Moving to Uruguay

Thanks to our many years of experience and good collaboration with our local partners, moving to Uruguay is a totally hassle-free process. Whether you live in the USA, Uruguay or France; we will take all your worries off your hands when moving to Uruguay. We offer you personal support during this exciting step of moving to Uruguay. Like any other relocation, moving to Uruguay is a major event.

Atlas International Movers is there to facilitate your journey from door to door. Atlas International Movers calls at various destinations all over the world each week to pack, load and deliver household goods. Do you have any questions? Our experts would be happy to help! We are the perfect moving company to arrange your move to the country of Uruguay.

What do you have to arrange yourself?

Most foreigners do not need a visa to enter Uruguay. Depending on the country of citizenship, a tourist permit may be sufficient for a stay of up to 90 days with the possibility of renewal for another 90 days. A tourist permit is obtained showing a valid passport at the port of entry. In the case that you require a visa to enter Uruguay, you must obtain it in your home country. We recommend asking for this information at the nearest Uruguayan consulate. 

For citizens of most countries in the Americas and Europe no visa is required to study in Uruguay. If a visa is not required, the document needed to enter Uruguay is a valid passport or, for citizens from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile, a national identity card. 

If you stay for less than one year

In Uruguay, most foreigners do not need a visa. They arrive in Uruguay as common tourists (showing their passports at port of entry) and may legally stay in the country for a period of 90 days. Before this time limit expires, you must visit the National Immigration Office, located in the old city of Montevideo (Misiones 1513, phone +598 152 1800) where your tourist allowance will be renewed for another 90 days.

A second option is to leave Uruguay before the 90-day permit expires and re-enter with a new 90-day tourist permit. For citizens of countries that require a visa to enter Uruguay, it must be renewed at the National Immigration Office 90 days after arrival. A third option is to apply for temporary residence.

If you stay for more than one year.

If you plan to stay in Uruguay for more than one year, you must apply for temporary residence at the National Immigration Office. The process may require the legalization and translation of documents as well as medical exams. The International Office can guide you in this process, but before traveling you should contact the consulate of Uruguay in your home country for information regarding the procedure and the documents you must bring to Uruguay.

Because the website of the Ministerio del Interior of Uruguay is completely in Spanish, it can be difficult to navigate. We recommend contacting the nearest Uruguayan consulate. 

What rights will my visa give me in Uruguay? Every visa has different rights and conditions, so it’s important to find out what you’re entitled to and what your restrictions are while living in Uruguay. We advise you to visit the Ministerio del Interior of Uruguay website for more information and advice, it’s all in Spanish. For more information about visas in Uruguay please visit this website, it gives all the information in English

Can I become a Uruguayan Citizen?

Can I become a Uruguayan citizen? Yes, there are several ways of acquiring Uruguayan nationality. You automatically become an Uruguayan national if one of your parents is Uruguayan when you are born. Or if you’re married to a Uruguayan citizen. Before you apply for the Uruguay citizenship, make sure you have met these requirements: 

• You have resided in Uruguay for at least 5 consecutive years or 3 consecutive years if you have family in the country
• Good character, own a business or have a job in the country
• Uruguay does admit dual citizenship. So you won’t lose your original citizenship.
• You are able to speak Uruguayan language
• You have a fixed income, or you are employed to a job

For more information on how to become a Uruguayan national, contact the municipality where you live. That is also where you have to submit your application. This website also gives full information about the Nationality Law in Uruguay in English.

You are moving to Uruguay, what’s next?

So you’re moving to Uruguay! You have a job offer/work contract with a work residence visa. Now it’s important to make the relocation to Uruguay as smooth as possible, that’s why Atlas is the perfect partner for your relocation. In addition to moving to Uruguay, you will also have to start looking at everything Uruguay has to offer. Why else is moving to Uruguay right for you? 

Uruguay is known for it’s beautiful flora and fauna, full of culture, nice people and good food. But today’s visitors should certainly try to visit the smaller cities and villages and experience the older Uruguayan culture. 

