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TIP: Fast Track for Visas and Residences

 

A procedure is currently available to expedite and simplify access to visas (work, business and family reunification visas) and residences for people working in foreign companies and/or service exporters based in Uruguay.

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This tool was developed within the framework of the Talent Attraction Plan, jointly organized by Uruguay XXI, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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More information here | Contact: fast-track@uruguayxxi.gub.uy

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HOW ARE VISAS PROCESSED?

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Uruguayan consulates abroad are responsible for receiving visa applications and providing information on the necessary requirements to apply for a visa.

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The National Directorate for Migration is then responsible for authorizing the visa and this usually takes at least 20 working days from the date the application is submitted. Once the consulate receives the written authorization, visas are then issued and stamped in the holder's passport.

 

All those applying for a visa must provide a contact person in Uruguay or a hotel reservation, including a telephone number and address.

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More information here.

 

How much does it cost?  USD 42 only if the visa is granted.

Where to apply? Diplomatic Representation of Uruguay authorized in the country where you live, click here.

 

What documents must be submitted?

The activity to be carried out in Uruguay during your stay (tourism, business, work, family reunification, education, congress, convention or seminar, and humanitarian and emergency entry) will determine the required documents to process the visa and the length of stay allowed:

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Tourist Visa

• A valid passport (for at least an additional six months after your arrival) and in good condition.

• A passport-size photo (5 x 5 cm).

• Completed and signed application form.

• Round-trip tickets/reservation.

• Hotel reservation or other proof of accommodation and income.

* Length of stay: 90 days, extendable for an additional 90 days, with multiple entries.

 

Business Visa

• A valid passport (for at least an additional six months after your arrival) and in good condition.

• A passport-size photo (5 x 5 cm).

• Completed and signed application form.

• Signed letter on company letterhead by a designated authority of the inviting company/organization in Uruguay.

• Signed letter on company letterhead by a representative of the company to which the applicant is affiliated, indicating the company's corporate name or line of business and the applicant's position at the company.

• Hotel reservation.

• Round-trip tickets/reservation.

 * Length of stay: 90 days, extendable for an additional 90 days, with multiple entries.

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Working Visa 

• A valid passport (for at least an additional six months after your arrival) and in good condition.

• A passport-size photo (5 x 5 cm).

• Completed and signed application form.

• Letter of employment issued by the company in Uruguay.

​ * Length of stay: depending on the residency to be applied for (temporary or permanent). To apply for residency, you will have 30 days from the date of entry.

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Family Reunification Visa

• A valid passport (for at least an additional six months after your arrival) and in good condition.

• A passport-size photo (5 x 5 cm).

• Completed and signed application form.

• A document issued by the appropriate authority certifying the family relationship, apostilled/legalized.

• If the applicant is underaged, he/she must have authorization from his/her legal guardians to reside in the country.

*Length of stay: it will be the same as the time granted in the permanent residence of the person with whom he/she is applying for reunification. The reunification may be carried out with a family member with granted or pending permanent residence.

*In order to apply for residence you will have 30 days from the date of entry.

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Visa for congresses, conventions, and seminars

• A valid passport (for at least an additional six months after your arrival) and in good condition.

• A passport-size photo (5 x 5 cm).

• Completed and signed application form.

• Proof of the public interest nature of the event.

• Invitation letter from the event organizer.

• Round-trip tickets/reservation.

*Length of stay: 90 days, extendable for 90 more days, with multiple entries.

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Study Visa

• A valid passport (for at least an additional six months after your arrival) and in good condition.

• A passport-size photo (5 x 5 cm).

• Completed and signed application form.

• Signed letter on institution´s letterhead or proof of enrollment in the educational institution where the applicant will study, make use of a scholarship, and/or carry out an internship.

• Means of support and accommodation.

• If the applicant is a minor, they must provide the consulate with the authorization of their parents or guardians.

