Andean Community Approves Reciprocal Movement and Residence Rights

The member nations of the Andean Community (CAN), Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, approved the Andean Migration Statute, to go into effect on August 13. The statute provides the right to movement and temporary and permanent residence between the member countries for Andean citizens.

Changes
  • Andean Temporary Residence
    • CAN citizens to stay for up to two years in the territory of a member country other than that of their nationality.
    • This may be managed at the consular headquarters of the destination country or, if the citizen is in the territory of the immigration country, he or she must process it before the competent immigration authority.
  • Andean Permanent Residence
    • CAN citizens can stay indefinitely in the territory of a member country other than that of their nationality.
    • Individuals must submit their permanent residence application to the competent authority within 90 days prior to the expiration of the Andean Temporary Residence.

CAN Citizens may enter any of the member countries as tourists by presenting their national identification documents. Additionally, CAN Citizens will have the same rights to employment as nationals in accordance with the legal regulations of each country.

Background

The Andean Migration Statute was agreed to during the XXVI Ordinary Meeting of the Andean Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.