The process of obtaining Uruguayan citizenship for foreigners allows those with more than 5 years of residence in the country to access a Uruguayan passport and a civic credential. After completing this process, the applicant will be able to apply for a Uruguayan passport and obtain a citizenship card, which will enable him/her to apply for a civic credential after 3 years.
For those starting their life in Uruguay, the first step is to obtain legal Uruguayan residency. This procedure is essential to live, work, and start a business in Uruguay without restrictions, and begins to count the time necessary for the future application for Uruguayan citizenship for foreigners.
The purpose of this article is to explain the key aspects of the Uruguayan legal citizenship process for foreigners. If you have further questions, contact us for free guidance.
Eligibility for Uruguayan Citizenship for Foreigners
All persons over 18 years of age, of good character and habitual residence in Uruguay, i.e., having lived in the country for more than 5 years, may apply for Uruguayan citizenship. This implies that the applicant has not left Uruguay for more than 6 consecutive months during the 5 years prior to the application.
If the applicant has an established family in Uruguay, only three years of residence will be required instead of five. On the other hand, those without family in Uruguay must wait at least five years to apply for legal citizenship.
Requirements for Uruguayan Citizenship for Foreigners
Requirements include:
- Certificate of residence in Uruguay and certificate of migratory movements or certificate of residence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Proof of nationality, which can be an apostilled and translated birth certificate, Uruguayan marriage certificate, birth certificate of a child born in Uruguay, or documents such as passport or DNI proving nationality.
- Proof of livelihood or roots, such as certificates of employment, retirement, business ownership, ownership of rented housing, or, in the case of students, school transcripts and support documents in parents’ names.
- Witnesses confirming the activities in Uruguay, other than family members, employees, military, police or government officials.
Application Process for Uruguayan citizenship for foreigners
The steps to apply for Uruguayan citizenship include:
- Gather all the necessary documentation.
- Schedule an appointment to initiate the process at the electoral court, either online or by phone, depending on the location.
- Show up on the scheduled date with all the documentation.
- Attend the witness hearing on the assigned date with two witnesses and their civic credentials.
- Once all the requirements are fulfilled, the citizenship letter will be granted, allowing the Uruguayan passport to be processed.
- After 3 years of obtaining the letter, you can apply for the civic credential.
In Montevideo, the procedure is carried out at the Electoral Court, while in other regions it is done at the departmental electoral offices. Due to the current situation, it is advisable to schedule an appointment in advance to ensure processing.
The process of acquiring Uruguayan citizenship is free of charge, although it is necessary to consider the costs associated with obtaining the necessary documents to complete the file.
Benefits of Being a Citizen in Uruguay
By becoming a legal citizen of Uruguay, you will enjoy all the rights that Uruguayan law grants to its citizens. This includes the possibility of requesting assistance from Uruguayan embassies and consulates around the world in case of facing legal situations abroad.
Uruguayan citizenship is permanent and does not require renewal, except in cases of voluntary renunciation or obtaining a new citizenship in another country.
Additional Considerations
Documents issued by private entities must be verified by a notary public before filing them with the electoral court. Uruguayan citizenship for foreigners is free of charge and is requested by appointment at the Electoral Court. This citizenship has no expiration date and is only lost in specific circumstances established by law.
Differences between Legal Residency and Uruguayan Citizenship for Foreigners
Uruguayan legal residency is an immigration procedure prior to citizenship, which allows residing, working and investing in Uruguay. Uruguayan citizenship, obtained after 5 or 3 years of residence, grants political rights and access to a Uruguayan passport.
Foreigners may enter and live in Uruguay as residents, but this status has a limited duration and requires periodic renewals. Residents do not enjoy all the rights that Uruguayan citizens have.
In contrast, Uruguayan citizens do not need to renew their legal status and are considered Uruguayan in all legal aspects, enjoying the full rights of a citizen of Uruguay.
For personalized advice and to facilitate your Uruguayan citizenship process, do not hesitate to contact us. We offer you the gateway to Uruguay to live, work, start a business, invest and much more.
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