 

*Length of stay: it will be determined according to the duration of the course.
*The applicant will have 30 days from the date of entry to apply for residency.

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Humanitarian and emergency visa

The applicant must provide documentation that duly accredits the cause (such as medical treatment, attendance at a court hearing, death or health status of a family member or friend or other) for which he/she is requesting entry to the country according to this type of consular visa.

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HOW ARE RESIDENCES PROCESSED?

 

IF YOU COME FROM:

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• Anywhere in the world

  • Stay shorter than 180 days - Provisional Identity Sheet

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• Mercosur and related countries

  • Between 180 days and 2 years - Mercosur Temporary Residence

  • More than 2 years - Mercosur Permanent Residence

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• Outside Mercosur

  • Between 180 days and 2 years - Temporary Residence

  • More than 2 years - Permanent Residence

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• Locations in Brazil near the Uruguayan border - Special border document

 

For more information, please visit: https://www.gub.uy/tramites/residencia-legal.

​Access a FAQs document with further information regarding residency permits here.

PROVISIONAL IDENTITY SHEET

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The Provisional Identity Sheet allows the applicant to stay for up to 180 days, if he/she is traveling for study, work and/or religious purposes. 

All foreign documents submitted must be apostilled or legalized (according to Law No. 15,441) and translated into Spanish by a Uruguayan Certified Translator, except those issued in Brazil.

Once the activity that justifies the request is validated, a certificate is issued in order to process the Temporary Identity Card with the National Civil Identification Office, this certificate must be submitted if you need to register with the relevant Social Security agencies (Banco de Previsión Social in Spanish) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

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Related costs:

• Cost of certificate: 55.71 UI (Index unit)*

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*The index unit is a unit of value that is readjusted daily according to the inflation measured by the CPI- Consumer Price Index (index that reflects the variation in prices of goods and services used by Uruguayan households).

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What documents are required?

• ID, passport or other document with which the applicant enters the country (original and copy).

• Proof of the activity motivating the request and its termination date, by means of a letter on the Institution or company’s letterhead.

• A notarized certificate that confirms all the information of the Institution or company.

• Valid vaccination record, issued by an Institution authorized by the Ministry of Public Health of Uruguay, with tetanus and measles vaccines being mandatory (more details on the location of vaccination centers here).

 

Where to apply?

• Online, by creating a user in the website www.gub.uy, check here. 

• National Migration Directorate offices, check here.

Once the process is completed, the applicant must go to the National Civil Identification Office to obtain the Provisional Identity Sheet.

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DIGITAL NOMAD PERMIT

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This permit allows you to stay in Uruguay for up to six months, extendable for another six months. Digital nomads looking to come to Uruguay must be independent workers (freelance) or employed by a foreign company, for this permit does not allow the interested party to be employed on a Uruguayan payroll.

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*Please note that the Digital Nomad Permit does not account for a visa, if your country requires one, you should start this process before working on your Permit.

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What documents are required?

• ID, passport or other document with which the applicant enters the country (original and copy).

• Complete online form with all your personal information and sign affidavit stating that you have the means to support yourself financially. You can download and sign this affidavit from the site.

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To extend your permit for another six months, you will also need:

• Valid vaccination record, issued by an Institution authorized by the Ministry of Public Health of Uruguay, with tetanus and measles vaccines being mandatory (more details on the location of vaccination centers here).

• Criminal record: certificate that shows no judicial, criminal and/or police record at the national level of the country of origin and of the countries where the applicant has lived for the last 5 years (translated into spanish if applicable).

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Related costs:

• Approximately $312, that must be payed through local financial institutions such us Abitab, RedPagos or Correo Uruguayo, once you are in the country.

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Where to apply?

• Online, by creating a user in the website www.gub.uy, check here.

 

Once you have your permit, you must make an appointment at the National Civil Identification Office in order to obtain your uruguayan document.

Please note that this ID will be required to extend your permit for another six months and to leave the country after your first three months here.

