Do's and Don’ts for Expats Working and Living in Uruguay

DO’S

●     Do learn the language of the land. English is relatively widely used in Uruguay, but it is still essential to speak and understand Spanish if you plan on recruiting here. Portuguese is also commonly used. Even though English is understood, locals appreciate foreigners who make the effort to communicate in Spanish. This also prevents massive miscommunication.

●     Do expect a high quality of education, if you plan on studying while working, or if you are bringing your children with you. Uruguay and Argentina are currently in agreement to partner their universities, improving both countries’ education systems. It’s no secret that Uruguay has a large focus on education. In fact, it was the first Latin American country to provide free compulsory education. It also boasts of the highest literacy rate in the region. Education is free, and students are provided with free laptops. The overall environment in Uruguay is progressive and scientific, guaranteeing their youth with prosperous futures.

●     Do obtain a permanent or temporary visa before all else. As long as you have either a temporary or permanent visa in Uruguay, you are allowed to work there. In fact, if you already know ahead of time that you are going to Uruguay for work, then you can actually apply for residency at the moment you arrive. And while the process isn’t finalised yet, you can stay in the country for as long as you want.

●     Do prepare all of the necessary documents to avoid delays and problems. There are a number of steps to secure a visa from the Uruguayan authorities. These are all done in order to convince them that you’re eligible to enter their country, work, and live there. This also ensures that you are not a risk for their safety and security. (If you are entering the country to conduct business-related activities, such as commercial exchanges with Uruguay companies or investing in properties, you’ll need to apply for the Business Visa. this is valid for 90 days and allows multiple entries.)

●     Do some research in terms of finding a job, if you are entering the country without an existing offer or sponsorship. The best ways to find employment are through social media, consulting agencies, and career pages. But if you don’t have the time or energy to go through all the steps of recruitment, including setting up a legal entity in the country and a local office, you can always opt for PEO providers. They make job opportunities appealing and clear for the locals, increasing your likelihood to receive applications from the right people.

●     Do some research on the strongest industries to find career opportunities in. Tourism is unquestionably a strong industry in Uruguay, but it relies on other large sectors to keep its economy afloat. The agricultural exports, in particular, are a huge part of the country’s income. To get the best opportunities, you might want to tap into either forestry or agriculture. The current unemployment rate is 7.76%. The minimum wage is 10000 UYU ($352.30) monthly or 50 UYU per hour. The main industries include agriculture, forestry, cement, meat processing, fishing, oil refining, tourism, tanning and leather goods, wool, and textiles. The labor force is comprised of workers in the (13%) agriculture, (14%) industry, and (73%) services sectors.

●     Do consider investing in or expanding your businesses here. Foreign entrepreneurs are drawn to Uruguay because of its steady and growing economy. The government is stable and supportive, and the commercial sector has a good infrastructure. If you want to own and start a business in Uruguay, you may have to acquire permanent residency first. A majority of foreign investors and businessmen often choose either a branch or corporation to set up in the country. Again, unlike in most countries, Uruguay does not pose many restrictions on how many foreigners are owning, managing, and working in a company (versus the number of locals).

DON’TS

●     Don’t expect a lower cost of living. It’s not all paradise for tourists, though. Including immigrants, non-natives are often taken by surprise at how high the cost of products is. This is because of the high import taxes. Rent and electricity bills can also be considered high. The truth is that Uruguay has the highest cost of living in all of Latin America. Certain fees are required just to leave and re-enter the country as well. But despite these issues, it keeps on expanding and growing as a country. Its current population is over 3.4 million, and it’s just beginning to rise.

●     Don’t expect advertising and recruitment to be at the same pace as Western countries. Unlike Western countries, Uruguay isn’t as advanced and up to speed in terms of online advertising and branding. Even the biggest job boards and recruitment agencies in the country struggle with featuring brands. This means that if branding is highly essential to your business, it’s likely that it needs to directly come from your company.