Consul General del Uruguay

Note: the following text is a non-official translation, provided for informative purposes only

Requirements to apply for legal residence in

Uruguay for persons 18 years old and older.

Any foreigner bearing temporary immigration status in the country (i.e.. tourist), may request permission to change his/her status to legal resident provided the maximum period of 180 days since arrival to the country has not been exceeded.

The immigration authority ("Dirección Nacional de Migración" from now on in this document will be referred as DNM) will resolve on a case by case basis.

The letter will be presented at the main office (Montevideo city) or at any of the equivalent inspection offices around the country.

The letter requesting the change of status should contain the following information:

In the case of Uruguayan's sons/daughters or spouse the category change request is also required but permanent residency can be initiated prior to obtain the authorization from the immigration authority.

This also rules for son/daughters under 18 years old and spouses of foreign legal residents or foreigners who have already started their change category procedure.

When the DNM authorizes the category change request, the foreigner must start the legal residency procedure presenting the following documentation:

i. Job offer in written in company's letterhead signed by the entitled person/s detailing position or work to be developed by the requestor, monthly salary amount –which should be enough for his/her maintenance- and a notary public certificate certifying company existence stating: legal capacity, validity, socal term, purpose, address in Uruguay, inscription in the Social Security Bank ("Banco de Prevision Social"/BPS) and the Tax Office ("Dirección General Impositiva"/DGI) and person/s entitled to sign on behalf of the company. ii. Job contract subject to performance requires notary public certification detailing the company information and contract terms ( i.e. job description, remuneration and period).

b. Employees of individuals (i.e.: maid services). Sworn declaration signed by the employer and notary public certification of: employer's signature, job agreement, monthly salary amount and BPS registration. These requirements could be substituted by a notary public certification as indicated above without the sworn declaration.

c. Entrepreneurs and shareholders must present a certification issued by a public notary or accountant, including company information (legal capacity, validity, social term, purpose, address in Uruguay, registration in BPS and DGI) and stating the requestor's role in the company, and estimated monthly incomes.

d. Entrepreneurs and independent workers must present a sworn declaration stating the activity and a notary public certification of the signature, company information (address, purpose) registration in BPS and DGI and estimated monthly incomes.

e. Persons who live off interest/rents, retirees and pensioners in foreign countries must present a notary public certification indicating their status and monthly incomes he/she will receive in Uruguay (minimum required United States dollars 1.500,00/one thousand five hundred).

g. Uruguayan government employee's or Uruguayan retiree's spouse: must present last receipt from the public entity –salary or retirement benefit.

h. Religious. Must present a letterhead certificate issued by his/her congregation or church stating that they will take responsibility on requestor's expenses together with a notary public certification of legal entity status (personeria juridica) and other information of the congregation/church. The notary public certification requirement could be substituted for a letter from the Curia or the Archbishopric.

i. Demonstrate student status by official certificate from the educational institution. In case of a private institution a notary public certificate certifying the existence of the institution and stating its information: legal capacity, validity, purpose and address.

ii. Statement of sources of funding/income by notary public certification or bank certification issued by a bank established in Uruguay evidencing sources of funding/income of the student.

i. Present a notary public certificate certifying that the requestor is the only owner of the real estate (information to identify the real estate). It is accepted that the ownership of the real estate is a household (spouses, spouse and sons/daughters). It is not accepted that the real estate is owned by a company owned by the requestor.

ii. Present a notary public certificate certifying that the requestor intents to buy the property (the requestor has signed a buying compromise agreement) and that this agreement has been registered at the corresponding office "Registro de promesas de enajenación de inmuebles a plazo".

To take into consideration: The certificates stating sources of funds/income can be issued by public notary or accountant . In both cases they must be presented with "montepío" notary stamp or professional stamp, respectively.

3. Health Certificate: issued by the Health Department of Uruguay or by other authorized medical institutions. In all cases it must show the purpose of legal residence in Uruguay.

