Residency in Latin America: where you will really qualify and how many years to a passport

Five routes to a residence permit in 8 countries: what the document is called in the law, what income you must show and how long until citizenship. Based on laws and migration service websites, with a source for every number.

Find a country in five questions

Your citizenship

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This is a reference on the law as of the check date, not legal advice. Rules change: before applying, check with the migration service or a specialist. The ≈ sign on an income threshold means the law sets it in local currency; we converted it to dollars at the rate on the check date. Data checked 4 Oct 2026.

Country × route

Route status and the approximate time until you can apply for citizenship, counted from the first residence permit under each country’s rules.

Country	Remote work	Pension or rent	Local job	Marriage or citizen child	Investment
Argentina	not confirmeda passport needs another route	openpassport ~2 years	with conditionspassport ~2 years	openpassport ~2 years	with conditionspassport ~2 years
Brazil	opena passport needs another route	with conditionspassport ~6 years	with conditionspassport ~6 years	openpassport ~1 year	with conditionspassport ~8 years
Chile	no route	with conditionspassport ~5 years	with conditionspassport ~5 years	openpassport ~4 years	with conditionspassport ~5 years
Colombia	opena passport needs another route	with conditionspassport ~10 years	with conditionspassport ~10 years	openpassport ~5 years	openpassport ~10 years
Mexico	with conditionspassport ~5 years	openpassport ~5 years	with conditionspassport ~5 years	openpassport ~2 years	with conditionspassport ~5 years
Peru	no route	with conditionspassport ~2 years	openpassport ~2 years	openpassport ~2 years	with conditionspassport ~2 years
Paraguay	with conditionspassport ~5 years	with conditionspassport ~5 years	openpassport ~5 years	with conditionspassport ~5 years	openpassport ~3 years
Uruguay	opena passport needs another route	openpassport ~5 years	openpassport ~5 years	openpassport ~3 years	with conditionspassport ~5 years

Visa-free entry by citizenship

How many days you can stay without a visa on a passport of each of the 12 countries. Citizens who need a visa usually find residency harder, and in some countries the nomad visa is closed to them.

Citizenship	Argentina	Brazil	Chile	Colombia	Mexico	Peru	Paraguay	Uruguay
Russia	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	e-visa, up to 180 days	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free
Belarus	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship
Kazakhstan	30 days visa-free	30 days visa-free	visa needed in advance	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship
Ukraine	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	e-visa, up to 180 days	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free
Uzbekistan	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship
Kyrgyzstan	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship
Tajikistan	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship
Armenia	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	90 days visa-free
Azerbaijan	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship
Moldova	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship
Georgia	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	visa needed in advance	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free	90 days visa-free
Turkmenistan	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship	visa needed in advance, some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship

Number: days without a visa. E-visa: online electronic visa before the trip. Visa: consular, in advance. ?: not verified. Asterisk: some routes are closed or limited for this citizenship, such as the nomad visa.

Table sources · 42

Dual citizenship under your own country’s law

Whether you keep your citizenship after taking a passport of one of these countries. This is the other side of the question: what the destination country allows is in the “Citizenship” block below.

Russiakept, notification required

Not lost, but the Interior Ministry must be notified of a second citizenship; concealment is a criminal offence.

Second citizenship does not end Russian citizenship (Art. 10, Law 138-FZ). But the Interior Ministry must be notified within 60 days; willful concealment risks a fine of up to RUB 200,000 (Criminal Code, Art. 330.2). For those abroad, it runs from entry into Russia.

Changes in 2025–2026. In December 2025 Russia’s Foreign Ministry tabled a draft: those living abroad must also notify a consulate, without waiting to enter Russia (from 2028). Whether the law was adopted is not confirmed.

Sources · 2

Belaruskept, notification required

Not lost, but Belarus does not recognise the second one; notify the Interior Ministry or a consulate within 3 months.

Belarusian citizenship survives a second one, but Belarus does not recognize the second. Since July 11, 2023, a second citizenship or residence permit must be reported to the Interior Ministry or a consulate within 3 months. The law itself names no penalty.

Sources · 2

Kazakhstanlost

Prohibited: another citizenship ends Kazakh citizenship (new Constitution since 01.07.2026).

