Uruguay Implements New Residency Route for Asylum Seekers, Addressing Backlog of 30,000 Applicants
Uruguay has introduced a new permanent residency route for asylum seekers, primarily Cubans, who have been awaiting decisions for years. A decree, dated October 8 and reported on October 11, allows foreigners who entered Uruguay before January 1, 2026, to seek permanent residence through 'arraigo,' or proven roots. To qualify, applicants must either withdraw a pending asylum claim or have had one finally rejected. They must have entered Uruguay legally, have no entry or stay bars under migration law, and lack other routes to temporary or permanent residence. The application process, which must be completed within 12 months of the decree taking effect, requires a valid identity document, photo, criminal record certificates from countries where they spent over 180 days in the last five years, proof of Uruguay's vaccination schedule, and evidence of self-support or family support above the national minimum wage. The National Migration Directorate can waive certain documents for justified reasons, such as huma...
