Uruguay tourist visa and visa-free entry

The Ministry of the Interior publishes the regime of admission visas, listing the countries with which Uruguay has reciprocity arrangements for ordinary, diplomatic, official and service passports, and whether each passport type needs a visa. Citizens of countries not on the list must obtain a consular visa before travelling, whatever the length of the stay.

Some special rules apply to other nationalities, for example Chinese ordinary passport holders with a valid visa from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or the EU, and Dominican Republic nationals with a US or UK visa, who may enter without a Uruguayan consular visa. Travellers with passports issued for foreigners or with identity travel documents always need a visa.

Visa-required nationals contact the Uruguayan consulate nearest to their place of residence, which explains the requirements. Under Decree 356/018 the tourist visa is for people coming temporarily for pleasure, recreation or leisure. The consulate sends the file to the DNM, which recommends granting or refusing it; authorisation usually takes at least 20 working days. Once the consulate receives the written authorisation, it stamps the visa in the passport.

Foreigners in a regular situation with a valid permitted stay can request an extension (prórroga de permanencia temporaria) in person at any DNM office or inspectorate, with a valid travel document. The request must be filed at least 15 calendar days before the permitted stay expires and costs 225.60 UI; if the stay has already expired, a late extension costs 345 UI. Parents or legal representatives request extensions for minors, proving the relationship with a birth certificate issued within the last year.

The DNM notes that when the purpose of the trip is not tourism, such as work, or when the visitor wants to stay longer than the established 90 days, the corresponding procedure applies. For activities of less than 180 days a provisional identity sheet (hoja de identidad provisoria) may be requested; for longer stays the route is temporary or permanent legal residence.