Uruguay is a gem of stability and prosperity in Latin America. If you want residency in a country that promises a vibrant lifestyle and secure future, look no further than Uruguay, often called the Switzerland of South America.

Luckily, the country welcomes expats from all around the world, so obtaining a Uruguay permanent residency isn’t too hard. The simplest way to do so is by investing in the country’s economy. 

Once you are a legal resident, you will be able to apply for citizenship and obtain a Uruguayan passport by fulfilling some not-too-strict requirements. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Uruguay PR permit and how to become a permanent resident of Uruguay.

What You Need to Know About Uruguay Permanent Residency

The Uruguayan government grants a permanent residency permit to those who meet the criteria, allowing them to live in the country indefinitely. That means you’ll have the right to live, work, and study in the country without any time limitations.

Pros 

There are quite a few upsides to getting a Uruguay permanent residency, including: 

Citizenship in 3 to 5 Years

Once a married couple has filed for Uruguay permanent residency, they can also apply for citizenship in only three years. They don’t have to wait to obtain the license. Single applicants can also apply for citizenship in 5 years.

The requirements for getting citizenship in Uruguay are minimal. For example, the applicant can’t spend more than six months abroad at a time.

Uruguayan passport holders can also use their Cédula to travel to over 150 countries without a visa. That includes the UK, Japan, all of South America, the Schengen Area, Singapore, and more. 

Access to Healthcare

Once you become a permanent resident of Uruguay, you’ll have access to treatment in public and private healthcare facilities. Your Cédula gives you free access to all kinds of healthcare insurance. Healthcare plans in Uruguay are public, private, or funded by employers.

Right to Live and Work in Uruguay

Whole families can get permanent Uruguay residency permits, and family members over 18 can also work in the country. If you’re a tax resident, you can also open a business to generate more income.

Once you’ve received the resident card, you can live in Uruguay as long as you wish. Your personal belongings will also be moved to Uruguay duty-free.

Strong Economy and Safety

Uruguay has earned the nickname “Switzerland of South America” since it rivals the GDP of most European countries. Fortunately, the cost of living in the country’s capital, Montevideo, is 15% more affordable than most European capitals.

The country also ranks 50th on the Global Peace Index, placing it among the safest countries in Latin America. It ranked even higher than Greece. 

Expat-Friendly Country

Uruguay is an expat-friendly country, meaning foreigners can easily rent or buy property or even open a bank account. There’s no linguistic profiling despite the majority of Urguayans speaking Spanish. Locals are typically enthusiastic to help those who can’t speak Spanish.

If you’re willing to live, work, and retire in Uruguay, the immigration authority most likely won’t reject your application. When it comes to a permanent residency, Uruguay makes it pretty easy for you to get one.

Cons 

Like any other country, life in Uruguay has certain downsides, including:

Timeline

Typically, it takes about four to 12 months to obtain a permanent residency permit in Uruguay. But this timeline depends on the specific immigration centre and doesn’t prevent you from applying for citizenship.

Residency Demands

One of the few Uruguay residency requirements includes an obligatory stay.

While your application for the residency is being processed, you need to show your willingness to stay in Uruguay. That means staying in the country for at least 9 out of 12 months a year. Once you have the residency card, this requirement is optional.

Required Visit

You’ll need to visit Uruguay to submit your permanent residency application. If you spend more than three years abroad as a legal resident, your residency card will be evoked.

Re-Entry Fee

After submitting the application, you’ll need to pay a re-entry fee each time you leave the country until you receive the residency card. This fee is currently around $40.

How to Get Permanent Residency in Uruguay

Securing permanent residency will allow you to live and work in one of Latin America’s most stable and welcoming nations. Here’s everything you should know about how to get residency in Uruguay.

Moving to Uruguay: Residency Requirements

Here are the requirements you need to meet to be eligible for Uruguay’s permanent residency card.

• Applicants must spend a minimum of 6 months in Uruguay per year to maintain residency status.
• Applicants must not spend more than six months abroad at a time.
• Applicants should provide evidence of a clean criminal record from their country of origin and any other country where they have resided.
• Applicants must visit Uruguay to submit their application in person.