Dual citizenship is prohibited. Since July 1, 2026, the new Constitution (Art. 13) expressly makes holding another citizenship grounds for ending Kazakh citizenship. The law requires reporting it within 30 days and surrendering the passport.

Changes in 2025–2026. New Constitution of Kazakhstan (referendum of March 15, 2026, in force since July 1, 2026): Art. 13(3) states that another citizenship ends Kazakh citizenship. The citizenship law already provided for such loss (Art. 21).

Sources · 2

Ukrainedepends on the country

Only for countries on the Cabinet’s list; none of the 8 countries is on it, so citizenship is lost.

Since Jan 16, 2026, Ukrainian citizenship can be kept only when acquiring that of a country on the Cabinet’s list (33 countries, May 2026). None of the 8 Latin American countries is listed, and voluntarily acquiring another leads to loss (Art. 19).

Changes in 2025–2026. Law No. 4502-IX on multiple citizenship took effect on Jan 16, 2026. Cabinet Resolution No. 589 of May 8, 2026 expanded the list to 33 countries (all in Europe, plus the US and Canada). Russia is excluded.

Sources · 3

Uzbekistanlost

Not recognised: acquiring another citizenship is a ground for loss, formalised by presidential decree.

Uzbekistan does not recognize second citizenship. Voluntarily acquiring a foreign citizenship is grounds for losing Uzbek citizenship (Art. 25), formalized by presidential decree, not automatically. Until there is a decree, a citizen’s obligations remain.

Sources · 1

OfficialLaw of Uzbekistan No. ZRU-610 "On Citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan", articles 12 and 25

Kyrgyzstankept

Not lost automatically: the Constitution recognises a second citizenship.

No automatic loss: the Constitution (Art. 51) recognizes a second citizenship, and no treaty is needed. Dual nationals may not hold political or special posts (Art. 38). The citizenship law does not formally recognize a second one.

Changes in 2025–2026. The citizenship law was amended on March 19, 2025: Kyrgyz citizenship is lost if a foreign state reports granting its own and there is a notarized renunciation of Kyrgyz citizenship. There is no automatic loss upon acquiring a second one.

Sources · 2

Tajikistandepends on the country

Only under an international treaty; there are no treaties with the 8 countries, so citizenship is lost.

A second citizenship only under an international treaty (Constitution, Art. 15). Anyone who voluntarily takes the citizenship of a country without a treaty loses Tajik citizenship (Art. 23). There is a treaty with Russia; none with the 8 Latin American countries.

Sources · 2

Armeniakept, notification required

Allowed; the new citizenship must be reported to the authorities within 1 month.

Dual citizenship is allowed; Armenian citizenship is not lost automatically (Arts. 1 and 13.1 of the law). A new citizenship must be reported to the authorities within a month; violations carry liability under the law (the amount is not stated in the article).

Changes in 2025–2026. Since Jan 1, 2026, citizenship applications are filed only through an electronic system (Law ՀՕ-4-Ն). This does not change the rules on keeping citizenship. A tightening draft for “by descent” (September 2026) is still a draft.

Sources · 2

Azerbaijanlost

Not recognised: acquiring another one is a ground for deprivation; report in writing within 1 month.

Second citizenship is not recognized. Voluntarily acquiring a foreign citizenship is grounds for deprivation of Azerbaijani citizenship (Art. 18). It must be reported in writing within a month; failure to report carries criminal liability (Art. 10).

Sources · 1

OfficialLaw of Azerbaijan No. 527-IQ "On Citizenship", articles 10 and 18

Moldovakept

Allowed: Moldovan citizenship is not lost on acquiring a foreign one; any duty to notify is not verified.

Moldova accepts dual and multiple citizenship; acquiring a foreign one does not take away Moldovan citizenship. The new Law No. 253/2025 has applied since Dec 24, 2025. The article number and any duty to notify are not verified against the law’s text.

Changes in 2025–2026. The new Citizenship Law No. 253 of July 10, 2025 replaced Law No. 1024/2000, in force since Dec 24, 2025. The principle allowing dual citizenship was kept (per secondary accounts; the text itself could not be opened).

Sources · 2

Georgiadepends on the country

Only with Georgia’s consent obtained before the second citizenship; without it, citizenship is lost.

Single citizenship. Georgian citizenship can be kept on acquiring a foreign one only with the state’s consent obtained BEFORE acquiring the second (Art. 21-1). Without consent, Georgian citizenship is lost (Art. 21). No treaties are needed.

