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Pre-Arrival Checklist
The most important preparation for Uruguay happens before departure. The apostille process and document gathering is the single biggest time constraint - begin at least 3 months in advance.
- Criminal background check (FBI for US citizens): order at least 3 months before planned arrival - processing is 8–12 weeks; must then be apostilled (State Department for US citizens) and Spanish-translated
- Criminal checks from all countries lived in 5+ years: each country's national police or equivalent; EU citizens may need their home country check as well as any long-term residence country
- Health insurance: arrange international coverage before departure - SafetyWing ($45–80/mo) or Cigna Global; carry proof on arrival
- Finances: activate a Wise card for fee-free UYU withdrawals from arrival day; transfer enough to cover 2–3 months of expenses
- Accommodation: book furnished apartment in Pocitos or Punta Carretas for first 6–8 weeks via Airbnb or 'Expats in Uruguay Housing' Facebook group - do not sign long-term leases sight unseen
- Immigration attorney: identify and contract an Uruguayan immigration lawyer or escribano (notary) before arrival - fees $500–1,200; essential for avoiding errors in the DNM process
- Spanish preparation: reach conversational level before arrival - government offices and daily services are Spanish-only; Rioplatense Spanish is very learnable online