International Living; Residency Made Easy (in Uruguay)? I received an email from International Living yesterday and want to share a few experts from it and my comments. When they refer to "Lee" they are of course referring to Lee Harrison who writes for them, and not me!International Living: Lee was able to take care of his own residency applications—in Ecuador and Uruguay. He says the process was pretty straightforward and efficient. Lee from Pocitos: I can't comment on Ecuador, but I went through the process in Uruguay without an attorney or consultant, but my ex-wife was a native Spanish Speaker. I don't think the process is either straightforward or efficient. It is not difficult, but requires a lot of running around and the legalization of documents can be a big hassle (and your are stuck with doing the process yourself even if you hire an attorney). International Living: In fact, as soon as you apply for residency in Uruguay, you get a special card that immediately gives you all the benefits of residency (like access to healthcare) while your application is processed. Lee from Pocitos: "special card". There is no "special card". There is just an Uruguayan ID, "Cedula". There are two types, a "en tramite" an in process version and a legal resident version. The only difference in the actual cards is whether they says "en tramite" or "residencia legal". Of course that reflects your actual legal status. I received my "special card" around 22 months after I applied for residency! However, my ex-wife received hers the same day. The difference was that all her police checks were done and mine had to wait for Costa Rica. The Costa Rican check took 8 months... so the other 14 months of waiting was part of the inefficiency of the process. Even without the card I had the benefits of residency, in that I was able to remain in Uruguay without leaving every 90 days. That, and travel to MERCOSUR countries, I believe is the only direct "benefit" of residency. I've not heard of anyone being denied "healthcare" or anything else for not having a cedula. The right to work may be another benefit. International Living: I’m going to use Uruguay as an example. As a legal resident of Uruguay, you have all the rights of a citizen except for the right to vote. Lee from Pocitos: After 10 years as a legal resident you also have the right to vote in Uruguay. Uruguay is one of the few countries that confers the right to vote to residents, although 10 years is a long wait. International Living: The process for obtaining residency is simple—it requires only a couple brief visits to the country…perhaps a few days total. Some people get residency on their own, while the majority of readers prefer to use an immigration attorney who can do the job “turn-key”. Lee from Pocitos: I've never heard of anyone doing it 100% turn-key, ie: taking your raw paper work and getting it legalized for you. I think the legalization of the papers is the most frustrating and complicated part for most people. International Living: More importantly, Uruguayan residency makes you eligible for the national healthcare system, so you’re able to use the “free system, ” or the low-cost “paid” system for an all-round better medical experience. For some, this benefit in itself would make it worthwhile to become a resident. Lee from Pocitos: Can someone explain this "free system" and "low cost paid" system? International Living: And the most significant benefit of obtaining legal residency in Uruguay is that you’ve started the clock ticking toward eligibility for a second passport…the best “insurance policy” of all. In Uruguay, you’re eligible after a period of three to five years, depending on your personal situation. I’m eligible now, in fact, and intend to apply. My attorney tells me it’s easy…with no test. Lee from Pocitos: I tend to agree, and certainly the requirements for citizenship listed in the Constitution are "easy, " but they do have a "test" of sorts which converts the whole process into one that is neither straightforward or efficient. International Living: The most-unusual aspect of Uruguay is that there’s no actual in-country time requirement to become a resident…or to maintain your status. In other words, you can be a legal resident without actually living here. Lee from Pocitos: This would tend to contradict "starting the clock" toward a second passport, as the citizenship requirements do require you spend time here. Of course, why do you want to be a resident or citizen of someplace "just in case" if you have no idea what it is like living there? And, you do need to spend time in Uruguay: From Ley 18.250: "CANCELACIÓN DE LA RESIDENCIA Y DE LA PERMANENCIA" "C) La persona con residencia permanente que se ausentare del país por un plazo superior a tres años." Which roughly translates to being absent for more than 3 years can (will?) cancel your permanent residency. Now, I am not trying to be negative about anyone looking for residency or citizenship in Uruguay. I think it is a great place to live. But, that I believe is the key... LIVING HERE! You should be interested in Uruguay because you want to live here, and want to come and explore first. I often find the International Living's writings to emphasize things in a manner that lead too many to feelings of disappointment. Usually with respect to cost of living, but this email gives me the idea that someone can pop into Uruguay for a couple days, get residence, health care, leave for 5 years and return to get citizenship and a passport, just to leave again and without any hint of frustration in the whole process. Wouldn't that be a a grand world. How do you feel about living in Uruguay? How about International Living's writings about Uruguay? | 
