If you are looking to relocate abroad, you will need to find out your what your options are, both in terms of the country you are seeking a move to and also how you can make it a reality. It is no surprise that the number of people considering undertaking such a life-changing move across borders is increasing following the COVID-19 pandemic. We have all witnessed the breaking down and rebuilding of society across many sectors, experiencing new ways of living, both enforced and by choice, all the while understanding how the wake of the pandemic could lead to new opportunities and potential for development in both our personal and professional lives. This leads us on to Uruguay, one of Latin America’s pioneering nations for different services and industries, something that expats are beginning to take notice of and consider for their own relocations.
Referring back to the idea of options, a theme that is ever-present in the realm of immigration, Uruguay is no exception. However, we have covered the Latin American nation on our blog before, and so we will be focusing on just one route to residency in today’s article, specifically, the ‘rentista’ residency program. Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let us define some key terms in case you find yourself unfamiliar with relocation and the different possibilities that are associated with this umbrella term. Residency can be broken down into two key terms, temporary residency and permanent residency, the former being a visa that entitles you to a specified time-limited stay in a country while the latter represents a stay of unlimited time or until you are legally entitled to apply for citizenship.
It is important to note that not all residencies and residency programs allow the applicant to apply for eventual citizenship, so while you are researching your choices, make sure you look into this! Though, if you are considering Uruguay, luckily for you, the ‘rentista’ visa does allow you this opportunity. Below we will explore some more features of this visa and also some benefits of relocating to Uruguay.
Aside from the usual copies of documentation such as your passport and other identification, there are not too many requirements for potential applicants. One thing that many of you will consider when comparing your candidates is money, as lots of countries require deposits or investments as a trade-off for the reward of residency/citizenship, and for the ‘rentista’ visa in Uruguay, the only real stipulation is proof of an income of at least US$1500 per month. This figure is relatively low in the grand scheme of things, especially considering the heavy economic impact of the pandemic, perhaps making Uruguay a more attractive prospect for relocation.
We mentioned in passing the necessity of documentation when applying for residency, more specifically, you will need the following:
· Birth/marriage certificates
· Police certificate from your previous nation(s) of residence in the last 5 years
· Proof of income (to show you earn the US$1500 we spoke about earlier)
Your documents will need translating into Spanish, and it is also necessary to pass a number of medical tests in Uruguay before collecting your temporary residence card while the processing of your ‘rentista’ residency application is underway. In most cases this is around one year, which may seem long, however, with the temporary residency card you are not obliged to spend this period in your home country.
If you are considering Uruguay and are coming around to the potential for relocating there, maybe some of the other advantages of the ‘rentista’ visa in Uruguay could help you decide. Please find them below:
· Duty-free shipping of your belongings from overseas
· Right to live and work
· Citizenship application after three years for families and five years for single people
· Passport provides visa-free/permitted entry to 150 countries including the UK and EU nations
So, if you are interested in finding out more, contact us today! At Creimerman, our team of professional global citizens would be happy to help you with your personal or professional cross-border ventures and help make them a success.