Sources · 1

OfficialOrganic Law of Georgia "On Georgian Citizenship", articles 3, 21 and 21-1 (version of 25.06.2026)

Turkmenistannot verified

The law does not recognise a second citizenship, but does not name it a ground for loss; practice not verified.

The law does not recognize a second citizenship (Art. 5) and does not name acquiring one as grounds for loss (Art. 17). The treaty with Russia was terminated in 2015. No direct permission, ban or sanctions were found in the text; practice is not confirmed.

Sources · 2

Routes by country

The document’s name in the law, the income threshold and the time to a passport.

Argentina

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	not confirmed	Residencia transitoria para nómades digitales (Disposición DNM 758/2022)Visa-exempt nationalities, Russia included: up to 180 days and one extension. A transitory category, not a residence permit: it leads neither to permanent residence nor to a passport. Whether it is in force in 2026 is not confirmed by a primary source.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: does not lead
Pension or rent	open	Residencia temporaria por rentista / pensionado (art. 23 b y c, Ley 25.871)Passive income or a pension from abroad of at least 5 minimum wages: ARS 1,956,000 a month from October 2026, about $1,350 at the official rate. Employment income does not count; funds are brought in through a bank. A one-year permit, renewable.	Income from: $1,350 a month	To passport: ~2 years
Local job	with conditions	Residencia temporaria por trabajador migrante (art. 23 a, Ley 25.871)Requires an Argentine employer listed in the DNM registry and an employment contract with certified signatures; you may work only once authorized. No dollar threshold; pay follows the industry collective agreement.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~2 years
Marriage or citizen child	open	Residencia temporaria por reunificación familiar (art. 23 n, Ley 25.871)Spouse, parent or child of an Argentine or a resident: temporary residence for up to 3 years; since 2025, not immediately permanent. Apply from Argentina via RaDEX. A registered domestic partnership is treated as marriage.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~2 years
Investment	with conditions	Residencia temporaria por inversionista (art. 23 d, Ley 25.871)Investor residence: a project of at least ARS 1,500,000 under the 2010 text plus a ministry opinion; the current threshold is not confirmed. Citizenship for $350,000 was announced on Oct 2, 2026, but rests on the challenged articles of DNU 366/2025.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~2 years

Caveats

In 2026 courts held invalid the rule of “2 years without a single trip abroad” and the transfer of citizenship to Migraciones; the government is appealing to the Supreme Court. Before applying, ask a lawyer which rule is applied.

Sources · 18

Brazil

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	open	Autorização de residência para nômade digital (Resolução CNIg 45/2021)Only work for a foreign client: from $1,500 a month or $18,000 in an account. A one-year permit, renewable for the same term. The resolution has no switch to an indefinite permit, so the route does not lead to a passport by itself.	Income from: $1,500 a month	To passport: does not lead
Pension or rent	with conditions	Autorização de residência para aposentado (Resolução Normativa CNIg 40/2019)Retirees only: transfer at least $2,000 a month to Brazil. After 2 years you can request an indefinite permit, and only from then do the 4 years to citizenship start. Passive income without a pension is not named as a separate route.	Income from: $2,000 a month	To passport: ~6 years
Local job	with conditions	Autorização de residência para trabalho (Resolução Normativa CNIg 2/2017)Requires a Brazilian employer, who applies to the Ministry of Justice; your degree and experience are checked for the job. A permit for up to 2 years; indefinite with a new open-ended contract.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~6 years
Marriage or citizen child	open	Autorização de residência para reunião familiar (Decreto 9.199, art. 153)Spouse or partner of a Brazilian, parent of a Brazilian child. You can apply to the Federal Police in the country. 1 year to citizenship, but from the indefinite permit date; the rules do not say outright if a Brazilian’s family gets it at once.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~1 year
Investment	with conditions	Autorização de residência para investimento (RN CNIg 36/2018 and 13/2017)Urban property from BRL 1 million (about $180,000 at 5.5; in the North and Northeast from 700,000) or investment in a company from BRL 500,000. A 4-year permit, then indefinite; stay in the country 14 days every 2 years.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~8 years

