Mercosur Residency in Uruguay: Requirements, Cost and Process

If you hold the nationality of a Mercosur or associated country, including by naturalization, moving to Uruguay is simpler than for other foreigners: you don’t need to prove income and the requirements are minimal. This guide explains how Mercosur residency in Uruguay works. For all routes, see legal residency in Uruguay.

Who qualifies for Mercosur residency?

People born or naturalized in Mercosur member states (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay) and associated states (Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana). This matters for many dual nationals: if you are, for example, a US or European citizen who also holds Argentine, Brazilian or Colombian nationality, you can use the Mercosur route.

Mercosur permanent or temporary residency

	Permanent	Temporary
Duration	No expiry	2 years, renewable once
Proof of income	Not required	Not required
Renewal	ID card only	Within 90 days before expiry

If you plan to stay, apply directly for permanent residency. See permanent vs. temporary residency.

Requirements

• Valid ID or passport.
• Criminal record certificate from the country where you lived for the last five years.
• Valid vaccination certificate under Uruguay’s scheme (Decree 136/2018); for temporary residency, also a health card.
• Birth certificate or naturalization certificate where applicable (temporary residency).
• Passport-style photo.
• Minors: birth certificate and parental authorization; no criminal record needed.

Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a Uruguayan certified translator, except those issued in Brazil. See apostille and legalization.

How to apply

1. Gather your documents, with the criminal record apostilled.
2. Apply online on gub.uy, uploading the documents as PDFs.
3. Pay by bank transfer or payment networks (unless exempt).
4. Immigration review, with a reply by email.
5. In-person appointment at the National Immigration Office (Mercedes 1004, Montevideo, or a regional office) with your originals.
6. Immigration certificate and ID card: with residency in process you can already get your Uruguayan ID card.

Cost

• Application: 557.30 UI; Brazilian and Paraguayan nationals are exempt for permanent residency.
• Immigration certificate for the ID card: 55.70 UI.
• Re-entry permit if you travel during the process: 225.60 UI each.

Notes by nationality

• Argentines: criminal record and birth certificate must be apostilled.
• Brazilians: free permanent residency and no apostille or translation for Immigration.
• Paraguayans: can start permanent residency for free at a Uruguayan consulate and complete it in Uruguay within 30 business days of arrival.

After residency: ID card, work and citizenship

With residency (even in process) you can get an ID card and work. After 3 years of habitual residence with a family in Uruguay, or 5 without, you can apply for Uruguayan legal citizenship while keeping your original nationality (see dual citizenship). Permanent residency may be cancelled after an absence of more than three years.

FAQ

Want to apply for Mercosur residency?

At GlobalTax we prepare your documents, file online and support you through the Immigration appointment and ID card, in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Contact us.