Temporary Protection Status in Colombia, a journey to regularisation

This photo series details the phases comprising the process to obtain a Temporary Protection Status in Colombia, which in this case concluded with a touching moment in the life of a Venezuelan refugee.

18 Julio 2022

Yohana is interviewed as part of the pre-registration process to regularize her status at a City Hall's Local Integration Centre in Barranquilla, Colombia.

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The Colombian Government has reached the milestone of providing Temporary Protection Permits to more than 1 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants living in the country. In total, as many as 2.4 million are eligible to receive this document, which allows recipients to access fundamental rights and services including healthcare, education, and formal employment opportunities.

Yohana Bracamonte, a Venezuelan mother living in Barranquilla, on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast, shares her journey to regularization.

Phase 1 – Pre-registration for the TPS

Online pre-registration in the National Registry for Venezuelan Migrants (RUMV, Spanish), once the profiling exercise has been completed.

Phase 2 – Biometrics

Individual biometric data registration in the Colombia Migration system.

A few weeks after her interview, Yohana waits in line to get her fingerprints taken. She takes advantage of the wait at one of Colombia Migration's local assistance points in Barranquilla, Colombia, to get all her documents in order.

Yohana gets her fingerprints taken, meaning that the second step of her regularization process is complete.

Rosiris, a Protection Assistant for UNHCR, walks Yohana through the status of her registration process at a UNHCR Attention and Orientation Centre in Barranquilla, where staff of the UN Refugee Agency provides legal orientation about access to rights and services in Colombia.

Phase 3 – Temporary Protection Permit (PPT)

Print and delivery of plastic documentation cards (Temporary Protection Permits)

A few months later, Yohana receives her Temporary Protection Permit at the main Colombia Migration office in Barranquilla.

Thrilled about receiving her identity card, a radiant Yohana hugs Heidy, UNHCR Community-Based Protection Assistant. The identity card, known as a Temporary Protection Permit, will allow Yohana to access healthcare, education, and to be able to work legally in Colombia.