Citizenship of Uruguay
Requirements for Applying for Citizenship
So, you have obtained permanent residency in Uruguay, you like the country, and you have decided to obtain Uruguayan citizenship. Let's review the main list of requirements for foreigners applying for citizenship.
- Only foreigners aged 18 and over can apply for legal citizenship. Children of foreigners must wait until they turn 18 to apply for Uruguayan citizenship.
- To apply for citizenship, families need to live in the country for 3 years, while singles need to live for 5 years. During this time, you must reside in Uruguay for at least 6 months each year, otherwise, the term resets.
- Two witnesses who have known you for 3 years (for married individuals) or 5 years (for singles) must be present at the interview. Witnesses cannot be related to the applicant as: family members, employees, employers, military personnel, active police officers, or election officials.
- To pass the interview, you must have sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language to understand simple questions and provide simple answers.
- You must prove means of subsistence and payment of taxes to BPS.
Ways You Cannot Obtain Uruguayan Citizenship
Different countries have different conditions for obtaining citizenship. In some places, you can get citizenship through large investments or property purchases. In some countries, obtaining citizenship is nearly impossible. In Uruguay, foreigners can only obtain citizenship through naturalization (if they do not have Uruguayan relatives). Below is a list of reasons that foreigners sometimes rely on for obtaining citizenship, but in fact, they are not valid:
- Unlike some countries, Uruguay does not grant citizenship for large investments, the so-called "Golden Passport."
- It is also impossible to obtain Uruguayan citizenship by purchasing real estate.
- The birth of a child in Uruguay by foreigners grants citizenship only to the newborn, and the parents receive simplified permanent residency.
Roadmap for Obtaining Uruguayan Citizenship
Legalization in another country often seems daunting due to complexity and unclear timelines. To make it easier to understand the entire process from the initial consultation to obtaining Uruguayan citizenship and passport, we have prepared a visual step-by-step plan. The steps include timelines from the date of arrival in the country.
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1
Consultation
We discuss your case, your expectations, and possible solutions. At this step, you decide if Uruguay interests you or not.
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2
Appointment with Migration Office
So, you decided to emigrate to Uruguay. The next step is to schedule an appointment for submitting documents to the Migration Office for permanent residency. Remote booking allows you to arrive in Uruguay a couple of weeks before the appointed date and obtain a residence permit within a month from the date of submission. By the appointed date, you must prepare the necessary documents - apostille birth, marriage, and non-criminal records, and other documents, the list of which we will provide during the consultation.
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3
You Arrive in Uruguay
We meet you at the airport, settle you in comfortable accommodation, set up mobile communication, and orient you in the area.
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4
Document Preparation
We translate the necessary documents and undergo a medical examination.
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5
Submission of Documents to Migration Office (2 weeks)
As your authorized representatives and translators, we accompany you to the Migration Office and submit your documents for permanent residency.
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6
Receiving First Cedula - Residency Permit (1 month)
Within a month after submission (or for an additional fee on an expedited basis - within a week), you will receive a plastic card Cedula en tramite - a local ID card, a 2-year residency permit.
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7
Permanent Residency (1-2 years)
After one to two years of waiting, you will be approved for Cedula legal - permanent residency.
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8
Citizenship (4-6 years)
After 3 years for married individuals and 5 years for singles, of residing in the country without breaking the terms (you need to live in Uruguay for more than 6 months each year), you can apply for Uruguayan citizenship. Citizenship documents are reviewed within 1-1.5 years.
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9
Uruguayan Passport
After obtaining citizenship, for international travel, you can order a Uruguayan passport.