Published: 28.10.2026
Under a decree issued on October 8, foreigners who entered Uruguay before January 1, 2026 may qualify for permanent residence by arraigo if they meet the stated conditions. The pathway covers, among others, certain asylum applicants and people whose asylum claims were rejected; applications under the scheme can be filed from 2027.
According to the source, the new scheme could provide a route to permanent residence for around 27,000 foreigners already in Uruguay who intend to settle there. Key conditions include lawful entry, no legal impediment to staying, no other residence permit, no criminal record in the previous five years, and proof of financial support; some applicants must also withdraw their asylum applications. Once the process begins, applicants receive a temporary identity document, while permanent residence facilitates housing rentals, credit and service contracts, and later access to citizenship procedures. The measure is especially relevant to people already in Uruguay without a stable immigration status; those planning a future move should note the entry cut-off of January 1, 2026.