Uruguay introduces permanent residency pathway for asylum seekers

Uruguay has introduced a new pathway to permanent residency based on roots, a measure designed to address a significant backlog of asylum applications. The decree, dated October 8, 2026, targets foreigners who entered the country before January 1, 2026, and meet specific criteria.

Eligible individuals include those with pending asylum applications who choose to formally withdraw them, as well as those who have received a definitive rejection of their asylum status. This policy is expected to significantly impact the Cuban community; as of June 2026, approximately 89% of the 30,715 pending asylum cases in Uruguay involved Cuban nationals.

Residency is not automatic. Applicants must have entered Uruguay legally through an authorized checkpoint, have no legal impediments to staying, and lack other avenues for regularizing their status. The application window is set for 12 months from the decree’s effective date, with a possible one-time 12-month extension by the National Directorate of Migration.

Required documentation includes a passport-style photo, valid identity documents, and criminal records from any country where the applicant resided for more than 180 days during the five years prior to entering Uruguay. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate personal or familial means of support, such as a work history from the Social Security Bank or a certificate confirming a monthly income exceeding the national minimum wage.