From the country where the applicant lived for the past five years prior entrance to Uruguay. Last address must be provided from the country of his/her nationality

6. Identity card: This refers to document borne by the requestor when entering Uruguay or the current valid document of identity. If there is a difference between the last name stated in the original identity card and the one stated in the Uruguayan identity card, the requestor must present a legalized birth certificate translated into Spanish if applicable or the certificate of birth registered in the Uruguayan Civilian Registry ("Registro Civil").

7. Marriage license or certificate: If the requestor is married to a Uruguayan citizen or to a Uruguayan legal resident, he/she must present the spouse's identity card ("cédula de identidad").

All the required documents must be presented to start with the permanent residency procedure

All foreign documents presented must be legalized by the Uruguayan Consulate in the country of origin and the Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations and translated into English if applicable.

If the requestor is less than 18 years old, besides the previous requirements, he/she must present an authorization from his/her parents to become a Uruguayan legal resident. Must demonstrate student status (from the age of 5 years old), by official certificate from the educational institution. In case of a private institution a notary public certificate certifying institution existence and stating its information is requested. If the requestor is not going to live with his/her parents, they must state who will be the adult responsible in the country. Consent from this person will be requested.

Provisional Uruguayan identity card: the requestor will be able to obtain the first provisional identity card (as requestor for legal residence) only when the criminal background report is filed.

Information about Health Certificate: can be obtained at the Uruguayan Department of Public Health or at other authorized medical institutions. In all cases the purpose of legal residence must be shown.

In all the "Departamentos" (States) around the country there is an office of the Department of Public Health where you can obtain the health certificate for legal residence.

Note: The following text is a non-official Translation of Law 16.340, provided for informative purposes only.

Regulation of benefits given to foreigners by Law 16.340 (dated December 23rd. 1992) Regulation

Article 1. If a foreign person fulfills the following conditions:

is a retiree in a foreign country
has obtained the permanent residency in Uruguay after December 15^th 1992

He/she will be entitled to the benefits stated in the Article 3^rd of the regulated Law subject to the presentation of the following documentation to the Uruguayan Migration Office (“Dirección Nacional de Migración”):

a. Documentation certifying his/her retiree status and a steady and permanent minimum monthly income of $ 1,500 (US Dollars one thousand five hundred). Legitimate documentation translated into English if applicable and legalized by the Uruguayan Consulate in the place of issuance.

b. Purchase of a real estate property or Uruguayan government securities according to the following:

i. Purchase after December 15th 1992 of a real estate property located in Uruguay with residential (home) purpose with a minimum value of $ 100,000 (US dollars one hundred thousand). The property could not be sold for a period of 10 years. Property title or notary public certificate should be presented to demonstrate ownership.

ii. Purchase of Uruguayan government securities of a minimum nominal value of $ 100,000 (US Dollars one hundred thousand). The securities will be under custody of the “Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay” for a minimum period of 10 years.

The real estate investment can be exchanged for the Uruguayan government securities and vice versa. Any of those assets could be exchanged by a risk investment of the same minimal amount provided it has been approved by the “Oficina de Planeamiento y Presupuesto”. If the real estate value is less than the minimum required it can be complemented by Uruguayan government securities. All changes require authorization from the “Ministerio del Interior”.

Article 2. Persons who comply with the requirements stated in Article 1 will be entitled to obtain following benefits:

A. Introduction into the country during the 6 months after the permanent residence is approved of the following goods free of all custom, import and exchange duties:

1. Furniture, appliances and related items to be used at the requestor’s house (custom authorities will review and evaluate the quantities and purpose).

2. 1 car subject to the following conditions:

The car cannot be sold or transferred for a period of 4 years after the introduction into the country.
The car will be registered at the car registry (“Registro de Vehículos Automotores”) documents will indicate status described above (A).
The car must be insured according to the regulations existing for status described above (A).

B. Issuance of current passport for the requestor, spouse and son/s/daughter/s (less than 18 years old) according to Artículo 17 Decreto 167/993.

