Do Uruguayan passport holders need a visa for the United States?

Yes, Uruguayan citizens need a visa to enter the United States. Uruguay is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Travelers must apply for a B1/B2 tourist visa at a US Embassy or Consulate before travel. Processing times vary, so applicants should apply well in advance of their intended travel dates.

Can Uruguayan citizens travel to Europe without a visa?

Yes, Uruguayan passport holders can travel visa-free to all Schengen Area countries (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands, Austria, and others) for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism or business. However, starting in 2025, Uruguayans will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization before traveling to Schengen countries, though this is not a visa.

Which countries can Uruguayan passport holders visit without a visa?

Uruguayan passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 156 countries, including all EU/Schengen states, UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, UAE, Turkey, all South American countries, most Central American and Caribbean nations, South Africa, Botswana, Philippines, and many Pacific island nations. Additionally, 31 countries offer visa-on-arrival, and 31 offer e-visas or electronic travel authorizations.

Do Uruguayan citizens need a visa for Canada or Australia?

Yes, Uruguayan passport holders require visas for both Canada and Australia. For Canada, most travelers need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applied through a Canadian visa application center. For Australia, an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or eVisitor visa must be obtained online before travel. Both countries do not offer visa-free access to Uruguayan nationals.

Is military service mandatory for Uruguayan passport holders?

Uruguay abolished mandatory military service in 2010. The Uruguayan Armed Forces operate on a voluntary professional basis. Citizens are not required to complete military service to obtain or renew a passport, nor does military service affect travel rights. This makes Uruguay one of the few South American countries without compulsory military conscription.

Can Uruguayan passport holders work in the EU without a visa?

No, visa-free access to the Schengen Area only permits tourism, business meetings, and short stays up to 90 days. Uruguayan citizens who wish to work in EU countries must obtain a work visa or residence permit from the specific country where they intend to work. Each EU member state has its own requirements for work authorization, typically requiring a job offer and employer sponsorship.

What documents do Uruguayan citizens need to renew their passport?

To renew a Uruguayan passport, citizens need: valid national identity card (Cédula de Identidad), proof of address, birth certificate (if first-time adult passport), and payment of applicable fees. Applications are processed through the Dirección Nacional de Identificación Civil. Renewal can be done in Uruguay at designated offices or at Uruguayan consulates abroad. Processing typically takes 10-15 business days domestically.

Do Uruguayan passport holders need a visa for the UK after Brexit?

No, Uruguayan citizens can still visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months for tourism, business, or family visits despite Brexit. However, as of 2025, travelers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK. The ETA is applied for online, costs approximately £10, and is typically approved within hours, but it is not a visa.

Can Uruguayan citizens travel to Russia, China, or India visa-free?

China offers visa-free access to Uruguayan passport holders for stays up to 15 days. Russia requires an electronic travel authorization (e-visa available for certain regions or standard visa). India requires an e-Visa, which must be obtained online before travel for tourism, business, or medical purposes. None of these countries offer completely unrestricted visa-free entry, so travelers should verify current requirements before departure.

Uruguay Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 156 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

The Uruguay passport ranks 25th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 destinations worldwide. This strong travel document provides Uruguayan citizens with excellent international mobility, particularly throughout South America, Europe's Schengen Area, and numerous other countries. The passport has consistently maintained a position in the top 30 globally over the past two decades, reflecting Uruguay's stable diplomatic relations and positive international standing. Uruguayan passport holders benefit from significant travel freedom for tourism, business, and personal purposes across multiple continents.

Global Rank

#25

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

156

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Uruguay passport

116

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Uruguayan Citizens

Popular destinations where Uruguay passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to 90 days	FR
Japan	Up to 90 days	JP
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
Thailand	Up to 90 days	TH
Turkey	Up to 90 days	TR

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Uruguay passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

116 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

31 countries

🔐 ETA Required

9 countries

💻 E-Visa

32 countries

❌ Visa Required

38 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Uruguay's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 5 positions from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Obtain residency in Uruguay through qualified investments, with potential pathways to citizenship.

RBI Program Available

Official Uruguay Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Uruguay

🔗

Dirección Nacional de Migración

🔗

Trámites Uruguay - Pasaporte

🔗

Consulados y Embajadas de Uruguay

Compare Uruguay Passport with Other Passports

See how Uruguay's passport compares with other AMERICAS in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Uruguay (You are here)	#25	156	73/100	75/100
Chile	#16	175	75/100	92/100
Brazil	#19	169	67/100	81/100
Argentina	#19	169	72/100	81/100
Mexico	#24	157	72/100	88/100
Panama	#29	148	68/100	71/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Uruguayan passport ranks 25th globally in 2025 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 destinations. This makes it the strongest passport in South America alongside Chile and Argentina, offering excellent travel freedom to Europe (Schengen Area), most of Latin America, the UK, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, UAE, and Turkey without requiring a visa in advance.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Uruguay's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Uruguay Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 156 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Uruguay's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 5 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Uruguay Passport with Other Passports

See how Uruguay's passport compares with other AMERICAS in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Uruguay (You are here)	#25	156	73/100	75/100
Chile	#16	175	75/100	92/100
Brazil	#19	169	67/100	81/100
Argentina	#19	169	72/100	81/100
Mexico	#24	157	72/100	88/100
Panama	#29	148	68/100	71/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Uruguay passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Uruguayan Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Uruguay's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official Uruguay Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Uruguay Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Uruguayan passport in 2025?

Do Uruguayan passport holders need a visa for the United States?

Can Uruguayan citizens travel to Europe without a visa?

Which countries can Uruguayan passport holders visit without a visa?

Do Uruguayan citizens need a visa for Canada or Australia?

Is military service mandatory for Uruguayan passport holders?

Can Uruguayan passport holders work in the EU without a visa?

What documents do Uruguayan citizens need to renew their passport?

Do Uruguayan passport holders need a visa for the UK after Brexit?

Can Uruguayan citizens travel to Russia, China, or India visa-free?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Uruguay passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Uruguayan Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Uruguay's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official Uruguay Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Uruguay Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Uruguayan passport in 2025?

Do Uruguayan passport holders need a visa for the United States?

Can Uruguayan citizens travel to Europe without a visa?

Which countries can Uruguayan passport holders visit without a visa?

Do Uruguayan citizens need a visa for Canada or Australia?

Is military service mandatory for Uruguayan passport holders?

Can Uruguayan passport holders work in the EU without a visa?

What documents do Uruguayan citizens need to renew their passport?

Do Uruguayan passport holders need a visa for the UK after Brexit?

Can Uruguayan citizens travel to Russia, China, or India visa-free?

Explore More Passport Rankings