Uruguay is a South American country with a subtropical climate. Endless sandy beaches, famous wine regions, and unique thermal springs all characterize the Eastern Republic of Uruguay as a prime location for remote work.
The country borders Brazil and Argentina, where digital nomads from around the world have already flocked. Uruguay is no exception and offers freelancers highly favorable conditions for relocation compared to other countries.
The Republic’s authorities have minimized bureaucratic formalities for obtaining a nomad visa. Uruguay provides all the conditions to make digital nomads feel as comfortable as possible while working in the country. For instance, high-speed Internet access is available even in the most remote regions of the Republic.
You can enter the country with a regular tourist visa. If you’re visiting for sightseeing purposes, a visa-free regime is in place for up to 90 days within six months.
Specifics of Uruguay’s Freelance Visa
The relocation program (officially called “Hoja de Identidad Provisoria Nómada Digital”) is designed for self-employed individuals, owners of foreign companies, and employees working for companies registered outside the Eastern Republic of Uruguay.
One of the main benefits of Uruguay’s relocation program for freelancers is the absence of requirements regarding monthly income. However, they will need to prove the absence of a criminal record.
- We will answer all your questions
- We will help you choose the best option
- We will guide you through every step or do everything for you
Initially, applicants can apply for legalization in the country for a period of six months. To do this, a special online form is completed, and the digital nomad, under oath, provides guarantees of financial security during their stay in the country. The entry permit is received by email. After the legalization period ends, the status can be extended for another six months (or apply for permanent residency in the country).
What Taxes Does a Freelancer Pay
Digital nomads are exempt from paying income tax on income earned abroad. This rule applies even if the freelancer is formally recognized as a tax resident of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay.
In the foreseeable future, the country’s authorities plan to introduce a fixed income tax rate for IT professionals who are not residents of the country. It is expected to be 12%.
How Much Does the Visa Cost
When applying for legalization in the South American country, freelancers must cover the application processing fee, which is only $11.
The transaction can only be made from an account opened in a local bank. An important condition is that the visa fee must be paid no later than 24 hours after submitting the documents.
Required Documents
To participate in the “Hoja de Identidad Provisoria Nómada Digital” program, the digital nomad must provide:
- Application;
- Passport;
- Written commitment confirming financial security;
- One photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm);
- Criminal record certificate;
- Employment agreement with a foreign employer;
- Vaccination certificate for yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A;
- Receipt for registration fee payment;
- Health insurance.
Recent Changes in Uruguay’s Visa Policy
In 2024, the Eastern Republic of Uruguay offers the best relocation conditions for digital nomads on the South American continent.
The opportunity to avoid taxes, minimal bureaucratic barriers, and the absence of income requirements make the country highly attractive for relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The initial permit from the moment of approval gives the right to stay in the country for 180 days (6 months).
With timely extension – 12 months (6+6 months).
Proof of remote work must be provided. An employment contract with a foreign company, confirmation from an employer of remote employment, documents on registration of your own business abroad, or proof of work as a freelancer (with foreign clients) are suitable.
The standard application review period is up to 7 days from the date of submission of all documents. The permission is sent by e-mail.
The procedure consists of 4 key steps:
- Entry on a tourist visa/visa-free regime;
- Submission of an online application (via the platform of the National Civil Identification Administration) with the creation of a Digital ID;
- Payment of the visa fee;
- Obtaining a temporary identification document after a personal visit to the migration authority.
To extend it for an additional 6 months, you will need to resubmit the documents.
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry into the country. The passport must remain valid for the entire period of the intended stay in Uruguay.
There are no formal requirements for the amount of monthly earnings. The applicant must sign an affidavit. The application becomes proof that he has the financial means to support himself. In practice, it is recommended to have an income of at least $2,000 per month.
The application is downloaded from the official website of the Government of Uruguay at the time of application submission. You need to provide your name, passport number, country of birth and confirm your financial viability. After filling out the form, you should upload it back to the system.
A certificate of non-criminal record is not required for the initial 180-day visa. However, it will be required to extend the visa. From all countries where the applicant has resided for more than 6 months in the last 5 years.
It must be issued no later than 90 days before the date of the renewal application.
A vaccination certificate may be required to extend the visa. It must be issued in Uruguay. This is an important condition for those who plan to extend their visa for the next 180 days.
The visa fee is $10-11. Payment must be made within 24 hours after submitting the application. Important: Payment is accepted only within Uruguay. It is not possible to use foreign bank accounts. You can pay the fee at your local bank or payment center by presenting a receipt from the application.
After the visa is approved, you must register with the National Office of Civil Identification within 15 business days to receive an ID card. The procedure takes 1-2 days.
To do this, you will need the original passport, confirmation of approval of the digital nomad visa (an e-mail with permission), a receipt for payment of the visa fee, and a passport-sized photo.
It is recommended to start the renewal process 30-45 days before the expiration date of the original visa. This is due to the need to collect documents: criminal record certificates from all countries (the preparation period is from 2 weeks) and a vaccination certificate (issued in 3-5 working days).
Applying for permanent residence is possible after 1 year of continuous stay on a digital nomad visa. The waiting period for permanent residence approval ranges from 6 to 18 months, during which the applicant retains legal status.
- Visa fee ($10-11 for initial registration, $312 for renewal);
- Health insurance (for example, SafetyWing from $45 per month);
- Translation of documents into Spanish ($20-30 per page);
- Notarization of a criminal record certificate ($50-80).
IT specialists are exempt from paying income tax when working for foreign companies. For other categories, income earned outside of Uruguay is not taxed in the first 5 years of residency. VAT (22%) does not apply to international income.
Yellow fever vaccination certificate ($80-120 in private clinics), apostille of documents ($30-50 per document), postal services ($15-20).
Payment is only possible within Uruguay. After submitting the application, the system generates a receipt for payment via the Abitab or RedPagos networks (1-2% commission). A bank transfer from a local account is accepted (a temporary INN is required). Foreign cards and cryptocurrencies are not accepted.
The visa fee will not be refunded even in case of a negative decision. The exception is technical errors during payment (double debit), which are disputed through the Migración support service.
Yes, it is possible to obtain Uruguayan citizenship through a Digital Nomad Visa, but it is a multi-step process.
- Getting a Digital Nomad Visa.
- Residence permit (residence permit) – after a year of official residence in the status of a digital nomad.
- Permanent residence (permanent residence).
- Citizenship by naturalization. After 3 years of residence in Uruguay (official marriage) or after 5 years (in the absence of a citizen’s spouse).
Leading expert on visas and residence permits in the EU. Since 2016 I specialize in the development and coordination of programs for digital nomads. Comprehensive support at all stages of the migration process.
Login with Google