These are some of the most beautiful places you should visit whilst staying in Uruguay:

• Explore Montevideo: Uruguay’s capital city is an eclectic mix of Neoclassical and colonial architecture, African influences, and modern European flair.
• Mix with the Jet Set in Punta del Este: Punta del Este is Uruguay’s most famous beach, and it deserves a mention because it has often been called “the Monaco of the South”—a resort area where models, actors, and the rich come to relax, play, and enjoy haute cuisine.
• Discover the Past in Colonia del Sacramento: Best known as just Colonia, this small city is also one of the oldest in Uruguay. Colonia’s Barrio Historico or old town center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the town’s main attraction.
• Relax in Hot Springs: Termas (hot springs) are fairly popular in Uruguay, with Termas del Arapey and Termas del Dayman. Arapey is the oldest thermal resort in the country, with natural spring waters that reach 39 degrees Celsius and are supposed to have therapeutic properties.
• Hike in Punta del Diablo: A sleepy village of about 1,000 residents, Punta del Diablo swells up to an impressive 25,000 residents during the high season (December to February), when visitors come here to enjoy a quiet escape in a fabulously untouched area of soft sands in the Atlantic coast.

Of course there is so much to see and you don’t have to do everything at once. That is the beauty of living in Uruguay, there is always something new to discover. Do you want to know more about the country and all that it has to offer? Have a look at their tourism website!

Living in Uruguay

Moving to Uruguay is exciting and new. It’s a beautiful country with lots to offer. Living in Uruguay is easy and fun. Uruguayans don’t care so much about the way you behave as long as you respect their culture and country. In order not to annoy or offend the locals, foreign visitors should be familiar with at least the basic rules.

Luckily there are multiple websites dedicated to making living in Uruguay easier for expats. If you want more information about Uruguayan culture and social etiquettes, try this website. You’ll find loads of useful information about Uruguay and Uruguayan etiquette.

How do we proceed?

The process of moving to Uruguay is different for every client, it depends on which country you’re moving from and if you’re already a Uruguayan citizen. But our system stays the same! The employees of our partners will pack your household goods in seaworthy packaging, after which they will be transported by sea, while small consignments will be sent by air. They will visit you at your home and will discuss with you what is required in order to emigrate to Uruguay. They will draw up a detailed inventory and will explain to you the specific rules for the customs clearance of your belongings, to ensure you are fully prepared for moving to Uruguay.

Thanks to our many years of experience and good collaboration with our local partners, we will ensure that you will have no surprises when moving to Uruguay. If you’re planning to move to Uruguay and you want us to help you move, you can request a free quote or use one of the options below.

A call request

We will be more than happy to give you a call to discuss your requirements, answer any questions you may have and plan an appointment for a pre-move survey. Let us guide and advise you to make your transition as smoothly as possible. Feel free to leave your name and number, one of our customer service agents will call you shortly to assist you.

A video survey

You have come to a stage that you require to request a quotation for your upcoming move. You may still have some questions and prefer a video survey above an in-home survey. Select a day and time and we will reach out to you to conduct a video survey. Using your mobile device you can show us the items you would like to move.

A survey form

You know exactly what to move and would like to learn more about the flexibility of our services and related pricing. Just follow the process, complete your details, tell us about your requirements and we will get back to you shortly with our quotation for your requested services.

If you are not really sure on what to choose, a call request is the easiest solution. That way we can answer all of your questions! If you, like us, like to prepare for a relocation then you may find our checklist very helpful. It gives a timeline with tips on how to prepare yourself for your relocation! Download our checklist at the bottom of this page!

Your own relocation coordinator

Atlas International Movers guides your move from door to door. If you have any questions during the relocation process, please contact your personal relocation coordinator. This person can answer all your questions about the move. This way you can prepare for your life in Uruguay without any problems.

If you are moving to Uruguay and you want to make an appointment with us or one of our partners, please feel free to contact us or view our website! If you would like storage for your household effects before, during or after moving to Uruguay, this is also possible. Click here for more information about inventory storage at Atlas. If you want to know more about Atlas International Movers, read more about our moving company here!