Required Paperwork

Here are the documents you’ll need to submit an application for a permanent residency in Uruguay.

• Passport
• ID sized photos
• National Police Background check (RCMP or FBI, not province or state level) + Apostille.

• You’ll also need a police check from any country where you lived for over 180 days during the 5-year period preceding your arrival to Uruguay.
• Health check
  • This can be done in Uruguay.
• Birth Certificate + Apostille
• Marriage Certificate (or a divorce certificate if applicable) + Apostille
• Measles and Tetanus proof of vaccines
• Uruguayan Notary’s Income Certificate

Only one document below is needed options for proof of income. All sources of income are acceptable if they come from Uruguay as well (retirement, employment, business and rental). 

You must have at least $550 USD coming into your Uruguay bank account every month until the residency is obtained.

Other Paperwork

• Retirement pension letter, if retired 
• Work Letter (if you are an employee) + Monthly salary receipts 
• CPA Certificate of income + Apostille + Uruguayan Translation if you own a business
• Rental contract (property owner) if you own property and have income in a foreign country 
• Bank statement showing monthly deposits from the past six months
• Uruguayan bank statement showing monthly wires, local payments, and ATM withdrawals. 

Submission Process

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to get Uruguay residency.

1. First, your lawyers will conduct a simple due diligence background check. You won’t need to provide anything more than your passport. This check only takes a day and reduces the risk of refusal from the immigration centre.
2. Since you have to visit Uruguay to submit the residency application, you’ll also need a visa. If you’re coming from the US, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Japan, or South Africa, you won’t need a visa. Certain Asian and Latin countries also have visa-free alliances with Uruguay. This process takes about a month.

If you do need a visa, your lawyer will tell you about the Uruguay permanent residence visa requirements. You’ll need a reputable lawyer if you want to learn how to obtain permanent residence in Uruguay.

• Then, your lawyers will collect all required documents for the application. This can take a month as well.
• You’ll need to book a medical test appointment for a general wellness check. Your lawyers will do that for you, and it only takes about a day.
• Once you’re in Uruguay, your lawyers will help you submit the application in person at the National Migration Office. This process can take about a week, especially if the applicant has dependents.
• Finally, your application will be in process while you receive a temporary residence card that stays valid for around two years.
• Approximately eight months later, you’ll receive your Uruguay permanent residence permit card. 

Obtaining a Uruguay Permanent Residence by Investment

Residents can also get a Uruguay residency by investing in the economy via real estate. The Uruguay permanent residency requirements for investors include:

• The minimum investment amount for real estate to qualify for residency in Uruguay is around 3.5 million indexed units or $525,000 USD. This investment must be made in a property located within Uruguay.
• The property can be residential, commercial, or rural, but it must be located within Uruguay’s borders. It should also be registered with the Uruguayan government and compliant with local regulations.
• The funds used for the real estate investment must be legally obtained. You’ll need to provide bank statements or other financial documentation to prove the source of funds.
• Applicants must provide evidence of a clean criminal record and health insurance coverage in Uruguay. 
• Applicants must spend at least 60 days per year in the country to obtain their Uruguay residency permit. 

The submission process is similar to applying for citizenship in Uruguay. First, you’ll pick a suitable property in Uruguay and conduct a due diligence test. After drafting the purchase agreement and registering the property, you can proceed with your residency application. 

While this route of obtaining a Uruguay permanent residency is much simpler and quicker, it’s also a lot more expensive. Consider your financial limits before investing in the country’s economy for a permit. 

Conclusion

Now that you know how to become a resident of Uruguay, you can see that it’s pretty simple. The requirements aren’t as strict as in other countries, but you also won’t have to compromise on safety or the cost of living. 

As a real estate investor, the qualification criteria are less stringent, making your path to a life in Uruguay even quicker. 

Reach out to us if you would like assistance in obtaining your residency, citizenship, or a real estate purchase in Uruguay.