Montevideo Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Nationals holding ordinary passports issued by these states may enter Montevideo without a visa for tourism or business meetings.
The 90-day period is extendable once for a further 90 days at the Dirección Nacional de Migración office in downtown Montevideo.
Citizens of India, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic and a handful of other countries must obtain an online Autorización de Ingreso before boarding a flight to Montevideo.
Cost: Moderate government fee
Print the PDF authorization. Airlines will ask for it at check-in. The eTA is single-entry; if you depart to another country and return you must apply again unless you hold a valid Uruguayan visa.
Travelers whose nationality is not covered above must secure a tourist visa in advance from an Uruguayan consulate.
Holders of valid multiple-entry visas or residence permits issued by the United States or a Schengen country can transit without an Uruguayan visa for up to 24 hours. But leaving the airport requires the appropriate visa or eTA.
Arrival Process
Carrasco International Airport is compact. The walk from aircraft to immigration rarely exceeds ten minutes.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Uruguay allows reasonable quantities of personal goods and modest duty-free allowances for arriving passengers.
Prohibited Items
- Fresh meat, cold cuts, dairy, risk of foot-and-mouth disease
- Untreated wooden souvenirs, pest control
- Firearms without prior import permit from the Interior Ministry
Restricted Items
- Medications containing narcotics, carry original prescription plus Spanish translation
- Drones, must register with DINACIA before arrival
Health Requirements
Uruguay has no compulsory vaccinations for entry. But routine immunizations should be up to date.
Required Vaccinations
- None for travelers arriving from non-endemic areas
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A (food-borne)
- Hepatitis B (if planning medical procedures or tattoos)
- Routine boosters: MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, influenza
Health Insurance
Not mandatory. Yet medical care in Montevideo is expensive for visitors. Complete travel insurance covering hospitalization and evacuation is strongly advised.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Uruguayan immigration requires both parents' notarized consent when a minor enters or exits with only one parent or a third adult. Carry the child's birth certificate (or certified copy) translated into Spanish to avoid delays.
Dogs and cats need an ISO-compliant microchip, rabies vaccine given at least 30 days before arrival but within 12 months, and a USDA/official vet health certificate endorsed by your home country's authority. Present documents to SENACSA staff at the airport.
Tourists can request a single 90-day extension in Montevideo. For longer residence (work, retirement, digital nomad), apply for a temporary or permanent residency visa through Migración once in-country; processing involves police certificates, income proof, and medical exam.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
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