At the end of 2022, all Uruguayan visitors to the Schengen Area will be required to complete an ETIAS travel authorization. It’s a quick, easy, and cheap process, and the vast majority of applicants are granted authorization.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Uruguayan Citizens
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is an automated, online vetting process that checks all applicants against international databases, making sure there are no serious crimes on their record, including violent crime, human trafficking, terrorism, drug smuggling, and anything else that could place Schengen countries at risk.
Once the ETIAS visa waiver has been provided, Uruguayan travelers will be able to visit the region for up to 90 days within any 180 day period. It lasts for up to 3 years from the point of authorization but it can be revoked and will expire if the associated passport expires.
Do Uruguayan Citizens Need an ETIAS Visa Waiver for Europe?
It is worth remembering that the Schengen Zone doesn’t cover all of Europe. It spans 26 countries on the continent, 22 of which are in the European Union (EU) while the remaining 4 are in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
If you have ETIAS travel authorization, you will have the freedom to move around the Schengen Area and visit multiple countries (providing you don’t exceed a stay of 90 days within any 180 day period).
However, if you intend to visit countries that are not part of the Schengen Area, you will need to check with the respective visa requirements. For instance, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales) is not in the Schengen Area but it is one of the most-visited countries in Europe. Ireland, on the other hand, is part of the European Union, but it has not signed the Schengen Agreement.
Requirements for Uruguayans
Uruguayans must follow the same rules as everyone else when it comes to the ETIAS visa waiver. There are no special rules for different nations, just as there is no specific ETIAS for individual countries within the Schengen Zone.
To qualify for an ETIAS visa waiver, you will need the following:
- Internet access (the application is completed online)
- A debit or credit card (the ETIAS application requires a fee of €7)
- Basic personal information and travel details
- A valid Uruguayan passport (a national ID will not suffice)
Can Uruguayan Citizens Travel to the US Without a Visa?
Uruguayan citizens need a visa to travel to the United States. It’s a popular destination for South American tourists, but the visa requirements mean getting there is not straightforward.
Which Countries Can Uruguayans Visit Without a Visa?
Uruguayan citizens don’t need a passport when traveling within South America and their Uruguayan identity card should suffice. They will need a valid passport for travel outside of South America though, and once they have that passport they will be granted visa-free or visa waiver access to over 150 countries and territories.
Some of the most notable of these countries and territories include the United Kingdom, where they can remain for up to 6 months without a visa, and Russia. South Africa and most of Europe can also be accessed without a visa.
The Most Popular Uruguayan Tourist Destinations
Citizens of Uruguay seem to spend most of their time in South America. Not only is it nearby, but they can also visit these countries without a passport. The Schengen Zone is rarely top of the list for Uruguayans, but they still flock to Europe in their thousands every year.