Naturalization

02/07/22 Hi, Jody.  With respect to your Portuguese course, I checked the FASPEC website -- Faculdade de Ensino Superior Pelegrino Cipriani in Cuiabá (https://www.faspec.edu.br/), and I can't even find a Portuguese for Foreigners course on it.  Did they give you anything in writing stating that their course would be accepted as proof of Portuguese proficiency in the naturalization process?    For the time being, you should wait to receive your certificate and "histórico escolar", and see what those documents say that is helpful.  If the certificate gives you a rating of "Intermediário" (Intermediate) or above, that may be some indication that you can use it, but it would be good to obtain written confirmation from FASPEC.

With respect to permanence to qualify for naturalization, you'll have to account for all of your absences from Brazil since you moved here permanently as part of your petition.  When you lay that out, can you identify any period of four years in which you were continuously in Brazil, without a gap of more than 90 days per year?  If so, you're probably good to go.  If not, I'd recommend consulting an attorney:  you still may qualify, but it might well require some negotiation with the help of a professional.

Hi abthree

Thank you for replying so quickly!

You're right about the website o.o ... I found this site when I searched for a course online last year:

https://federalexpressbrasil.com.br/ser … ortuguesa/

And while speaking to them, I was sure to ask specifically about whether or not I could use it in my application:

I'm quite suspicious now because their only means of communication is a whatapp number, which they haven't replied since Friday. My contract end date was Saturday

So I fear the worst. And so I've been trying to find some other course that gives a real certificate but I can't find any besides Celpe-Bras and Celpe-Bras preparation.

As for how long I've been in Brazil: I arrived in Brazil in 2015, and soon after got my Permanência (RNE) card, which expires next year. They told me it is only the card that expires (I will need a new one) but the permanência itself does not expire.

Since April 2015, I didn't leave Brazil until December 2021. So almost 7 whole years without leaving.

Then began a series of visits to Venezuela. A 6 month period, and then two 3 month periods, all last year. I got back here in Brazil just over a week ago and intend to stay until I have citizenship.

Hi abthree
Thank you for replying so quickly!

I'm quite suspicious now because their only means of communication is a whatapp number, which they haven't replied since Friday. My contract end date was Saturday

So I fear the worst. And so I've been trying to find some other course that gives a real certificate but I can't find any besides Celpe-Bras and Celpe-Bras preparation.

-@JodyVL

You're welcome.

Unfortunately, I've noticed that in most cases, advertised Portuguese for Foreigners courses end up being CelpeBras prep courses in disguise. I'm sure that you got something out of the course, and there's no harm in messaging their WhatsApp number to at least ask them when you can expect your certificate. Are you able to contact any of your online teachers?

It's going to be important to see what that certificate actually says, and the academic history as well.

Registration for this year's CelpeBras doesn't start until July, so you have some time to find out whether your course will satisfy the requirement before you have to make any decisions about that:

https://www.normasabnt.org/celpe-bras-2023/

Hi abthree

As for how long I've been in Brazil: I arrived in Brazil in 2015, and soon after got my Permanência (RNE) card, which expires next year. They told me it is only the card that expires (I will need a new one) but the permanência itself does not expire.

Since April 2015, I didn't leave Brazil until December 2021. So almost 7 whole years without leaving.
Then began a series of visits to Venezuela. A 6 month period, and then two 3 month periods, all last year. I got back here in Brazil just over a week ago and intend to stay until I have citizenship.
-@JodyVL

I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me that you satisfied the four year requirement in 2021.  I hope that the PF will accept it, and if they don't at first, I think that you have a very good case.

Hi again

I'm just very upset because the agent told me explicitly that it can be used in the application for citizenship >.<

Indeed, it seems I will have to wait to see what the certificate says (if they even send it - I checked them on ReclameAqui and it seems there are many, many people complaining that they waited the 60 days after completing the course and still hadn't received anything).

I'd love to ask them for information but like I said, there has been no answer on their only line of communication - a whatsapp number.

Yes, I think having been here for so long is a strong factor in my favour - I'm just unsure from when that limit of being out of the country starts. From 4 years before right now? Or from the moment I became permanent in 2015.

In other words, I've been here for 8 years this April, with almost 1 year in absence - do I get two years? (3 months per year?)

I'd love to ask the polícia federal but I can't find anywhere where I can speak to them to ask.

P.S. It looks like there will be two Celpe-Bras exams this year - expat.com isn't letting me post links but here is a screenshot of the portaria from December 30th:

02/07/23  You're right -- good catch!  The Edital was just published last week.  Here it is:

https://www.in.gov.br/web/dou/-/edital- … -461812319

Hi again
I'm just very upset because the agent told me explicitly that it can be used in the application for citizenship >.<

Indeed, it seems I will have to wait to see what the certificate says (if they even send it - I checked them on ReclameAqui and it seems there are many, many people complaining that they waited the 60 days after completing the course and still hadn't received anything).

I'd love to ask them for information but like I said, there has been no answer on their only line of communication - a whatsapp number.

Yes, I think having been here for so long is a strong factor in my favour - I'm just unsure from when that limit of being out of the country starts. From 4 years before right now? Or from the moment I became permanent in 2015.
In other words, I've been here for 8 years this April, with almost 1 year in absence - do I get two years? (3 months per year?)
I'd love to ask the polícia federal but I can't find anywhere where I can speak to them to ask.

-@JodyVL

What agent -- an agent of the school, or a PF agent?  If it was the PF, that's helpful.

You could try to take the certificate and the scholastic history to the PF to ask whether they'll accept them, but you do have to have the documents first.

I didn't bring this up because I think you have enough worries, but since you mention what you've seen on ReclameAqui, I noticed on jusbrasil.com.br when I researched them that their parent company seems to have a lot of lawsuits against it by students of pre-vestibular courses.  Something may not be quite right with them, or maybe this course is ok.

Your absences come at an unfortunate time with respect to your naturalization petition, but you do seem to have satisfied the four year requirement before you began spending time in Venezuela.  If it were me, I'd rely on that and wait for them to ask questions, rather than to bring it up.   You must always answer questions from the Polícia Federal honestly, but you're not required to volunteer additional information that isn't immediately relevant.