Understanding Mercosur and Travel Benefits for Nationals of South American Countries
Discover how Mercosur facilitates free travel between member states, and learn about the visa requirements for travel to associated countries as a national of Paraguay.


Mercosur is a trade bloc consisting of five South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela (although Venezuela is currently suspended due to political reasons). The aim of Mercosur is to promote free trade and economic cooperation between member states. One of the benefits of Mercosur membership is the ease of travel for nationals of member states. Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay can travel between these countries with just a national ID card, which makes travel much more convenient and affordable. This agreement applies to both tourists and business travelers.
Similarly, if you are a national of Paraguay, you can travel with just a national ID to Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. However, nationals of Paraguay will need a passport to travel to Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as these countries are not part of the Mercosur agreement.
If you are interested in obtaining Paraguayan permanent residency, it can provide additional travel benefits within Mercosur. While you don't need to apply for a Mercosur residence card, obtaining Paraguayan permanent residency can grant visa-free travel to other Mercosur member states for short-term stays. This means that you can visit Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay with just a national ID for up to 90 days. It's worth noting that Venezuela is currently not part of this agreement, so its nationals will need a passport to travel to other Mercosur member states.
In summary, Mercosur is a trade agreement between five South American countries that promotes free trade and economic cooperation. Nationals of member states can travel between these countries with just a national ID card, which makes travel more convenient and affordable. Nationals of Paraguay can also travel with just a national ID to Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. However, a passport is required for travel to Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as these countries are not part of the Mercosur agreement. Obtaining Paraguayan permanent residency can provide additional visa-free travel benefits within Mercosur for short-term stays.