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Permanent Residence & Citizenship Service Package - Uruguay

  • Type: Permanent Residence & Citizenship
  • Country: Uruguay
  • Duration: 1-3 years
  • Status: Active

1. Initial Requirements for Permanent Residence

To start the residency application, the following documents are required:

• Passport (original + photocopy of entire document).
The Immigration Office does not keep the passport during the proceedings; they just need to compare it with the photocopy.

• Criminal Record Certificate: From FBI (for U.S. citizens) or equivalent authority in the country of birth and any country lived in during the last 5 years. Must be apostilled and translated in Uruguay.

• Proof of Income:

– Minimum monthly income of approx. USD 1,500 (pensions, salaries, rental income, etc.).

– Must be certified by a Public Notary in Uruguay.

These three items (passport, criminal record certificate, and income proof) are enough to initiate the proceedings.

2. Additional Documents Required to Complete the Process

To finalize and ensure issuance of the Identity Card (Cedula de Identidad) and full permanent residency:

• Birth Certificate – Apostilled in the country of birth, translated in Uruguay.

• Marriage Certificate (if applicable) – Apostilled and translated in Uruguay.

• Vaccination Certificates – For adults, the MMR & Tetanus vaccines; for minors, the full vaccination program. Certificates from abroad are valid if officially certified.

• Health ID – Issued by Ministerio de Salud Pública at (Durazno 1242 Phone 900 29 51) (free) or private hospitals (approx. USD 70). 

• Two passport-type photos.

• Date of entry stamp into Uruguay (as per immigration record).

3. Important Notes

• All foreign documents must be apostilled and then translated by a Public Translator in Uruguay.

• Estimated translation & notary costs: around USD 1,000 (depends on length/number of documents).

• The Immigration Office requires proof of intent to reside permanently in the country. If applicants apply and then leave Uruguay for extended periods, their residency may be denied.

4. Citizenship Eligibility

  • • Timeline:

– Single applicant: Eligible after 5 years of permanent residency.

– Married couple/family: Eligible after 3 years of permanent residency.

  • • Requirements:

– Proof of real residence (utility bills, invoices, rental contracts, property purchase, etc.).

– Witnesses to confirm actual residence.

• Processing time: Between 1 and 3 years, depending on bureaucracy and location (Montevideo is slower; smaller cities like Colonia are faster).

5. Additional Services Offered

• Document Pre-check: Clients first send scanned copies; we verify correctness before originals are submitted.

• Translations & Notarizations: Full assistance with certified translations and notarial processes.

• Health & Vaccination Assistance: Coordination with public or private health providers.

• Real Estate Legal Assistance: Help with property purchases or rentals in Uruguay (via partner real estate brokers).