How to apply for Uruguay's digital nomad permit

Uruguay's digital nomad residency is for people who work for themselves or for companies abroad.

The process is two-part. To apply to stay for six months as a digital nomad, after entering Uruguay as a regular tourist, applicants complete an online form with personal details and signs an affidavit that they have the means to support themselves financially.

This short video takes you through the process.

The permit has a nominal cost (under ten dollars) and is received by email. After six months, applicants can apply for a further six-month extension or—if they love Uruguay and want to settle—permanent residency.

For the digital nomad extension, applicants must prove they have a clean criminal record in all of the countries they have lived for more than six months in the previous five years. A vaccination certificate issued in Uruguay is also required.

It is worth noting that in Uruguay the export of technology services is tax-exempt. A great advantage for digital nomads working in tech.

At this time there is no salary requirement but this—and other requirements—may change in the future.

MORE INFORMATION

[nairilee]

Hello everyone, I would just like to add some information after my experience with the digital nomad application process. First off, it is a very easy application process but there are a few things that can cause some confusion and anxiety. I've seen everyone say you will receive your certificate within 10 days, but you don't. It took 2 months for me to receive mine. I'm not sure if 10 days was how it was initially, but it's no longer as quick as that. Also, you need to be aware of how the Uruguayan government counts the 180 days. When you do the application, you will see there's a "from date:" option. You might think they count from this date, but in my experience they will count the 180 days from the day you pay for the application. Make sure your 180 days will be counted from then. Therefore, I absolutely wouldn't recommend getting to Uruguay and doing the application immediately because your 180 days will then lap over your initial 90 days. Do the application near the end of your initial 90 days so that your extra 180 days are counted separately. I hope this helps anyone else and that you enjoy your time in Uruguay. It's a lovely country.

[MariaAlvarez-pfom]

I would just like to write about my experience with the digital nomad visa because hopefully it will help someone else down the line. Yes, the application and payment process is easy. What comes after is not. I don't know who told whom you'll get it in 10 days because you absolutely do not. I received mine 14 days -- yes, FOURTEEN DAYS -- before the expiration of my nomad visa. No matter how many times you phone, you will get nowhere. They either won't answer or your queries will be dismissed. Anyway, this means that I don't have enough time to renew the visa because I can't get an appointment to get the cebula (identity card). You need a cebula, you ask? Yes, apparently. I didn't know about this either because the only thing anyone ever mentions in these videos and blog posts is the permit that will be e-mailed to you. No one ever talks about this cebula you'll need. The e-mail in question doesn't mention the cebula either. Your permit will, though, which will come as quite a surprise to you. But you need it to renew the nomad visa and you need an appointment to get it... Good luck getting that appointment. You definitely won't 14 days before your nomad visa expires. So, now I'm all out of luck. I'll have to leave the country, digital nomad permit in hand, and hope that they understand what it's for and that I didn't "overstay" on my visitor's visa. So, my recommendation is: if you want to do this and you haven't received it in 10 days, then you absolutely need to start contacting people who aren't part of the government. Try Live In Uruguay, hopefully they can help you. If you want to renew it, make sure you get everything well in order before your 180 days are up. Your stuff needs to be translated by public translators. Good luck getting a response out of them, only one bothered to respond to my queries. Depending on where you're from in the world, this translation won't be cheap either. The only nice thing is that you can get vaccinated for free. I hope this helps someone else down the line and saves them from the horrendous stress I've experienced because of this digital nomad visa. If it worked the way it's advertised, it would be great. But you absolutely need to be aware that, at this point in time, it doesn't.

[IainHenderson-id]

Thank you very much. Nice to know. The catch is of course that you have to do it in Uruguay. Oh well. Soon.

[XlixTrades]

You are literally the best with all your help and information !!!

[evogreen]

Hello Guru, I have gone though applying for the Digital Nomad process twice now and I used this video both times. It was very helpful. However, one big item that this video misses is that once you qualify for the digital nomad permit you also qualify to get an ID card in Uruguay. This is very important especially if you want to work in Uruguay or seek permanent residence in Uruguay.

[kizens]

very nice and helpful, thanks a lot 😉

[victorianogueira]

Como se ampara la familia (esposa e hijos) de un aplicante a Digital Nomad? Gracias

[michaelmeier]

This was helpful. Thanks! Do you actually need to upload proof of employment/clients, financial means, and clean criminal record or is the signed affidavit enough? Will you be asked for supporting documents at any point? Getting actual documents to show my (blank) criminal history from multiple countries and having them translated is going to be incredibly tedious and probably expensive, so I'd rather only do it if asked.

[ogrig]

Thank you for helpful video. Let's say i come to Uruguay on tourist visa and stay 90 days then i get digital nomad permit and stay 180 more days. When can i apply for permanent residency?

[tedangle]

P.S., Santander does have branches in the U.S., East coast

[cindylouthank]

Hello Guru, Thank you so much for your information! They also recommend you at the Uruguay Academia institute! Do you know if the process has speed up? My application went through, and I paid at Abitab in my neighborhood. My application was accepted as I can track the process. I did have my stay as Jan 1st, my entry date to 180 days from there. I'm only concerned if it takes over two or three months that I may not have time to renew? Also, I see for the renewal that I need a FBI background check. I did to that before I left the USA in mid-December. I was cleared and they sent me a email with their logo on it. I'm still waiting for the paper form in the mail. My boyfriend will bring it when he visits in March. Will that be sufficient for the renewal or does it need to be apostilled? Or is apostilled on required for residence? If I don't hear back in a week or two, should I contact a specialist to see about speeding up my Digital nomad visa application? Do you have recommendations for who I should work with if you think that may help?

[ilm_yanfa]

Thank you very much for the information !
I'm from a country where I need to apply for a tourist visa before entering Uruguay,
Do you think this permit could replace the tourist visa ? (travel to Uruguay without visa but with the DN permit ?)
And for the payment, can I ask a friend in Uruguay to pay for it ?
Thank you so much in advance !

[michelcecere]

thanks a lot, i have a question : how to go from digital nomad visa to permanent residency ?

[tribuayamaycs]

Hi Karen, I have a question for you: If you apply for the Digital Nomad Residency, would you be able to obtain a Uruguayan Driver's License? Thank you

[WeDidntExpectthis]

Hi, I have heard that to become a permanent resident there you need to have several vaccinations. Is that also the case for just having the digital nomad residency permit which can be renewed? Thanks

[ms.]

So wonderfully helpful, thank you! Would it be possible to esign the affidavit as opposed to it?

[drewmcghie]

Hi Karen, very helpful but raises a few questions at least for me. (1) What is the maxm duration of the visa? (2) Will my passport be stamped or else, where is the Visa visible to any interested party i.e Passport Control? (3) I am already in a delayed process for my Visa, will this affect a Nomad Application? Cheers, Drew

[TheAIAdvancement]

Hi Karen! 😃
I have a quick question. Can Pakistani Nationals apply for this visa ? If yes, Can we also apply though your online portal? . Because we don't have Uruguay embassy in Pakistan
I'm looking forward for your reply 😃

[danielguiora]

Great tutorial. Thank you Karen. is there a link where the information about the visa con be extended? for example, is it possible to open a bank account as soon as visa have been approved, do we need to present tax returns, can you leave and enter the country at will in these 6 months, etc?

[ahmedkhattab]

Hi, thank you for your detailed instructions!. I've a single question. How much time does it take for you to reply? Best, and have a good day.