Uruguay: Residency, Citizenship and Second Passport November

Obtaining Uruguayan Residency Welcoming, friendly and open immigration policy No need to invest Simple (but bureaucratic) process 12 to 18 months After 3/5 years:citizenship/passport

What documents do I need? Most documents are obtained abroad: 1. Birth certificate 2. Marriage certificate 3. Proof of income 4. Police record. US citizens can do FBI check or Interpol in Uruguay * # 3 and # 4 expire after 6 months.

Stamping your documents The first three documents (the birth certificate, marriage certificate and proof of income) need to be apostilled in the state where they were issued. Instructions on how to apostille: =authorities.details&aid=353

What if my country is not part of the apostille treaty? Canada, for example You send the documents to the Consulate of Uruguay The Consulate stamps (“legalizes”) them

What other documents do I need? Other documents (which do not need apostille or stamping): Tetanus shot report 3 passport size pictures For ladies: pap smear and mammogram

Proof of Income: Key Requirement Prove that you have an income stream consistent with your living standard There are many options to prove this:  Pension from abroad, retirement fund  Tax returns  Lease of a property abroad or in Uruguay  Dividends or interest  Work contract in Uruguay

Proof of Income: Key Requirement There isn´t a minimum amount. Income has to be consistent with your lifestyle. Income must be received in Uruguay, so it´s convenient to open a bank account. If your proof of income document is from overseas, it will have to be apostilled.

Address and time-in-country Uruguay requires that you provide a real address (it can be a temporary one). The way to prove it: certificate issued by the neighborhood police station. Presence in Uruguay, you must show intention to reside (Uruguay = home). Spend at least half the year in Uruguay.

The Application Process Timing is key. The process is different in Montevideo from the rest of the country: If you file in Montevideo: First, get your birth certificate apostilled at home Find a property in Montevideo, certificate of address. Request appointment at the NMO. Date: 6 months later

The Process (Montevideo) You will have 5/6 months to gather your documents and send them to our office 15 working days prior to filing date. Proof of income Marriage certificate (if applicable) Non US police records (if applicable) We translate them and prepare them.

The Process (non-Montevideo) If you file elsewhere (Punta del Este, etc), to request an appointment at the NMO: Bring all your apostilled documents Find a place to live, get certificate of address Request your appointment at the NMO (date: 15 days later)

On the Appointment Date: We will escort you to the NMO You will be issued a document to get your temporary cédula Get the NMO to issue a document for Customs to bring your goods duty free Once you have requested your appointment you can stay indefinitely

The Cédula (ID) Every citizen and legal resident (including temporary ones) are issued with a national identity card called “cédula de identidad” Temporary one: 1 year, and can be renewed Permanent one: 3 years, and can be renewed every 3 years CIs are used for almost everything in Uruguay

The Cédula (ID) Uruguayan natural citizen Resident in process

Bringing Your Personal Belongings You may bring (free of import duties) all your household belongings How?  Moving agent  Arrival certificate (NMO) + post bond. When residency is granted, the bond is returned.

Act for retirees Benefits  Quicker access to Uruguayan passport, family  Possibility ot import vehicle duty free Requirements  USD 100,000 investment for 10 years  Income must be retirement type (USD 1,500+) But…  Passport does not include citizenship

Citizenship After residency: option to obtain citizenship (and a full passport) Citizenship can be obtained 3 / 5 years since you have first arrived in Uruguay 4 to 6 month process Requirements are simple: gather them over the 3/5 years

Useful Tips Send your immigration lawyer copies of the documents before travelling, so they can be verified and translated in time for the filing. Work on the wording of your income proof document with your immigration law firm Do the FBI check in the US: faster Open a bank account in Uruguay.

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