Moving to Uruguay
We have no services for moving to Uruguay yet: we haven't found a specialist we would vouch for. Below are the official terms of each route with links to government sources — no prices, no promises.
Immigration routes: Uruguay
8 routes to move to Uruguay: grounds, requirements, documents and timelines. Each route carries a link to the official source and the date we checked it. The terms change several times a year — check the primary source before you file.
Permanent legal residence (Residencia Legal — Permanente)
Ley 18.250/2008 (the migration act); Decreto 394/2009; Decreto 353/23; Decreto 136/2018.
Temporary legal residence (Residencia Legal — Temporaria)
Ley 18.250/2008 and Decreto 394/2009.
Permanent residence through a family link with a Uruguayan (Residencia Legal — Permanente por vínculo uruguayo)
Ley 18.250/2008; Decreto 394/2009; Ley 18.246/2008 (on cohabitation).
Mercosur permanent residence (Residencia Legal — Permanente Mercosur)
Ley 18.250/2008; Decreto 394/2009; Ley 18.134/2007. The programme is relevant only to nationals of the countries listed.
Mercosur temporary residence (Residencia Legal — Temporaria Mercosur)
Ley 17.927/2005 (the Mercosur residence agreements); Ley 18.250/2008. The programme is relevant only to nationals of the countries listed.
Permanent residence for foreign pensioners (Beneficio para extranjeros jubilados que obtengan residencia permanente, Ley 16.340)
Ley 16.340 (1992) and Decreto 119/004. The benefit includes duty-free import of household goods and of one car; the car may not be sold for 4 years and must be insured before it is used. There is no application fee.
Permanent residence under Law 19.254 through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Residencia permanente — Ley 19.254)
Ley 19.254. A fast-track route bypassing the Directorate of Migration's standard procedure. The same Ministry of Foreign Affairs page also describes other routes: ordinary temporary residence (up to 2 years, extendable to 4), Mercosur temporary residence and definitive legal residence.
Carta de ciudadanía — Uruguayan citizenship (Carta de ciudadanía, ciudadanía legal)
Article 75 of the Constitution of Uruguay. No fee is charged. It is handled by the Electoral Court (Corte Electoral), legal citizenship section.
Planning a move to Uruguay?
We have no services for moving to Uruguay yet — this page is a reference only. Tell us which route you are considering: we will take the country on and come back once we find a specialist there we trust.