The government authorized a fast-track procedure for undocumented Venezuelans to regularize their status. The procedure allows the Venezuelans to start their residence process here, and makes exceptions for regularly required documentation.
But only half of the estimated undocumented Venezuelans have applied. Enrique Garcia, director-general of the Migration Agency laments more Venezuelans have not applied.
Of more than 100,000 undocumented Venezuelans living in the Dominican Republic, only 42,952 have registered to update their status during the 30-day window authorized by the Abinader administration, says García. The procedure was open from 12 April to 12 May as established by a resolution issued by the National Migration Council (CNM). It has the backing of the Presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Relations. It also has the backing of the International Migration Organization.
The Migration Agency is now reviewing the documentation to avoid granting the temporary residence card to an immigrant who has a problem with the law or is prosecuted by organizations such as Interpol.
Those that are approved will receive a one-year stay permit that is renewable. Those that do not regularize their status are subject to deportation.
The procedure calls for the documentation to be approved by the Migration Agency and then it will be the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) that will stamp the one-year renewable non-resident visa in the passports of the Venezuelans. One the passport has the visa, the migrant then will need to return to the DGM to be issued the non-resident card. The card will enable the beneficiaries to open bank accounts, work legally and travel.
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Hoy
19 May 2021