C. Keeping life and retirement insurance benefits contracted abroad.

Article 3. Foreigners interested in obtaining the benefits of the Law 16.340 could start the legal residence procedure with their relatives at the corresponding Uruguayan Consulate or at the Uruguayan Migration Office (“Direccion Nacional de Migracion”).

In both cases, applicants should comply with the requirements of the Artículo 6to dated February 28th, 1947.

To comply with sources of funding/income the requestor should comply with the terms stated in Article 1 A) and present a signed commitment to proceed with the investment required in B).

In case procedure is started at the DNM, to comply with criminal record requirement the following information is needed:

From the country where the requestor lived the last five years prior entering in Uruguay. Last address must be provided.
US citizens may present a criminal record issued in USA, legalized by the Uruguayan Consulate in USA and translated into Spanish or they can request their criminal record at the INTERPOL office in Uruguay.

To comply with health certificate requirement, a health certificate issued by “Ministerio de Salud Pública” (Ministry of Public Health) or by another authorized medical institution must be presented. In all cases it must shown the purpose: “radicación” or “residencia legal en el país” (legal residence).

Foreign retirees and pensioners from the organizations (with seat in Uruguay) stated below must present a certification issued by the “Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores” (Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations) subject to the compliance of the above mentioned conditions:

International organizations
Embassies
Consulates
Military missions
Commercial missions

Article 4. Once the permanent residency request is approved by the Ministry of the Interior, the “Dirección Nacional de Migración” will contact the “Dirección Nacional de Aduanas” (Custom authority) in order to authorize the introduction of furniture and appliances.

Article 5. Once the signed commitment to proceed with the investment required in Article 1 B) is presented the “Dirección Nacional de Migración” will communicate: a) the “Dirección Nacional de Aduanas” in order to authorize the introduction of the car and b) the “Dirección Nacional de Identificación Civil” (Uruguayan Direction of Civilian Identification) in order to issue the passport.

Article 6. Violation of the rules concerning prohibition of sale of the real estate property and/or work as employee will produce the loss of custom benefits and passport.

Artículo 1°. Toda persona extranjera que haya adquirida la situación de retiro o jubilación en el exterior y que, con posterioridad al 15 de diciembre de 1992, hubiere obtenido y obtuviere la residencia permanente en la República, tendrá derecho a los beneficios establecidos en el artículo 3° de la Ley que se reglamenta, siempre que acredite ante la Dirección Nacional de Migración lo siguiente: A. Su situación de retirado o jubilado y la percepción, en forma regular y permanente, de un mínimo de U$S 1.500 (dólares americanos mil quinientos) mensuales, por concepto de jubilación, pensión u otros ingresos o rentas generados en el exterior. Esto se comprobará con documentación fehaciente, traducida cuando correspondiere, y visada por él Consulado Uruguayo del lugar de su expedición, en el caso de que no exista en el lugar agente consular se admitirá prueba supletoria, la que será evaluada por las autoridades migratorias. B. La adquisición, con posterioridad a la fecha indicada, de una propiedad inmueble ubicada en el territorio nacional con destino a casa habitación de un valor mínimo de U$S 100.000 (dólares americanos cien mil), que no podrá enajenar durante un período de diez años; debiendo presentar el título de propiedad o certificación notarial. En su defecto, la adquisición de valores públicos emitidos por el gobierno del Uruguay, por un valor nominal mínimo de U$S 100.000 (dólares americanos cien mil), los que permanecerán bajo custodia del Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay, por un período mínimo de diez años. El inmueble podrá ser cambiado por valores públicos y vicecersa, o cualquiera de ellos por una inversión de riesgo de igual monto mínimo, que deberá ser previamente aprobada por la Oficina de Planeamiento y Presupuesto. Asimismo, cuando el valor del inmueble no alcance el mínimo exigido, podrá complementarse con valores públicos. Para efectuar cualquiera de estos cambios será necesaria la autorización del Ministerio; del: Interior.

