Uruguay Tourist Visa – Application, Requirements and Fees

The Uruguay tourist visa is one of the most popular entry visas to Uruguay. Are you considering applying to get this visa? It would be best if you first considered your reasons for wanting to travel to Uruguay, to be sure this is the visa you need.

Uruguay is located in South America and is one of the countries in Latin America. Furthermore, it has been called one of the most advanced countries in South America, owing to its developing economy and relatively friendly travel policies. Altogether, Uruguay is an incredible tourist attraction. Foreigners from within and beyond the Americas come to Uruguay yearly for vacations, tours, etc. But first, you need a Uruguay Visa.

This article explains how to get a Uruguay tourist visa. It covers all you need to know about the visa, from required documents to application fees and procedures. Hence, keep reading to get the necessary information to start your application and see it through.

About Uruguay Tourist Visa

A Uruguay visa is a document that the Uruguayan consular authorities give you. It signifies that you are permitted to enter Uruguay for a period to perform certain activities legally. The visa you obtain determines how long you can stay in the country and what you can do while there.

Hence a Uruguay Tourist visa is the kind of Uruguayan visa that allows you to visit Uruguay for tourism, vacation, and other leisure-related purposes. However, it doesn’t permit you to engage in paid labor or other commercial activities. The Uruguay tourist visa is valid for 90 days but can be extended by another 90 if necessary.

Who Needs a Uruguay Tourist Visa?

Under normal circumstances, anyone visiting Uruguay for tourism or vacation needs a tourist visa. However, over eighty (80) countries have visa-free travel agreements with Uruguay, letting their citizens enter the country with only a national passport for up to 90 days. The most prominent of the lot are all 26 countries in the European Union and all other South American countries (besides Suriname; only diplomatic passport holders from there are visa-exempt).

Conversely, if you’re not from one of the Uruguay visa-exempt countries, you belong to the category of people who need a tourist visa. Check here for the updated list of Uruguay visa-exempt countries.

Required Documents for Uruguay Tourist Visa

When applying for a Uruguay visa, it is customary to submit a few documents to the consular authorities for checking. These documents will help them determine if you meet the necessary Uruguay visa requirements. If you do, they will approve your visa application, or else, they’ll reject it.

Here are the required documents for a Uruguay tourist visa;

1. Application form
2. Passport-sized photograph
3. National passport
4. Medical report/certificate
5. Proof of accommodation
6. Travel itinerary
7. Proof of Funds

#1 Application Form

First, you must complete the visa application form. In this form, you’ll fill in your personal and travel details, the type of visa you’re applying for, and whatever else it requests. Ensure you enter the correct information and review them again; entering the wrong details could lead to disqualification.

#2 Passport-Sized Photograph

When you have completed the application form, you’ll need to attach one passport-sized photograph to it. This passport must be a recent one, no more than six (6) months old and must meet all the requirements the Uruguayan embassy in your country specifies. Such conditions include dimensions, background color, etc.

#3 National Passport

Your national passport is a travel document your country issues to you. It identifies you as a foreign national when in Uruguay. The national passport is so essential that even citizens of visa-exempt countries have to come along with it when they enter Uruguay; the only exceptions are citizens of South American countries (except Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname) who can come in with only an ID card.

Since your national passport will hold your Uruguay tourist visa, you must submit a valid one. The national passport will only be considered valid if it has at least two (2) blank pages left and has an expiry date at least six (6) months beyond your intended return date.

#4 Medical Report/Certificate

Before visiting Uruguay, you must undertake a COVID-19 test and a general medical checkup and present the report at the embassy. You must also purchase a travel health insurance plan covering your stay in Uruguay.

#5 Proof of Accommodation

When you apply for a Uruguay visa, you need to prove that you will have a place to stay when you get there. You can do this by presenting hotel reservations or a letter from a friend/relative who’s a citizen or resident of Uruguay stating that they’re willing to host you while in the country.

#6 Travel itinerary

Your travel itinerary consists primarily of your round-trip tickets (i.e., to and from Uruguay). This document will convince the consular authorities that you have an intended travel and return date for your journey, both of which fall within the visa validity period. The itinerary could also contain whatever major activity you intend to carry out within Uruguay, whether you’ll switch cities often, etc.

#7 Proof of Funds

Finally, coming to Uruguay for vacation or tourism means you intend to move around and probably take home some souvenirs. Therefore, you must prove that you have enough money to cover your trip’s expenses. You can do this by presenting a 6-month-long bank statement.

How to Apply for a Uruguay Tourist Visa

Once you have confirmed that you possess all the required documents for the Uruguay tourist visa application, you can now follow the application process below;

1. Contact the Embassy of Uruguay in your country. They will either have an embassy, a consulate, or a visa application center within a different country’s embassy in your country. Contact them and ensure there are no additional requirements for your country. Confirm what photograph specifications they use, then book an interview appointment with them.
2. Gather all Your Documents and do one of two things; mail them to the embassy via a courier service or put them together and get ready for your interview date. If you choose the former, you must mail it a few days before your interview so the embassy can get it and start processing it.
3. Show up for Your Interview on the agreed date. The consul will ask you questions concerning your trip as they deem fit. Ensure you are punctual and that you answer all questions correctly. They may repeat questions they already asked in the form to be sure you didn’t fill in false details. Have all your records straight.
4. Wait for the Verdict. After your interview, there might be a few extra days for processing before your visa is approved. Once you’re notified, you have 60 days to come and get your passport stamped; after then, you have 60 more days to use the visa, or it becomes invalid. If your visa is approved, you can proceed to pay the visa fee.

Visa Fee and Processing Time

The Uruguay tourist visa costs US$42; however, it can be slightly different depending on your country. You don’t have to pay the visa fee unless the visa is approved, hence, you can confirm this from the embassy on the day of your interview.

The processing time for a Uruguay tourist visa is usually between 14 and 20 working days. Therefore, you should begin applying before that time, so you don’t have to deal with any delays. An ideal beginning time would be a month before your intended travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. Can I work in Uruguay on a tourist visa?

No, you cannot. You have to obtain a work visa to work in Uruguay. However, you can go job hunting while in Uruguay on a tourist visa. Make sure to return to your country and reapply for a work visa before you begin working. When you return to Uruguay to resume work, you’ll also apply for a temporary residency permit.

#2. Is it safe in Uruguay?

Uruguay has been ranked as one of the safest countries in South America. It is one of the most socially advanced countries on the continent and has no known cases of terrorism and insurgency. So as long as you keep away from dark alleys at night and watch out for pickpockets in public places, you should have a swell vacation there.

#3. Can I extend my Uruguay visa?

You can extend Uruguay tourist and business visas. If your tourist or business visa is going to expire and you need more time, you can request an extension of up to 90 days at the ministry of foreign affairs. For work, study, and other visas, you need to get a temporary residency permit instead before the visa validity expires.

#4. Is Uruguay a Schengen country? 

Uruguay is not part of the Schengen agreement. However, it is one of the countries with a visa-free travel agreement with the Schengen area. Hence, its citizens can travel to any Schengen country for up to 90 days without needing a visa.

#5. What official language is spoken in Uruguay?

The official language in Uruguay is Spanish, as it is in most Latin America. However, you can also find Portuguese-speaking people in some parts of the country.

Conclusion

Suppose you’re planning a vacation of any kind to Uruguay, and you don’t plan on engaging in any paid labor or commercial activity. In that case, the Uruguay tourist visa is your first call. It gives you all the freedom to move around and enjoy your stay in the country.