I'm in the middle of planning our move to Uruguay. Regarding the process of obtaining permanent residency, I know as much as you can read on internet, but I don't know just how difficult it is.
Have any of you gone through the process "alone"? The process seems scary but I suppose that it shouldn't be too difficult. What are your thoughts/experiences?
I read everywhere that there are attorneys specialized in the procedure, and people recomment working with them (attoneys also tend to make you think you won't be able to do it alone). I have even contacted one firm, but the prices are overwhelming...
I know enough spanish to find my way around, but I haven't practiced in years... I'm planning on really learning once I get there.
I'm ready to go through the process without an attorney... I'm not quite decided yet, what I'm asking here is your advice.
We know of people who have done this on their own and found it relatively easy... Irish Elaine where are you?
We know people who have had all of their documents and money taken from them from so called "relocation specialist."
We know people who have hired attorneys and went through the process smooth sailing.
I'd say get here and live here for a while, see if your Spanish comes back... If I spoke fluent Spanish, I would do it on my own.
BTW, there is a good expat community down here that will help point you in the right direction... There are a couple of expat douche-bags, but they aren't the majority.
Hi, kangera. If you speak enough Spanish to get by, and if your situation is not complex, it's certainly doable, as long as you are a person with a lot of patience for dealing with bureaucracy, and if you have the time to spend doing all the running around and occasionally going down blind alleys.
For people who have multiple citizenships, are missing papers (birth/marriage/divorce/adoption certificates), have lived in multiple countries in the last five years, need residency in a hurry, or have other complications, I would recommend an attorney.
If an attorney seems like overkill but you still would rather not go it alone, there are facilitators or "immigration specialists" who charge much less than attorneys.
Unfortunately, I know of no attorney or facilitator that has a 100% satisfaction rating. People have gotten skittish about using facilitators because of one bad apple that really made a mess for some people (yet who had also delivered residency quickly and smoothly to others that were highly satisfied).
The good news is, I have not heard of anyone's residency application being rejected outright. It may take a while (mine took 22 months), and you may need to re-do some steps, but you end up with card in hand.
