New MERCOSUR Visa Category Benefits Dependents Seeking Residence

Colombia

A new visa category for MERCOSUR nationals and their dependents, called TP-15, has been created, according to a decree issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dependents of MERCOSUR nationals can now be included as part of the MERCOSUR residence application under the new category. MERCOSUR nationals and their dependents are eligible for a Resident Visa after two years of TP-15 status. 

Previously, dependents had to qualify for MERCOSUR residence on their own, or the employee could apply for standard work authorization, which allows dependents, but requires a corporate sponsor. 

Eligible dependents include spouses, permanent partners, parents, children under 25 who re economically dependent on the visa holder and children over 25 who have a disability. The occupation of such dependents will be indicated as ‘home’ or ‘study’ on the visa application. 

Qualifying MERCOSUR countries are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay. Eligibility for Venezuelans remains suspended. 

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals 

Dependents of MERCOSUR nationals, especially if the main applicant does not have a corporate sponsor, will benefit from eligibility for TP-15 dependent status since they will no longer have to apply for temporary visa status on their own.

Fragomen worked closely with Godoy Cordoba Abogados (Bogotá) to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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