombia again" (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 106). The Dutch report adds that according to the confidential source, the cancellation of a PPT due to absence from Colombia for over 180 days, "is not subject to appeal" (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 106). Citing a confidential source interviewed in February 2024, the report notes that

an individual who has left Colombia and who is in possession of an expired residence permit is not automatically eligible for a new residence permit. Individuals whose residence permits have been cancelled can apply for a visa or try to obtain refugee status through an asylum procedure. (Netherlands 2024-06-24, 106)

3.1.1. From Canada

According to an online guide on temporary protection status, published on the Colombian government's website, to register in the Single Registry of Venezuelan Migrants, applicants must "[b]e in Colombia" (Colombia [2021a], 9).

Decree 216 of 2021 provides the following:

[translation]

Article 8. Requirements for being included in the Registry. In order to be included in the Registry, a Venezuelan migrant must meet the following requirements:

…

2. They must be within the national territory.

… (Colombia 2021b)

4. Special Stay Permit for Legal Representatives and Guardians of Children and Adolescents (Permiso Especial de Permanencia para representantes legales o custodios de niñas, niños y adolescents, PEP-TUTOR)

According to sources, in 2024 Colombia introduced a new permit aimed at individuals responsible for Venezuelan minors who have a PPT (Freedom House 2025-02-26, Sec. F4; Colombia 2024-09-27).

The information in the next 2 paragraphs was provided by an online guide to PEP-TUTOR published by Migración Colombia:

PEP-TUTOR is an identity document that allows Venezuelan migrants who are the [translation] "legal representative or guardian of children and adolescents" who possessed a valid PPT as of 31 December 2023, to regularize their own status and access services. Additional criteria for eligibility are listed as follows:

• No criminal record or final judgments in Colombia or abroad, and no administrative sanctions, other than immigration-related administrative offences;
• No current economic sanctions or expulsion or deportation orders against them;
• Not in possession of a PPT or a valid visa "of any class or category."
  
  

The application for a PEP-TUTOR begins online through the Migración Colombia portal, followed by an in-person appointment, submission of documents, and a 30-day processing period. If the application is accepted by Migración Colombia, the applicant will be required to pay a fee of US$65. Following this, Migración Colombia may take up to 90 days to issue the physical identity document. Applications for a PEP-TUTOR may be submitted until 30 April 2026, and the permit will be valid until 30 May 2031 without possibility of extension (Colombia [2025], 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Colombia Diversa is an NGO that does research, advocacy, and litigation in defense of the rights of the LGBTQ+ population in Colombia (Colombia Diversa n.d.).^[back]

[2] Ernst & Young (EY) is an international firm operating in "over 150 countries" which specializes in assurance, consultation, law, strategy, and tax services, among other areas (EY 2021-06-25, 2).^[back]

[3] The Inter-agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants (R4V) is made up of "over 200 organizations" including UN agencies, civil society, faith-based organizations, and NGOs "that coordinate their efforts under Venezuela's Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) in 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean" (R4V n.d.).^[back]

References

Amnesty International. 2025-04-28. "Colombia." The State of the World's Human Rights: April 2025. [Accessed 2026-04-17]

Arroyave, Lina. 2023-06-16. "Un futuro incierto para la regularización migratoria en Colombia." Dejusticia. [Accessed 2026-02-17]

Colombia. 2026-02-09. Migración Colombia. "Permiso por protección temporal – PPT." [Accessed 2026-02-13]

Colombia. 2026-02-04. Migración Colombia. "Migrantes venezolanas(os) en Colombia." [Accessed 2026-02-10]

Colombia. [2025]. ABC del trámite del Permiso Especial para representantes legales o custodios (PEP-Tutor). [Accessed 2026-02-17]

Colombia. 2024-09-27. Cancillería. "El Gobierno nacional expidió el decreto que establece el Permiso Especial de Permanencia para representantes o custodios de menores de edad venezolanos - PEP-TUTOR." [Accessed 2026-02-17]

Colombia. [2021a]. Cancillería. ABC Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelan Migrants. [Accessed 2026-02-09]

Colombia. 2021b. Decreto 216 de 2021. Excerpts translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 2026-02-09]

Colombia Diversa. N.d. "Who Are We?" [Accessed 2026-02-20]

Colombia One. 2024-04-29. Josep Freixes. "Colombia Clarifies, Will Not Require Valid Passport for Venezuelans." [Accessed 2026-02-09]

Ernst & Young LLP (EY). 2021-06-25. "Colombia." Mobility: Immigration Alert. [Accessed 2026-02-09]

Fragomen. 2025-02-28. "Colombia: Stricter Enforcement of Entry Requirements for Venezuelan Nationals." [Accessed 2026-02-09]

Fragomen. N.d. "About Fragomen." [Accessed 2026-02-10]

Freedom House. 2025-02-26. "Colombia." Freedom in the World 2025. [Accessed 2026-02-17]

Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V). 2025-07-16. End-Year Report 2024. [Accessed 2026-02-12]

Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V). N.d. Homepage. [Accessed 2026-02-27]

Netherlands. 2024-06-24. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. General Country of Origin Information Report on Colombia. [Accessed 2026-02-09]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources, including: Colombia – Embassy in Ottawa.

Internet sites, including: Associated Press; Caracol Televisión; Colombia – Embassy in Ottawa, Ministerio de Justicia y del Derecho; El Diario; EU – EU Agency for Asylum; Fundación Paz y Reconciliación; Human Rights Watch; Infobae; Instituto de estudios para el desarrollo y la paz; Migration Policy Institute; Organization of American States – Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; Refugee Survey Quarterly; Reuters; Semana; Transparency International; UN – Network on Migration, ReliefWeb, UNHCR.