Getting residence in Uruguay
Uruguay offers accessible legal residence with proof of income, then permanent after a few years. Indicative process and costs.
Tax residence (183+ days) is a separate calendar from the migratory title.
How to read the paths
Each card combines a category (how you qualify), an outcome (what you get) and duration (renewable title or permanent). RBI ≠ CBI: the first grants residence, the second a passport.
- EU free movement — EU/EEA citizens: registration, not a classic consular visa.
- Work / employment — Status tied to a local employer or qualifying contract.
- Entrepreneur / company — Activity or company setup: the visa follows the project, not a passport.
- Passive income / retirement — Stable income (pension, dividends, rent) without local employment.
- Nomad / remote — Remote work for an employer or clients outside the country.
- Residence by investment — Investment or financial threshold → residence (not a passport).
- Citizenship by investment — Investment or contribution → passport (programmes often restricted).
- Naturalisation / long stay — After years of legal stay: PR, ILR, C permit, etc.
- Other — Visit, transit or routes outside the frames above.
Paths by category
Indicative thresholds, timelines and fees — verify with official sources and local counsel.
Passive income / retirement
Legal residence (proof of income)
Passive income / retirement
Residence permit
Temporary
Process steps
- Apostille documents in home country
- File with Dirección Nacional de Migración (often lawyer)
- Uruguay medical exams
- Receive temporary card
- Renew until permanent eligibility
Sources: gub.uy
Naturalisation / long stay
Permanent residence
Naturalisation / long stay
Permanent residence
Permanent
Process steps
- Continuity dossier
- Permanent application
- Migración decision
- Permanent card
Sources: gub.uy