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How to apply?

• We have created a step by step explanatory video on how to apply for the Digital Nomad Permit, check here.

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For inquiries please contact dnm-hip@minterior.gub.uy

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TEMPORARY RESIDENCE

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If the applicant wishes to stay in Uruguay for more than 180 days, but less than 2 years (with the possibility of renewing for an additional two years), it will be more appropriate to apply for a temporary residence. If the applicant does not speak Spanish, they must attend the interview with an interpreter. All foreign documents submitted must be apostilled or legalized if the applicant's country of origin is NOT a member of the Apostille Convention (according to Law No. 15.441). They must also be translated into Spanish by a Uruguayan Certified Translator, except for those documents issued in Brazil.

If the applicant is from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador or Peru, he/she can apply for the Mercosur Temporary Residence without justifying the source of activity.

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Related costs:

• Residence application fee: 557.30 UI

• Migration certificate: 55.70 UI for obtaining an ID card once it has been granted.

• Once the application has been initiated and until the residence is granted, a re-entry permit must be paid each time the applicant leaves the country at a cost of 225.60 UI.

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What documentation is required for applicants coming from non-Mercosur countries?

• A passport-size photograph.

• Filled out form with personal information.

• ID card: the original and photocopies of the document used to enter the country or Consular ID issued by the corresponding Consulate in Uruguay.

• The exact date of entry into the country.

• Valid vaccination record issued in Uruguay (more details about the location of vaccination centers here).

• Valid health card: an Occupational Health Card, issued by public or private health service providers authorized by the Ministry of Public Health.

• Criminal record: certificate that shows no judicial, criminal and/or police record at the national level of the country of origin and of the countries where the applicant has lived for the last 5 years (translated into spanish if applicable).

• Proof of the activity that motivates the application, specifying the activity carried out and the time period:​

  • WORKERS: A letter with the employer's letterhead specifying the activity to be carried out and the term of the contract, indicating the monthly remuneration if applicable or the means of livelihood. In the case of residence for work purposes, the letter must be accompanied by proof of registration with the Social Security Office (BPS for its acronym in Spanish), a copy of the company's employee list, a payslip, or a certificate by a notary public or registered accountant showing all the company's information.

  • STUDENTS: This status must be proven through an official certificate from an educational institution - for private institutions, a certificate issued by a notary public affirming the existence of said institution and its comptroller must be provided. In addition, the applicant must provide proof of sufficient means of financial support. If unable to, a direct family member may provide the necessary financial support, but documents proving the relationship must be provided.

    • If the means of financial support come from abroad, a certification by a notary public that indicates the money received from abroad, detailing the amount, where the money is received, and the relationship of the person making the transfer is needed. These documents may be presented as originals, a notary public verified copy of the original, or a photocopy authenticated by a notary public; (in the latter two options the original documents are not required). If the original documentation and a copy are presented, the copy will be added to the application and its authenticity will be certified by the acting official.

    • This type of residency is granted for up to one year, renewable for an equal period, not exceeding two years of the total degree.

  • RELIGIOUS PURPOSES: Members of churches, orders, religions or congregations recognized in the country, who come to carry out activities related to their worship, teaching, or assistance of their religion. They must present a certificate issued by the congregation or church to which they belong to with the corresponding letterhead, stating the activities to be carried out, the duration of their mission, and proof of livelihood. A notarized certificate will be attached to this, where the legal status and other information of the church is detailed.

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Underaged foreigners:

• No criminal record will be requested. 

• Express consent by the applicant’s parents or guardians to settle in Uruguay will be required. If this is not given in person and comes from abroad by means of a power of attorney, it must be previously notarized by a Uruguayan notary public.

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Where to apply?

• A request for a hearing must be made through the webpage www.tramites.gub.uy, and then another at the offices of the National Migration Directorate, check here.

