The second smallest South American nation offers big incentives to digital nomads, from high-speed internet to tax benefits to specialty coffee shops to modern coworking spaces. Beyond modern infrastructure, Uruguay’s rich cultural heritage, sprawling grasslands, and hearty barbecue draw tourists and remote workers to the shores of one of Latin America’s best-kept secrets.
We’ve created a guide covering the steps to live and work in Uruguay as simply and soon as possible, detailing everything from the visa application process and entry requirements to day-to-day living. Below, we delve into the allure of Uruguay — unveiling the practicalities, culture, and unique experiences that make the small but dynamic nation a top choice for those who choose to make their work-life an adventure.
An overview of Uruguay's digital nomad visa
Like many countries post-pandemic, Uruguay has signaled its desire to attract more foreign workers to its shores. The government introduced its Digital Nomad Visa in 2023 — a permit allowing remote workers to live and work within their borders for up to a year.
The initial Digital Nomad Visa period covers your first six months in Uruguay, after which you can renew your visa for another six months. Visitors who fall in love with the country are invited to apply for permanent residency after their visa ends.
Eligibility requirements for Uruguay’s Digital Nomad Visa are straightforward, according to the Uruguayan government’s Live in Uruguay initiative. Here's a quick rundown of what you need to qualify:
- Remote employment. As the name of the visa suggests, you must work remotely for a company or clients outside of Uruguay (like Howdy), either as a freelancer, employee, or business owner.
- Income. While there aren’t specific income requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa, you must sign an affidavit stating that you will have sufficient means to support yourself for your time in Uruguay.
- Clean criminal record: To obtain — and later renew — your visa, you must provide documentation of a clean criminal background check for all the countries you have lived in for more than six months within the past five years.
- Vaccine immunization records: You must also provide documentation of your immunization record to renew your Digital Nomad Visa. Your vaccines should be up to date with Uruguay’s Vaccination Schedule.
How to apply for Uruguay’s Digital Nomad Visa
To attract more foreign talent, Uruguay has simplified the visa application process. There’s a two-step process that every digital nomad must complete to obtain a visa.
Step 1: Applying for the visa
Digital nomads may first enter the country as tourists. Once they've arrived, they can fill out an online form with personal details on the Uruguayan government’s website and submit their affidavit of financial self-sufficiency.
Note: Uruguayan government websites are in Spanish. If you don’t speak the language yet, you can translate the page into English using your browser’s translation tool. The translation will be imperfect, but luckily, Live in Uruguay has created this step-by-step video for English speakers on filling out the Digital Nomad Visa application.
The documents you will need to obtain the Digital Nomad Visa include:
- Your completed application form
- A valid passport
- A passport-sized photo
- Your affidavit of self-sufficiency
The application costs $55.71 Uruguayan pesos (roughly $10 in the US) and must be paid from within the country. The processing time for the Digital Nomad Visa application typically takes up to a few weeks.
Step 2: Obtaining your documents and extending your stay
Once you have your visa, make an appointment at the National Civil Identification Office to get a Uruguayan ID.
It’s important to note that you will need this ID to extend your visa after six months, so it’s worth getting it out of the way as soon as possible. Once your initial six months are up, you can either reapply for six additional months as a Digital Nomad or apply for permanent residency.
To renew your Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll need to provide documentation of a new criminal background check, plus Uruguayan documentation of complete vaccination records.
Why Uruguay?
Now that we've got the nitty-gritty of the Digital Nomad Visa application out of the way let's dive into what life there will look like. Here’s a short guide to some of the highlights of Uruguay living, from work to play to social life:
Work infrastructure. Uruguay is a highly modernized and connected country. Most residential areas throughout the country offer fiber optic internet connection, while an inexpensive SIM card can keep you connected almost anywhere else. Plenty of co-working spaces and cafes in the major cities make it easy to stay productive and connected at all times.
Time zone. Digital Nomad life often involves navigating the complexities of communicating across international time zones. Uruguay is located in the UTC-4:00 but uses a UTC-3:00 offset and doesn't observe Daylight Savings. This location is ideal for many international connections — standard work days overlap with companies in Eastern Europe all the way to the US West Coast.
Community. Uruguayan cities like Montevideo and Punta del Este are home to burgeoning digital nomad and expat communities, offering many networking opportunities and social connections. Meanwhile, Uruguayan locals, known as Uruguayans or "Uruguayos," are warm and welcoming. Hospitality is a cornerstone of Uruguayan culture, where locals take pride in sharing their traditions, cuisine, and way of life with travelers.
Safety and society. With low crime rates and long-standing political stability, Uruguayan tourists and expats enjoy a clean, modern, and safe environment. The country boasts a strong commitment to human rights and social welfare, reflected in its progressive policies on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality.
Cost of living. Compared to other Latin American countries, Uruguay's moderate cost of living lets most remote workers live comfortably. Many business owners and remote workers are drawn to the country by attractive tax incentives — particularly the territorial tax system, which exempts foreign-earned income.
Nature. If you’re looking to unplug, Uruguay offers a year-round temperate climate ideal for outdoor adventure. Though small in size, the country boasts diverse landscapes, from pristine beaches in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio to the rolling hills and vineyards of Carmelo. The lush countryside dotted with estancias invites exploration on horseback, while the wetlands of Laguna Garzón and Santa Teresa National Park showcase rich wildlife and biodiversity.
Culture. Cultural attractions in Uruguay blend influences from indigenous, Spanish, and African history alongside modern amenities. Montevideo blends the contemporary with the traditional, offering theatres, museums, festivals, and art galleries. Historic colonial towns like Colonia del Sacramento, Salto, and Paysandú feel like stepping back into the past, with architecture, cobblestone streets, and plazas that harken back to the county’s agrarian past.
Cuisine. Traditional Uruguayan cuisine is rooted in European — particularly Mediterranean — cultures and strongly emphasizes red meat and wine. Staples include asado (barbecue) and chivito, a juicy, towering beef sandwich. Mate is the national drink of Uruguay, and you can find the earthy caffeinated tea pretty much everywhere.