Uruguay: Update on Short-Term Work Authorizations

Government authorities have clarified details on the short-term work authorization (called Provisional Identity Card – Hoja de Identidad Provisoria), including restrictions and documentary requirements for renewals; and eligibility for remote workers. The following information was clarified in the update: 

• Foreign nationals can apply for initial Provisional Identity cards for up to a total of 180 days. 
• Foreign nationals who have reached the cumulative 180 days on their initial Provisional Identity cards can then apply for a one-time renewal for a period of up to an additional 180 cumulative days within the same calendar year. The renewal process requires the foreign national to submit apostilled and translated (if required) criminal clearance certificates from the countries where they have resided in the five years prior to the application and vaccination certificates which must undergo a validation process in Uruguay, among other documents.  
• Foreign nationals who obtain the one-time renewal must wait at least one full calendar year before they are able to apply for a new Provisional Identity Card. 
• Remote workers applying for a Provisional Identity Card do not require sponsorship from an employer/company, either locally or foreign. The Uruguayan government had made Provisional Identity Cards available to foreign nationals seeking to work remotely from Uruguay in August 2022 but had not clarified the application requirements until now.