Concierge service for Uruguay Investor Visa. You hire My Latin Life; local immigration specialists (and licensed counsel where required) file on your behalf. The deliverable: residency or visa status filed through local specialists — card or approval in your name — not advice, not a DIY packet.
Uruguay’s investor visa grants residency to those who invest in real estate or a business in the country — with only 60 days/year of physical presence required to maintain status. One of the lowest presence requirements for any investor visa program in Latin America. We handle the full application with our on-the-ground legal team in Montevideo.
See our full track record & client outcomes →
Program Overview
Many consider Uruguay the “Switzerland of South America” for its free-market policies, relative wealth, and stability. The country consistently ranks as one of the safest and least corrupt nations in Latin America.
Investors can obtain permanent residency by spending as few as 60 days a year in the country, provided they make a qualifying investment in real estate or in a business that creates new employment for Uruguayan citizens. While permanent residency is granted upon application approval, processing takes 12 to 18 months. A 2-year temporary permit is issued immediately on application, so there is no interruption to your plans while you wait.
How to Qualify
To qualify for the Uruguay Investor Visa, applicants must make one of the following investments:
🏠 Real Estate Investment
- Invest 3.5 million Unidades Indexadas in Uruguayan real estate
- Passive investment — no business operations required
- Property must be held for the duration of residency
- 60 days per year physical presence required
💼 Business Investment
- Invest 15 million Unidades Indexadas in a Uruguayan company
- Must generate at least 15 new full-time jobs for Uruguayan workers
- 60 days per year physical presence required
USD equivalents are approximate and based on current UI exchange rates. The Unidad Indexada is inflation-indexed and its value fluctuates over time.
Benefits
Application Process
- MLL reviews your investment plans and confirms eligibility
- Our Uruguayan legal team assembles the full document package
- Application submitted to Dirección Nacional de Migración Uruguay
- 2-year temporary residence permit issued immediately on submission
- Permanent residency approved after 12–18 months processing
- Maintain 60 days/year presence to keep residency status active
*The exact process and logistics may vary based on your investment structure and current processing timelines. We confirm the specifics during your consultation.
What MLL Does
- Full document preparation and legal review by licensed Uruguayan immigration attorneys
- In-country submission and follow-up with Dirección Nacional de Migración
- Investment structure guidance — real estate vs business route
- Coordination with notaries, property registrars, and relevant Uruguayan authorities
- Regular status updates throughout the 12–18 month permanent residency process
- Dedicated point of contact from initial consultation through to permanent residency approval
Ready to Start Your Uruguay Residency?
Book a consultation call and we will walk you through the process, timelines, and exactly what you need to qualify.
Book a Consultation Call →Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
Submit your investor visa application to the Dirección Nacional de Migración Uruguay. A 2-year temporary residence permit is issued immediately, allowing you to live and travel freely in Uruguay while awaiting permanent residency approval.
Processing typically takes 12 to 18 months. Once approved, you receive permanent residency. You only need to be present in Uruguay for 60 days per year to maintain your status.
After three years of residency if married to a Uruguayan citizen, or five years otherwise, you may apply for naturalization. Note that for citizenship purposes, applicants must be physically present in Uruguay for most of the qualifying year.
Naturalization requires a conversational Spanish interview and evidence of integration into Uruguayan society. Uruguay permits dual citizenship — you do not need to renounce your existing passport.
Uruguay Passport Access
Uruguay Passport Stats
Settlement Blocs: MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela)
Visa-free destinations include the Schengen Area (26 countries), the United Kingdom, all MERCOSUR member states, and most of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Uruguayan passport is the strongest in the Southern Cone and ranks among the top five in all of Latin America.
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Program Authority: Dirección Nacional de Migración Uruguay, Ministerio del Interior.
Legal Basis: Finance and Economy Ministry Decree 163/2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for the Uruguay Investor Visa?
The minimum investment is 3.5 million Unidades Indexadas in real estate, approximately US$525,000 at current exchange rates. Alternatively, you can invest 15 million Unidades Indexadas in a Uruguayan business that creates at least 15 new full-time jobs.
How long does it take to get permanent residency in Uruguay?
Processing typically takes 12 to 18 months. While your application is being processed, a 2-year temporary residence permit is issued that allows you to remain in Uruguay legally. Permanent residency is granted once the application is approved.
How many days per year do I need to spend in Uruguay?
To maintain Uruguay permanent residency, you need a minimum of 60 days per year of physical presence in the country — one of the lowest physical presence requirements of any residency program in Latin America. Note that citizenship applications require significantly more physical presence during the qualifying period.
Can I invest in real estate without running a business?
Yes. The real estate investment route is fully passive. You purchase qualifying property worth at least 3.5 million Unidades Indexadas (approximately US$525,000) and maintain 60 days per year of physical presence. No business operations or job creation are required.
How long until I can apply for Uruguayan citizenship?
After five years of legal residency, you are eligible to apply for naturalization. If you are married to a Uruguayan citizen, this is reduced to three years. You will need to demonstrate conversational Spanish in an interview and show sufficient integration into Uruguayan society.
Does Uruguay allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Uruguay permits dual and multiple citizenship. You do not need to renounce your existing citizenship to become a Uruguayan citizen. Whether your current country permits dual citizenship is a separate question that depends on your nationality.
What countries can I visit visa-free with a Uruguayan passport?
The Uruguayan passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 176 destinations, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, all MERCOSUR countries, and most of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is one of the strongest passports in South America.
Related Services
- How to Get Uruguay Residency
- Paraguay Residency
- Argentina Rentista Visa
- Costa Rica Investor Visa
- Chile Investor Visa
Tax Savings Estimate
Uruguay grants a 10-year tax exemption on foreign income to new residents. During this window, your foreign salary, dividends, and capital gains are zero-taxed in Uruguay.
After 10 years, Uruguay taxes foreign income at 7-12%. The exemption makes Uruguay attractive for a 10-year planning horizon. Paraguay vs Uruguay for tax →
