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Uruguay Digital Nomda Visa | A Complete Guide
What is digital nomad visa?
“Digital nomads” represent a lifestyle trend that has gained prominence in the 21st century. With the advancement of information technology, an increasing number of professionals—such as IT workers, media personnel, language teachers, and freelancers—have broken free from traditional office settings. They now have the ability to work remotely from any location worldwide with internet access. This concept of remote work gained significant traction, especially before and during the pandemic.
Once liberated from office constraints, some remote workers choose to embrace a unique lifestyle: they carry their bags and travel to various destinations while continuing to work remotely. These individuals, known as “digital nomads,” experience a blend of exploring new cultures and working from different corners of the world.
To attract digital nomads and promote tourism and emerging industries, governments in at least 65 countries and regions worldwide have introduced specialized digital nomad visas. These visas typically have the following characteristics:
1. Applicants must be remote workers with stable monthly income and cannot be employed locally.
2. Digital nomad visas are essentially extended travel visas, often valid for one year and allowing residence for up to two to four years in the destination country without the option for permanent immigration.
However, in some Latin American and Southern European countries—such as Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, and Ecuador—digital nomads can eventually obtain local permanent residency or even naturalization after accumulating a certain length of stay.
For more information on digital nomad visa programs, explore the details in our “Global Digital Nomad Visas | An Incomplete Handbook” on this websites.
Uruguay Digital Nomad Visa:
As of May 2023, Uruguay has rolled out a new digital nomad visa, officially known in Spanish as Hojas de Identidad Provisoria (Provisional Identity Leaves). This initiative is specifically designed for remote workers and self-employed individuals looking to live and work from the vibrant South American nation.
The visa is initially valid for six months and can be renewed. One of its most appealing features is the potential path to permanent residency: after living in Uruguay for two years, visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent status.
Application Process:
You can complete the entire application process for Uruguay’s Digital Nomad Visa directly on the Uruguayan government’s website. The official page for the Hojas de Identidad Provisoria (Provisional Identity Leaves) is https://www.gub.uy/tramites/hoja-identidad-provisoria.
Here’s a simplified overview of the process:
1. Register: Head to the official website, click “start online process,” then “create my digital id,” and follow the registration steps.
2. Activate Your Account: After registering, you’ll get an email. Open it and click “activate account.”
3. Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa: Log back into the official website. Under the “kind of procedure” option, click “ND.” Fill out the required information and upload your supporting documents.
To apply for this visa, you’ll need the following:
Applicant Identification: This includes a passport valid for the duration of your intended visa stay and one passport-sized photo.
Criminal Record Certificate: You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate from any country where you’ve lived for six months or more within the past five years.
Proof of Remote Work & Financial Stability: You’ll need to demonstrate that your overseas remote income is sufficient to support a comfortable life in Uruguay. While the Uruguayan government hasn’t specified an exact income requirement, and each applicant is reviewed independently, a monthly income of at least $1,500 USD is generally considered sufficient for a smooth application.
Health Insurance: You must purchase health insurance that’s valid in Uruguay and provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination.
4. Pay the Fee: The visa fee is around $15 USD. This fee must be paid through a local Uruguayan bank account; international payments aren’t accepted.
5. Visa Issuance: The processing time is typically around 20 business days. You’ll receive an email notification once your visa is approved. You can print this email or save it digitally and present the information upon your arrival in Uruguay.
Uruguay does not tax residents on their foreign-sourced income. However, any income you earn from activities or resources within Uruguay will be subject to local income tax.
Useful Links:
Uruguay Digital Nomad Visa：https://www.gub.uy/tramites/hoja-identidad-provisoria
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