Sources · 14

Chile

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	no route	No separate subcategory for remote work (Decreto 177/2022)Chile has no visa for remote work. A tourist formally may not receive pay even from abroad (Art. 50 of Law 21.325), and you cannot apply for residence from inside the country (Art. 58). That leaves passive income or a contract with a Chilean client.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: does not lead
Pension or rent	with conditions	Residencia temporal para jubilados y rentistasA pension or regular passive income no lower than the basic-needs minimum calculated by the Social Development Ministry; the law names no dollar amount. Apply only from abroad, all certificates apostilled.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Local job	with conditions	Residencia temporal para actividades lícitas remuneradasAn employment contract of at least 3 months with a Chilean employer: the employer signs before a notary, you before a Chilean consul before departure. Apply from abroad. Or a services contract with a Chilean for over 90 days.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Marriage or citizen child	open	Residencia temporal por reunificación familiarSpouse, parent or child of a Chilean citizen or permanent resident. The Chilean files, and can do so from Chile. Relatives of a temporary resident go as dependents, not via this route. Work is allowed.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~4 years
Investment	with conditions	Residencia temporal para inversionistas y personal relacionadoInvestment of at least $500,000 in producing goods or services plus a letter from the InvestChile agency; buying housing does not qualify. Apply from abroad.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years

Caveats

Chilean citizenship under DS 5142 requires a written renunciation of your previous citizenship. How this is applied to Russians in practice is not verified.

Sources · 13

Colombia

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	open	Visa V Nómada Digital (Resolución 5477/2022, art. 46)Income of at least 3 minimum wages over the last 3 months (5,252,715 pesos, about $1,590 at 3,300) and health insurance. Working for Colombian companies is not allowed; years on a V visa do not count toward a permanent R visa.	Income from: $1,590 a month	To passport: does not lead
Pension or rent	with conditions	Visa M Pensionado (art. 77) / Visa V Rentista (art. 56)A pension of at least 3 minimum wages (about $1,590) gives an M visa for 3 years; 5 years to a permanent R. Passive income without a pension goes via the V Rentista visa: from 10 wages (about $5,300), and it does not count toward R.	Income from: $1,590 a month	To passport: ~10 years
Local job	with conditions	Visa M Trabajador (art. 74)Requires a Colombian corporate employer with average income of at least 100 minimum wages a month and an explanation of why a Colombian was not hired. The visa is tied to one position and company.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~10 years
Marriage or citizen child	open	Visa M Cónyuge / Compañero permanente / Padre o madre de nacional colombianoMarriage to a Colombian: an M visa for 3 years with the right to work, an R visa after 3 years, then 2 years to citizenship. A parent of a Colombian child: 2 years to R. Unmarried partner: a one-year visa and 5 years to R.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Investment	open	Visa M Inversionista (art. 79)Property in your name from 350 minimum wages (612.8 million pesos, about $186,000) or direct investment from 650 wages (about $345,000) registered with the Banco de la República. Hold the investment for the whole visa term.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~10 years

Sources · 10

Mexico

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	with conditions	Residente temporal por solvencia económica (no separate nomad visa)There is no nomad visa: people take temporary residence based on income from 680 UMA a month (about 79,800 pesos, roughly $4,700 at 17). Working for a Mexican employer is not allowed; consulates accept a salary from abroad.	Income from: $4,700 a month	To passport: ~5 years
Pension or rent	open	Residente temporal por solvencia económica (ingresos, pensión o ahorros)After-tax income or pension of at least 680 UMA a month over 6 months (about $4,700), or an account balance of at least 11,460 UMA over 12 months (about 1.34 million pesos). Visa at a consulate, card for 1-4 years.	Income from: $4,700 a month	To passport: ~5 years
Local job	with conditions	Residencia temporal por oferta de empleoFirst a Mexican employer registered with the INM files a job offer, then an interview at the consulate. The permit is tied to a position in the job classification.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Marriage or citizen child	open	Unidad familiar: residente permanente (padres) / residente temporal (cónyuge)A parent of a Mexican-born child gets permanent residence at once (Art. 54 VI-VII, Ley de Migración). A spouse of a Mexican gets temporary residence; 2 years to citizenship with children or with marriage and living together in Mexico.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~2 years
Investment	with conditions	Residente temporal por inversionista o por bienes inmueblesProperty worth over 91,710 UMA (about 10.76 million pesos, roughly $633,000) or investment in a Mexican company over 45,850 UMA (about $316,000). Rate: 17 pesos per dollar.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years

Caveats

On naturalization Mexico requires a formal renunciation of your previous citizenship (Ley de Nacionalidad, Art. 19); whether you keep Russian citizenship is up to Russia.