Art. 2°. Las personas que hubieren acreditado hallarse en las condiciones del artículo anterior, tendrán derecho a los siguientes beneficios: A. La introducción, dentro de los seis meses de autorizada la residencia permanente en el país, por única vez, libre de todo trámite cambiario y exenta de toda clase de derechos de aduana, tributos o gravámenes conexos, de los siguientes bienes: 1) Los, muebles y efectos de su casa-habitación, en cantidades adecuadas a sus necesidades, según estimación que efectuarán las autoridades aduaneras. 2) Un, vehículo automotor, que no podrá ser transferido por un plazo de cuatro años contados desde que es introducido a la República, cuyo régimen especial se hará constar en los documentos de empadronamiento y en el Registro de Vehículos Automotores; y deberá ser asegurado por responsabilidad civil extracontractual por el monto máximo admitido por la, compañía aseguradora, antes de entrar en circulación. B. El otorgamiento de pasaporte común, cuya expedición se regirá por lo dispuesto en el articulo 17 del Decreto 167/993 de fecha 13 de abril de 1993, incluyéndose en este beneficio al cónyuge e hijos menores de 18 años del titular de la gestión que hubieren obtenido la residencia permanente. C. El mantenimiento en el territorio nacional de los seguros de vida y aquellos destinados a cobertura jubilatoria que hubieren sido contratados en el exterior.

Art. 3°. Los extranjeros interesados en acogerse á los beneficios de la Ley que se reglamenta podrán iniciar, conjuntamente con sus familiares, gestión para obtener la residencia permanente, ante el Consulado uruguayo más próximo al lugar de su domicilio habitual o ante la Dirección Nacional de Migración, si hubieran ingresado al territorio nacional en calidad de temporarios; dando cumplimiento, en ambos casos, a los requisitos previstos en el artículo 6° del Decreto de 28 de febrero de 1.947. Para la comprobación de los medios de vida, bastará que el titular de la gestión acredite su situación de retirado o jubilado en las condiciones señaladas por el artículo 1° literal A) del presente Decreto y, manifieste bajo su firma, su propósito de efectuar la inversión prevista en el literal B) del mismo artículo. Cuando el trámite para obtener la residencia se inicie directamente ante la Dirección Nacional de Migración se admitirá, a los efectos de la justificación de la buena conducta, la presentación del certificado expedido por las autoridades policiales o judiciales competentes del país donde hubiere residido el gestionante los últimos cinco años, traducido, cuando correspondiere, y legalizado; el estado sanitario satisfactorio podrá ser comprobado con certificado expedido por las dependencias del Ministerio de Salud Pública habilitadas a esos efectos o por instituciones privadas de asistencia médica oficialmente habilitadas para ello. La condición de retirados, jubilados y pensionistas extranjeros de organismos internacionales, de embajadas, de consulados y de misiones militares y comerciales extranjeras acreditadas en la República, que al 15 de diciembre de 1992 reunieran los requisitos establecidos en la Ley que se reglamenta, deberá ser justificada al presentarse la solicitud de residencia permanente en la República, con certificación expedida por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores.

Art. 4°. Resuelta favorablemente por el Ministerio del Interior la solicitud de residencia permanente, la Dirección Nacional de Migración lo comunicará a la Dirección Nacional de Aduanas, a fin de que autorice la introducción de los muebles y enseres de la casa-habitación.

Art. 5°. Una vez que el interesado acredite haber dado cumplimiento a lo previsto en el literal B) del art. 1° de este Decreto, la Dirección Nacional de Migración librará comunicaciones a la Dirección Nacional de Aduanas para la introducción del vehículo automotor y a la Dirección Nacional de Identificación Civil para la expedición de pasaportes.

Art. 6°. La violación de la prohibición contenida en el artículo 2° literal C) de la Ley que se reglamenta, que refiere a la enajenación de la propiedad inmueble, o de la dispuesta en su artículo 5°, por la que se impide el ejercicio de una actividad remunerada en relación de dependencia, significará la pérdida de las exenciones aduaneras previstas en el artículo 3° literal B) de la referida Ley, así como la caducidad del pasaporte obtenido de conformidad con el literal C) de este último artículo

Art. 7°. Comuníquese, etc.-