Uruguay also offers a number of residency visas. Final approval of residency can take over a year…but this doesn’t really matter, since you get your ID card at the beginning of the process, and with it comes all the rights you’ll have as a resident.

As a resident, you can import your household effects duty-free.

Here’s a simplified version of the steps:

• Submit a letter of intent to Immigration, and obtain approval
• Obtain your police background check
• Get a simple medical exam
• Provide evidence of your financial means of support
• Turn it all in with a copy of your passport
• Obtain your temporary cédula (ID card)
• Receive final approval, and obtain your permanent cédula

And here are the most common visa types:

Rentista Visa: As of this writing, the income requirement is $500. At the immigration office, they’ll give you the amount in writing.

Employees: You must present a work contract, or a work commitment from your employer in Uruguay. They will also ask for notarized data about the company, your salary, and your term of employment.

Foreign Retiree Visa under Law 16.340: This law has received a lot of publicity over the years, because it entitles the retiree to a passport (without the normal wait time) and the importation of a vehicle, in addition to the duty-free importation of household effects that you’d have with the rentista visa. But restrictions apply…so contact an attorney for assistance.

Learn more about Uruguay and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT – Live in First World Comfort in Uruguay…Without Paying for it.