Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

Living in Uruguay

Information on applying for legal residence

If you are a foreign national and wish to reside in Uruguay, either temporarily or permanently, you can find below the appropriate procedure to follow, depending on your situation, in order to obtain legal residence and a Uruguayan identity card:

Temporary residence

For foreign nationals intending to settle in Uruguay for work, study or other purposes established by law, for a minimum period of six months and a maximum of two years, renewable.

MERCOSUR temporary residence

For nationals of MERCOSUR State Parties and Associated States who wish to reside in Uruguay for up to two years, renewable for the same period.

Permanent residence

For foreign nationals intending to reside permanently in the country.

MERCOSUR permanent residence

For nationals of MERCOSUR State Parties and Associated States who intend to reside permanently in Uruguay.

Permanent residence based on family ties with a Uruguayan national

For foreign nationals who have a family relationship with a Uruguayan citizen (child, spouse, partner or sibling). 

Please note that residence procedures must be carried out once in Uruguay before the National Directorate of Migration (DNM), the competent authority in this matter.

To apply for residence, it is not necessary to complete any prior procedure at a Consulate, unless, depending on your nationality, you are required to obtain an entry visa.

You may also consult the following official Government of Uruguay websites for detailed information about the country and guidance for migrants choosing to live in Uruguay:

Living in Uruguay

Do you want to move to Uruguay?