More than 300 thousand Venezuelans have a new special permission to stay

The director of Migration Colombia, Christian Krüger, confirmed that since Thursday 27 more than 300,000 Venezuelans who entered legally to Colombia, as beneficiaries of the new Special Permit of Permanence.

As he explained, these are Venezuelan citizens who entered the Colombian territory until December 17, for a migratory control post, stamping their passport.

Currently they are in the country because they are still in the times of the law granted or because the time of permanence has been fulfilled, but it was decided to remain in the national territory.

As confirmed the official, “the PEP is part of the provisions by the National Government in order to maintain and preserve internal and social order, prevent labor exploitation, ensure respect for the human dignity of Venezuelans and ensure the National security “.

“This allows us to maintain the orderly and safe migration that our country and the region needs. It is a measure that not only seeks the hand in the Venezuelan people, but also in the active life of our country, “he said.

This new version of the PEP will allow these citizens to access state services such as work, health, education and access to job opportunities.

Within the requirements are located in the Colombian territory before December 17, 2018, entered the authorized and authorized immigration control post, there is no judicial record and there are no deportation or expulsion measures.

The special permit will be granted with a 90 day surveillance, extendable up to 2 years.

With information from Radio Caracol.