“Many Brazilians face delays and other practical difficulties in obtaining their residence permits and the right to family reunification, for example, even if they have submitted their applications correctly and are up-to-date with their obligations” and, “while not regularized, these people face obstacles to their effective integration in Portugal”, stated Ambassador Raimundo Carreiro Silva in a written interview.
In the interview, the diplomat compared the immigration laws of the two countries and admitted that xenophobic discourse also resonates in Portugal.
“The Embassy and the General Consulates of Brazil have received information about cases of xenophobia and other types of discrimination against Brazilians” and the guidance given is for “these occurrences to be promptly communicated to the competent Portuguese authorities, so they can take appropriate legal measures.”
Furthermore, “we have reiterated our willingness to intensify joint actions with Portugal, to promote racial equality and to fight against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination in all its forms”, he explained.
“Unfortunately, the growth of anti-immigrant discourse is a trend observed in Europe and other parts of the world”, but the “Brazilian community in Portugal is, in general, well integrated,” a situation to which “linguistic and cultural proximity” and the “intense social and family ties” between the two countries contribute.
Portugal “has a significant diaspora, including in Brazil,” said the diplomat, expressing confidence that “an important part of Portuguese society is aware of how important it is to ensure the rights of their compatriots living abroad and to promote their effective integration,” he added.
Regarding the impact of stricter policies in Portugal and the effect on reciprocity relations between the two states, Raimundo Carreiro Silva highlighted that there has been a “constructive dialogue with the Portuguese government,” including, “more recently,” a “videoconference between authorities responsible for consular matters in both countries,” and a meeting is scheduled in Lisbon of the Bilateral Subcommittee on Consular Affairs and Movement of Persons, planned for later this month.
“On my part, I am making personal contacts with Portuguese authorities here in Lisbon to raise awareness from the Brazilian perspective, especially on the need to observe reciprocity of treatment, based on the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 and the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Consultation.”
Regarding discussions in the Portuguese Parliament on foreigner and nationality laws, with even more restrictive measures, the ambassador emphasized that it is “a domestic matter and a sovereign issue of the Portuguese government.”
However, he argued that some “aspects of the proposed laws increase asymmetries between the legislations of Brazil and Portugal, particularly in terms of residence permits, family reunification, and nationality acquisition.”
“In obtaining residence, Portuguese citizens can initially enter Brazil as visitors, without the need for a visa for short stays, and, while in Brazil, can apply for a residence permit with the Federal Police within 90 days,” the diplomat compared.
As for family reunification, in Brazil there is no “minimum residence time” requirement to request this procedure, while “proposed changes to Portuguese legislation would result in potentially more than three years of waiting, which could lead to prolonged family separations.”
In terms of nationality, Brazil is also much more lenient in the “naturalization of Portuguese, requiring just one year of legal residence and good moral standing to obtain Brazilian nationality.”
In Portugal, a “minimum legal residence of five years” is currently required and the proposed changes foresee an increase to seven years, in the case of Lusophone citizens.
This month, the Lisbon consulate issued a document to the Brazilian immigrant community, the largest in the country, with a series of recommendations following the implementation of the new National Unit of Foreigners and Borders (UNEF).
“Since there is still no clarity on the possibility of approaching citizens in public areas for migration checks, the Consulate-General deemed it important to recall that Portuguese legislation requires everyone to carry identification in public places, as well as to recommend carrying documentation that demonstrates the migratory connection with Portugal,” Carreiro Silva explained.
“The Brazilian community is not only the largest among foreign residents in Portugal but also very diverse, present in all regions and social segments,” the diplomat noted, highlighting, in particular, the contribution to “the production of scientific and academic knowledge.”
“Recently, the Embassy conducted a mapping of the Brazilian scientific diaspora in this country, which allowed us to better understand the reality and activities of Brazilian researchers and academics, mainly Brazilian women scientists, who constitute a significant portion of this diaspora,” he recalled.
