Arquidiocesana de SÃO PAULO Brazil is one of the many countries in the world that accepts refugees and gives them the protection they need while they cannot return safely to their countries of origin. The capital of Brazil is Brasilia, but São Paulo is the largest city of the country, with more than 11 million inhabitants and about 1,500 km2. This city was built by people from different parts of Brazil and the world. Immigrants, including refugees, SÃO PAULO participated in the massive growth of the city. That is why today the residents of São Paulo are people of diverse origins, cultures, religions, professions and social AND BRAZIL groups. For many years, São Paulo has been the Brazilian city that receives the majority of the refugees and asylum seekers FOR ASYLUM in the country. Around São Paulo there are other cities like Santo André, São SEEKERS AND Bernardo do Campo, São Caetano do Sul, Diadema and Gua- rulhos, among others. This group of cities is called “Grande REFUGEES São Paulo” (São Paulo and its metropolitan region). When you arrive in such a large and busy city, it is normal to feel disoriented and you might need help. It is even more diffi- cult if you cannot communicate in Portuguese - the language spoken by Brazilians, who for the most part do not speak any other languages. However fortunately you also find in São Paulo several points of support, which are maintained by non-governmental organi- zations or by agencies of the Brazilian Government. This GUIDE will help you find these places and get the right information on how to get help, and what you should do to take care of your asylum procedure. SERVICES GUIDE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO 1 WHAT DO YOU FIND IN THIS GUIDE? It is important for you to know that the Reference Center for Refugees, maintained by CARITAS-SP in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), is available to give you safe and free advice in São Paulo. In this GUIDE you will find the most important information about where you should go and what you should do to guarantee your rights and find support in São Paulo. This GUIDE present complementary information from two other materials also published in partnership with UNHCR, which are very important for you to have information about your rights: Booklet for Asylum Seekers in Brazil and Booklet for Refugees in Brazil. All materials can be found online, at www.caritassp.org.br. On the following pages, you will find information and maps on the subjects bellow: 2 SERVICES GUIDE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO index PART I - ABOUT US REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS................................................................................. 07 UNHCR AND CARITAS-SP................................................................................................ 07 CONARE AND FEDERAL POLICE..................................................................................... 08 PART II - THE REFERENCE CENTER FOR REFUGEES OF CARITAS-SP ADDRESS AND OTHER CONTACT DATA......................................................................... 09 MECHANISMS OF ASSISTANCE....................................................................................... 09 WORKING HOURS.............................................................................................................. 10 SERVICES.......................................................................................................................... 10 PART III - HOW TO START AND FOLLOW YOUR ASYLUM PROCEDURE IN SÃO PAULO AND HOW TO OBTAIN DOCUMENTS 1. HOW TO REQUEST ASYLUM....................................................................................... 11 STEP 1 - OBTAINING THE ASYLUM CLAIM FORM...................................................... 11 STEP 2 - FILLING IN THE ASYLUM CLAIM FORM........................................................ 11 STEP 3 - SUBMITTING THE ASYLUM CLAIM FORM..................................................... 11 STEP 4 - RECEIVING THE PROVISIONAL PROTOCOL OF ASYLUM SEEKER............. 12 2. THE INTERVIEW AT CONARE DURING THE ASYLUM PROCEDURE........................ 12 3. BE AWARE: THE PROCEDURE MAY BE CLOSED BEFORE THE DECISION................ 12 4. WHAT IF A NEW FAMILY MEMBER ARRIVES WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR A DECISION FROM CONARE?.............................................................................................. 13 5. WHAT IF YOU NEED TO TRAVEL ABROAD?................................................................ 13 6. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF CONARE HAS DECIDED YOUR ASYLUM CLAIM?................... 13 7. THE DECISION FROM CONARE MAY BE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.......................... 14 7.1 WHEN THE DECISION FROM CONARE IS POSITIVE........................................... 14 7.2 WHEN THE DECISION IS NEGATIVE..................................................................... 14 SERVICES GUIDE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO 3 8. HOW TO PRESENT THE APPEAL TO THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE............................... 14 9. LOOK AFTER YOUR RIGHTS: ALWAYS UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DATA............. 15 10. ATTENTION: YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY FOR THE PROCEDURE!............................. 15 11. ASYLUM SEEKER DOCUMENTS................................................................................ 16 11.1 THE PROVISIONAL PROTOCOL OF ASYLUM SEEKER ................................. 16 11.2 THE CPF (BRAZILIAN TAX NUMBER)............................................................ 16 11.3 THE CTPS (WORK PERMIT)............................................................................. 16 12. OTHER PROCEDURES FOR REFUGEES................................................................... 17 12.1 “I AM A REFUGEE AND I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE OUTSIDE OF mm BRAZIL - WHAT TO DO?”............................................................................................... 17 12.2 “I AM A REFUGEE AND MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARRIVED IN BRAZIL - WHAT kk SHOULD I DO?”............................................................................................................. 17 12.3 “I HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A REFUGEEE - DO I NEED TO mm KEEP MY DATA UPDATED WITHIN THE CONARE OR CONSULT ANYONE BEFORE m MAKING A TRIP ABROAD?“....................................................................................... 17 PART IV - HOW TO ACCESS SOCIAL ASSISTENCE AND INTEGRATION SERVICES IN SÃO PAULO 1. HEALTH CARE............................................................................................................... 18 1.1 SUS CARD............................................................................................................... 18 1.2 REFERRAL TO MEDICAL SPECIALISTS AND EXAMS......................................... 18 1.3 DENTISTRY.............................................................................................................. 18 1.4 PSYCHOLOGICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC SUPPORT................................................. 18 1.5 ADDRESSES........................................................................................................... 18 1.6 EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS ......................................................................... 19 1.7 COMPLEMENTARY SUPPORT GIVEN BY CARITAS-SP AND ITS PARTNERS....... 19 2. HOUSING....................................................................................................................... 19 2.1 PUBLIC SHELTERS............................................................................................... 19 2.2 RENTING CONTRACTS........................................................................................ 20 2.3 OCCUPATIONS OF EMPTY BUILDINGS............................................................. 20 3. FOOD SUPPLY................................................................................................................. 20 LOW COST MEALS............................................................................................................. 20 4. EDUCATION.................................................................................................................... 21 4.1 PORTUGUESE CLASSES..................................................................................... 21 4.2 CHILD EDUCATION – DAY CARE........................................................................... 21 4.3 BASIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND ADULT EDUCATION... 21 4.4 VOCATIONAL COURSES....................................................................................... 22 4 SERVICES GUIDE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO 4.5 UNIVERSITY COURSES....................................................................................... 22 4.6 REVALIDATION OF DIPLOMAS............................................................................. 22 5. WORK........................................................................................................................... 23 5.1 GENERAL CLARIFICATIONS: LABOR RIGHTS..................................................... 23 5.2 WHERE TO SEEK A JOB ....................................................................................... 23 6. SOCIAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS, FAMILY ALLOWANCE (BOLSA FAMÍLIA) AND MM OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT.................................................................................... 24 6.1 REGISTRATION AT CRAS: CAD ÚNICO.................................................................. 24 6.2 FAMILY ALLOWANCE (PROGRAMA BOLSA FAMÍLIA)......................................... 24 6.3 CONTINUOUS