EspañolPresident José Mujica has submitted an immigration bill that, if approved, would offer residency status to citizens born in any Mercosur member country. The bill aims is to strengthen regional integration and is based on Mercosur’s residency clause, signed in 2002. According to its mission statement, the bill “is framed on a migration policy based on rights and in line with national commitments.”
In this regard, those who will benefit from this legislation and automatically be able to enjoy permanent residency status are citizens from Mercosur member countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The bill also aims to simplify the process of obtaining permanent residency for Uruguayans’ spouses, cohabitants, parents, siblings, and grandchildren.
Uruguay has significantly increased approval rates for Argentineans seeking permanent resident status, from 461 in 2012 to 1,645 in 2013. However, approval rates have not only risen for Argentinean citizens. Altogether, Uruguay’s approval rates have risen from 2,426 in 2012 to 5,885 in 2013.
Source: El País.