• Also through the Diplomatic Representation of Uruguay authorized in the country where you live, check here. This must also be done through the Uruguayan Embassy or another accredited diplomatic representation for Uruguay in the home country of the applicant, check here.

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MERCOSUR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE

 

What documents are required for applicants from Mercosur countries and associated countries?

• A passport-size photograph.

• ID: the original and photocopies of the document used to enter the country or Consular ID issued by the corresponding Consulate in Uruguay.

• Exact date of entry into the country.

• Valid vaccination record, issued by an Institution authorized by the Ministry of Public Health of Uruguay, with tetanus and measles vaccinations being compulsory (more details about the location of vaccination centers here).

• Valid health card: an Occupational Health Card, issued by public or private health service providers authorized by the Ministry of Public Health.

• Criminal record: certificate that shows no judicial, criminal and/or police record at the national level of the country of origin and of the countries where the applicant has lived in for the last 5 years (translated into Spanish if applicable).

• Birth certificate and proof of marital status of applicant, if applicable (original and copy), and/or Certificate of Nationalization or Naturalization, if applicable.  

 

Underaged foreigners:

• No criminal record will be requested.

• Express consent by the applicant’s parents or guardians to settle in Uruguay will be required. If this is not given in person and comes from abroad by means of a power of attorney, it must be previously notarized by a Uruguayan notary public.

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Where to apply?

• A request for a hearing must be made through the webpage www.tramites.gub.uy, and then attend an interview at the offices of the National Migration Directorate, check here.

• Also through the Uruguayan Embassy or another accredited diplomatic representation for Uruguay in the home country of the applicant, check here.

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DEFINITIVE OR PERMANENT LEGAL RESIDENCE

 

This type of residence will allow foreign citizens to reside permanently in Uruguay. If the applicant does not speak Spanish, they must attend the interview with an interpreter.

All foreign documents submitted must be apostilled or legalized (Law No. 15,441) and translated into Spanish by a Uruguayan Certified Translator, with the exception of those issued by Brazil.

If the interested party is a national of Mercosur countries or countries associated to Mercosur or is related to Uruguayans (parents, siblings, spouses, and judicially recognized cohabitant), it may be processed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Law N.° 19.254).

 

Related costs:

• Residence application: 557.30 UI.

• Migratory certificate to obtain an identity card once the application is approved: 55.70 UI.

• Once the process has been initiated and until the residency is granted, a re-entry permit must be paid each time the applicant leaves the country, at a cost of 225.60 UI.

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What documents must be submitted?​​

• A passport-size photograph.

• ID: the original and photocopies of the document used to enter the country or Consular ID issued by the corresponding Consulate in Uruguay.

• Exact date of entry into the country.

• Valid vaccination record, issued by an Institution authorized by the Ministry of Public Health of Uruguay, with tetanus and measles vaccinations being compulsory (more details about the location of vaccination centers here).

• Valid health card: an Occupational Health Card, issued by public or private health service providers authorized by the Ministry of Public Health.

• Criminal record: certificate that shows no judicial, criminal and/or police record at the national level of the country of origin and of the countries where the applicant has lived in for the last 5 years (translated into Spanish if applicable).

• Birth certificate and proof of marital status if applicable (original and copy), and/or Certificate of Nationalization or Naturalization, if applicable.

• Source of income proof, through the corresponding documentation according to the activity (employee of a legal entity, an employee of an individual, independent worker, businessman or shareholder, annuitant, retiree, and pensioner abroad or retiree in Uruguay).

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Underaged foreigners:

• No criminal record will be requested.

• Express consent by the applicant’s parents or guardians to settle in Uruguay will be required. If this is not given in person and comes from abroad by means of a power of attorney, it must be previously notarized by a Uruguayan notary public.

• From the age of 4, student status must be proved, through the presentation of the corresponding certificate of study from the educational institution.

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Where to apply?

• A request for a hearing must be made through the webpage www.tramites.gub.uy, and then attend an interview at the offices of the National Migration Directorate, check here.

