Digital Nomad Provisional Identity Card

Uruguay's Hoja de Identidad Provisoria Nomada Digital (Digital Nomad Provisional Identity Card) allows foreign nationals who work remotely for companies or clients outside Uruguay to reside legally in the country. Established by Decreto No. 238/022 in July 2022, the program is notably streamlined: there is no minimum income requirement (only a sworn declaration of financial means), and the application fee is approximately USD 9 -- among the lowest globally. Digital nomads are explicitly exempt from mandatory registration with Uruguayan social security agencies.

• Must enter Uruguay first (apply from within the country)
• Proof of remote work for entities based outside Uruguay
• Signed sworn declaration (declaracion jurada) of financial self-sufficiency
• No specific educational, professional, or income requirements
• Digital nomad visa required for visa-required nationalities

Initial application (first 180 days):

• Copy of passport used for entry
• Signed sworn declaration of financial self-sufficiency
• Digital nomad visa (if nationality requires one)

Renewal (second 180 days):

• Valid Uruguayan national identity card
• Sworn declaration
• Criminal record certificates from all countries of residence (6+ months) in the last 5 years, apostilled and translated
• Uruguayan vaccination certificate

Applicants must first enter Uruguay as a tourist. Once in the country, they create a digital identity account on gub.uy and access the online application form, selecting the digital nomad subcategory. Upon approval (notified via email), the applicant visits the Direccion Nacional de Identificacion Civil to obtain the physical provisional identity document within 15 business days.

Processing time: 5 to 20 business days for online approval, plus 1-2 days for the physical document.

Fee: Approximately USD 11 (55.71 Indexed Units).

The application portal is only available in Spanish. The fee must be paid within Uruguay using local payment methods.

The permit is valid for 180 days initially and can be renewed once for an additional 180 days (maximum 360 days total). After the maximum period, holders must apply for a different migration category (temporary or permanent residency) or depart.

Holders may only work remotely for entities based outside Uruguay. Employment with Uruguayan companies or clients is not permitted under this permit.

Uruguay applies a territorial tax system. Foreign-source work income earned by digital nomad permit holders working exclusively for foreign entities is not subject to Uruguayan income tax. However, individuals present for more than 183 days may be considered tax residents, which could trigger obligations on foreign-source capital income (with a tax holiday option of up to 10 years for new tax residents).

Each family member must submit their own separate application with the same requirements. Spouses and dependants cannot be included on the primary applicant's form.