Paraguay-Uruguay
Bilateral in force
INTRODUCTION
Paraguay and Uruguay signed the Agreement on Permanent Residence with the Objective of Achieving the Free Movement of People in Asunción on 10 July 2019. The agreement builds on previous joint communiqués and high-level meetings, in which both countries committed to easing residence for each other’s nationals and deepening their integration. Its stated aim is to advance towards the free movement of people between the two countries. To this end, it allows Paraguayan and Uruguayan nationals to obtain permanent residence in the other country directly, without first holding temporary residence. They need only provide proof of identity and nationality, a birth certificate, and a certificate of no criminal record. The process is free of charge, and residents may enter, leave, move within, and stay in the host country, and work there under the same conditions as nationals. The agreement was approved by Paraguay through Law No. 6774 of 2021 and by Uruguay through Law No. 20.019 of 23 December 2021. It has no fixed term and remains in force until either country terminates it. It coexists with the multilateral MERCOSUR Residence Agreement regime, which has governed both countries since 2009 and whose more favourable provisions are preserved.
STATE PARTIES
- PARAGUAY
- URUGUAY
TIMELINE
| 2009 | Entry into force of the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement, to which both countries are parties, on 28 July. |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Signature of the Agreement on Permanent Residence with the Objective of Achieving the Free Movement of People in Asunción on 10 July. |
| 2021 | Approval of the Agreement by Paraguay through Law No. 6774 on 3 August. |
| 2021 | Approval of the Agreement by Uruguay through Law No. 20.019 on 23 December. |
KEY LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Agreement between the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the Republic of Paraguay on Permanent Residence with the Objective of Achieving the Free Movement of People, Asunción, 10 July 2019 [Acuerdo entre la República Oriental del Uruguay y la República del Paraguay sobre Residencia Permanente con el objetivo de alcanzar la Libre Circulación de Personas].
Law No. 6774 of the Republic of Paraguay approving the Agreement on Permanent Residence with the Objective of Achieving the Free Movement of People, Asunción, 3 August 2021 [Ley Nº 6774 que aprueba el Acuerdo entre la República del Paraguay y la República Oriental del Uruguay sobre Residencia Permanente con el objetivo de alcanzar la Libre Circulación de Personas].
Law No. 20.019 of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay approving the Agreement on Permanent Residence with the Objective of Achieving the Free Movement of People, Montevideo, 23 December 2021 [Ley Nº 20.019 – Aprobación del Acuerdo entre la República Oriental del Uruguay y la República del Paraguay sobre Residencia Permanente con el objetivo de alcanzar la Libre Circulación de Personas].