• Also, through the Uruguayan Embassy or another accredited diplomatic representation for Uruguay in the home country of the applicant, check here.

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MERCOSUR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

 

It is the administrative process carried out before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by a foreigner who is a national of Mercosur member countries and associated countries, or a foreigner who is a family member of Uruguayans who will reside permanently in Uruguay to legalize their stay and obtain the Uruguayan identity card under Law No. 19,254.

 

Who can apply for permanent residence?

• Foreigners who are relatives of Uruguayans: spouses, cohabitants with established Uruguayan judicial sentence, siblings, and parents of Uruguayans.

• Foreigners who are nationals of the Mercosur members and Associated States: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Surinam.

 

Costs:

• There are no related costs.

 

Where to apply?

It can be carried out with the Residency Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uruguay or at the Uruguayan Consulates abroad.

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What documents must be submitted?​​

Requirements from Uruguay:

• Valid identity document in good condition (national ID, ID card, passport).

• Valid criminal record certificate from the country or countries where the applicant has lived for over 6 months during the last 5 years.

• Uruguayan vaccination record.

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For applicants who are relatives of Uruguayans:

• A valid and in good condition document proving identity (national ID card, ID card, passport).

• Proof of the relationship with the Uruguayan person through valid certificates (for cohabitants, the testimony of a Uruguayan legal sentence that declares the cohabitation).

• Valid and in good condition passport or ID card of the Uruguayan person.

• Uruguayan vaccination record.

 

Requirements from abroad:

Same requirements as if applying in Uruguay and a "Proof of domicile in the country where the application will begin", requested for all applicants.

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SPECIAL BORDER DOCUMENT

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This residency allows you to reside, study, and/or work in Uruguay, exclusively within the territorial limits of the border cities linked to the Agreement signed by both governments, if you are a national of any of the border cities in Brazil such as: Chuí, Santa Vitória do Palmar/Hermenegildo, Barra do Chuí, Jaguarao, Aceguá, Santana do Livramento, Quaraí and Barra do Quaraí.

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This Border Document is valid for 5 years, which can be extended before its expiration date.

 

Related costs:

• Residence application: 557.30 UI.

• Migratory certificate to obtain an ID card: 55.70 UI.

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What documents must be submitted?

• Valid identity document accepted by both countries.

• Proof of residence (proof of domicile) in one of the locations referred to in the Agreement..

• Two recent ID photos, in color, size 3 x 4.

• Criminal record: certificate of no judicial, criminal or police record at the national level of the country of origin and of the countries where the applicant has lived for the last 5 years (translated into Spanish if applicable).

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Underaged foreigners:

• No criminal record will be requested.

• Express parental or guardian consent to settle in Uruguay. If this is not provided for in person and comes from abroad by means of a power of attorney, it must be previously notarized by a Uruguayan notary public.

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Where to apply?

The application is carried out in person at the Migration Inspectorates in Chuy, Rivera, Río Branco, Aceguá, Bella Unión and Artigas, see details here.

Related costs:

It is free of charge but obtaining some of the required documents may have a cost.

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LEGAL CITIZENSHIP

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The Letter of Citizenship is the document that certifies that a person acquires the nationality of another country, for reasons such as legally prolonged residence, marriage or descent, among others

It does not expire, once approved it is effective for an indefinite period, however it can be renounced or lost, according to what is established by the current regulations.

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Costs

• It is free of charge but obtaining some of the required documents may have a cost.

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Who can apply for it?

• Foreign men and women of good conduct, with a family established in Uruguay, who possess capital or property in the country or take part in science, a trade, or an industry, and who have been residing in Uruguay for three years.

• Foreign men and women of good conduct, without family established in Uruguay, who have any of the qualities previously mentioned and five years of residence in Uruguay.

• Foreign men and women who obtain special grace from the General Assembly for outstanding services or relevant merits.

