'Entry Requirements for Uruguay' Travel

Entry Requirements for Uruguay

The website I have entered below gives you all the specifics. The data entry is quite tedious. Delta Airlines used to have a simpler form on their website but it disappeared a long time ago.

• IATA Travel Information

That website above may not be of much help because it is really based around people coming here on vacation - but THAT is the trick! The way to enter Uruguay is simply to come on a tourist visa (its not cheating, its not underhanded, it is actually how the system works!)

I have constantly heard this issue about needing a return ticket to come to Uruguay - it was something that I also fretted about when I was moving here (on a one way ticket), but to say that they barely looked at me or my passport when I arrived would be an understatement.

You come to Uruguay, enter on a 90 day tourist visa (I have NEVER been asked to show anything other than my passport and I have never heard of anyone else needing to either). In fact, I know people living here for over 10 years without holding a visa, and I know people who own businesses here and legally employ Uruguayan staff (so the government knows they are here) and yet they are still technically a tourist!

That being said - from quiet rumblings and slowly emerging changes Uruguay may (although VERY slowly) begin to take more notice of who is entering their country, for how long and with what intentions....but at the rate they move I'm sure we won't have to worry about that for a LONG time!

Visa

Passport that doesn't expire too soon

Return or Onward ticket

Non-damaged paperwork

It also gives the penalty to the airline. It seems quite low in Uruguay US$100-US$600 plus taking the person to their next destination.

The kind of rules that when the airlines get picky prevent you from getting on the flight to begin with.

• You Either Need a Visa or a Ticket Back to the US…

It seems Uruguay is getting a little less friendly toward the influx of foreigners...apparently they have started introducing new laws slowly which put more requirements for residency, so it wouldn't surprise me if they start getting picky at the airport too - but these are all new developments.

However, if you travel with a non-American you may find that their papers are much more often scrutinized by the airlines.

Now, has anyone had immigration in Uruguay ask for the return/onward ticket upon entry?

> ticket upon entry?

No.

When last I entered the ROU (June 2009) I was last in the queue at immigration so I took the opportunity to ask the officer about whether a return ticket was officially required for tourists as my sister is planning a visit next March. He said no and asked his fellow officers whether they had heard of such a requirement. They all said no but one of them pointed out that certain foreign airlines seemed to have their own rules about return tickets.

What is paid at aiports before flying is the AIRPORT FEE.

Airport fee is levied on passengers flying abroad or within Uruguay.

Airport fees are applied by most airports around the world thru the carriers tickets. That was the case at Carrasco Intl until some airlines failed in paying the airport for the services being rendered, then the system was changed and now airport fee is paid at cashiers located at airportīs departing main hall.

By the way, Montevideo, Colonia and Carmelo ferry passenger terminals also apply a TERMINAL FEE, which is charged thru ferry tickets.

In addition, many Bus Terminals across the country also apply a Terminal Fee, not mattering if taking a national or international service.

With regards to gaining permanent legal residence, note that lattest Residence Law, passed in 2008, grants authomatic permanent residence to relatives, spouses or concubines of any Uruguayan citizen.

If applying as concubine (living together but not having married, not mattering if hetero or gay relantionship) 2 witnesses are needed and affidavits must be presented.

Summarizing, it is very easy to enter in Uruguay if holding an Western Hemisphere, EU/EEA, Turkey, South Africa, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand or Israel passport.

All other nationals must get visas which are previously approved by Immigration HQ in MVD.

Residence is gained ALWAYS after having entered the country, since it is just about changing the legal status from TEMPORARY VISITOR (tourist) to RESIDENT (temporary or permanent).

Since Uruguay needs immigrants to secure development and sustaintability, all foreigners are welcome if complying some requirements, mainly related to not having a previous police record, obtaining a work contract or having enough incomes.

Yes indeed.

Because of changes in the law in 2007, people with criminal records are forgiven their offences after 5 years though they have to show that they served their sentences and/or paid their fines.

Before that date, ex-offenders had to be interviewed by the Ministry of Justice before being granted residency status but it seems that the FA believes in the rehabilitation of offenders.

This happened some years BEFORE Tio Pepe became President. :-)

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