What Is The Mercosur Residence Agreement?

The Mercosur Agreement was implemented in 2009 with the intention of managing intra-regional migration throughout South America. Under the Residence agreement, citizens of participating Mercosur sovereign member states and associated member states are granted the right to reside and work in another member state for a maximum period of two years. Some member states also have established simplified work and residence permit processing times.  

Mercosur member states include Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Venezuela's membership was suspended in 2016 due to trade and human rights concerns. The associated member states include Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. Bolivia is in the process of accession to the Agreement.