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In all cases, applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

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Foreigners who speak a language other than Spanish must understand and communicate in Spanish, or the application will not be processed.

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What documents must be submitted?

 

• Proof of nationality, by means of documentation issued by the Civil Registry, for having been born in Uruguay or for having been registered in the “Book of Foreigners” if born outside our country, or document from the country of origin with apostille or visa as appropriate:  

  • Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate of a son or daughter.

  • Another document from the country of origin, such as passport or ID card, in which the nationality of the applicant is stated.

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• Proof of entry to the country, through one of these options:

  • Certificate of Residence and Certificate of Migratory Movements issued by the National Migration Directorate (they can be requested online here)

  • Residence certificate issued by the Residence Sector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRREE), granted by the Citizen Attention Center - MRREE.

• Proof of “usual” residence, that is, that the departures from the country cannot exceed 6 months in a row.

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• Source of income or settlement, as applicable:

  • ​"Query of Activities by Person" (“Consulta de Actividades por Persona”) and "Labor History" (“Historia Laboral”) Certificates as issued by the Social Security Office.*

  • Retirement or Pension Certificate issued by the Social Security Authority (BPS).

  • Proof of having a “Sole Proprietorship” issued by the Social Security Authority (BPS).

  • Certificate issued by the University Professionals Fund, by the Notarial Fund, or by the Banking Retirement and Pension Fund. In these cases, since these are private institutions, the signature and content of these documents must be verified by a notary public.

  • Certificate issued by the Military Fund or by the Police Fund, as applicable.

  • Ownership title of a property. It only serves as proof of “source of income” if any rental profit is received from it.

  • Marriage or cohabitation if their partner is responsible for the financial support.

 

*The Social Security Office in Uruguay is known as the “Banco de Previsión Social”, the entity in charge of coordinating, organizing, and executing state social welfare and social security services in the country.

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• The applicant must provide witnesses, who must be over 25 years of age and have known the person for a sufficient period of time (3 years if the applicant has established a family or 5 years if the applicant does not have a family in Uruguay). The witnesses may not have the following relationship to the applicant: be a family member; employee or employer. The witnesses may not be military personnel, active police officers, or electoral officials.

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• Reason for your stay in the country, if applicable:

  • Students, as applicable:

    • A High School or Higher Education Diploma. If the educational institutions are privately owned, the documents presented must be verified in signature and content by a notary public.

    • Source of income proof of one of the parents which will be accompanied by a note of support to be made in the office.

  • Medical certificates:

    • Medical History that shows the number of times the applicant received medical attention according to the period of time that needs to be demonstrated, not exceeding six months between one date and the other.

  • Individuals practicing religious work:

    • A certificate from the religious congregation to which they belong stating that they perform functions in it, on a regular and uninterrupted basis, the date from which they have been performing such functions, and that the cost of maintenance is covered by the congregation.

  • Athletes:

    • A certificate from the club to which the applicant is a member, signed by the responsible authority of the club, stating the dates of the athletic activity.

    • Certificate from the sports federation stating the applicant´s activity.

 

• The documentation issued by private institutions must be verified in signature and content by a notary public.

  • IN SIGNATURE: The notary public must certify that the signature contained in the document submitted is authentic, drawn up in their presence by a person authorized for such purpose.

  • IN CONTENT: The notary public must establish that they have seen the files, archives, or registers kept by the institution and that the information contained in the document submitted is derived therefrom.

 

All foreign documents submitted must be apostilled or legalized (according to Law No. 15,441) and translated into Spanish by a Uruguayan Certified Translator, except those issued in Brazil.

 

Where to apply?

 

• In Montevideo, you must make an appointment here and then go in person to the Legal Citizenship Section of the Electoral Court.

• In the rest of the country, the process must be initiated at the Departmental Electoral Offices and in the Department of Canelones, it must also be initiated at the Permanent Delegate Registration Offices of Pando, Las Piedras, and Ciudad de la Costa.

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More  information here. 

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