Sources · 10

Peru

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	no route	Calidad migratoria Nómada digital (Decreto Legislativo 1582)The category entered the law in November 2023 but has no application procedure, so it cannot be obtained. Remote workers enter as tourists for 90 days.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: does not lead
Pension or rent	with conditions	Calidad migratoria Rentista ResidenteA pension or steady passive income from $1,000 a month net, via a bank supervised by the SBS; indefinite status. Catch: the regulation speaks of a lifetime pension; whether passive income is accepted is up to Migraciones.	Income from: $1,000 a month	To passport: ~2 years
Local job	open	Calidad migratoria Trabajador ResidenteA contract of at least a year with a Peruvian employer, approved by the labor inspectorate; the employer is active with SUNAT. Permanent residence requires income of at least 55,000 soles a year.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~2 years
Marriage or citizen child	open	Calidad migratoria Familiar de ResidenteSpouse or partner, children, parents of a citizen or resident: 2 years for a Peruvian’s family, 1 year for a foreigner’s family. Migraciones itself assesses whether the marriage is genuine.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~2 years
Investment	with conditions	Calidad migratoria InversionistaAt least 500,000 soles (about $145,000 at 3.45) in one international transfer to a company in the SUNARP registry. Permanent residence also requires 10 jobs for Peruvians.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~2 years

Caveats

Law 32421 will raise the term to citizenship from 2 to 5 years (for marriage, up to 4 years of marriage) from the day after its regulation is issued. As of Oct 4, 2026 no regulation was found; earlier cases follow the old rules.

Sources · 15

Paraguay

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	with conditions	Residencia temporal general (Ley 6984/2022, art. 46)No separate visa: general temporary residence for 2 years. The law sets no income threshold, but since July 6, 2026, switching to permanent requires proof of real income: contracts, invoices, statements.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Pension or rent	with conditions	Residencia temporal general (jubilado, rentista)No separate rentier regime, and the law sets no income threshold. A pension is proven with an apostilled certificate. A purely passive route without income: only investment from $200,000.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Local job	open	Residencia temporal general «para desarrollar una actividad lícita» (art. 46)General temporary residence with an employment contract. While the case is pending, residente precario status for 90 days allows work. The law sets no quotas or minimum wage.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Marriage or citizen child	with conditions	Residencia temporal general (direct permanent under Art. 48 only for a repatriate’s family)The law has no separate category for a citizen’s spouse or parent: ordinary temporary residence for 2 years. Direct permanent residence under Art. 48 is only for the family of a repatriated Paraguayan.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Investment	open	Paraguay Investor Pass (Ley 4986/2013, Resolución MIC 283/2026)Permanent residence at once: from $200,000 in property not for your own housing or in securities for 2 years, $150,000 in tourism, $70,000 in a business with 5 jobs. The permanent card is for 10 years.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~3 years

Caveats

Since July 6, 2026, switching to permanent residence requires proof of real income (Resolución DNM 407/2026); we have read the resolution only as retold by the press.

Sources · 11

Uruguay

Country page →

Route	Status	Document in the law	Income from	To passport
Remote work	open	Hoja de Identidad Provisoria Nómada DigitalOnline request and a sworn statement of sufficient means; no income threshold. Issued for 180 days plus one extension; it is not a residence permit, and only a parallel permanent residence application leads to a passport.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: does not lead
Pension or rent	open	Residencia legal permanente (medios de vida: rentista, jubilado)No separate rentier visa: you apply directly for permanent residence with a notarized income certificate. The law sets no minimum amount; the migration service judges sufficiency.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Local job	open	Residencia legal temporaria o permanente por trabajoNo separate work permit; resident status allows work, and once documents are filed an employer can hire you at once. Pay at least the minimum wage: 25,383 pesos, about $630 at 40.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years
Marriage or citizen child	open	Residencia legal permanente por vínculo uruguayoA spouse, cohabiting partner, child, brother or sister of a citizen gets permanent residence at once without proof of income. Cohabitation is recognized only by court ruling; the marriage certificate must be under a year old.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~3 years
Investment	with conditions	No separate investor visa; residence via a business under general rulesNo golden visa or investment threshold: you open a company and get residence with a notarized income certificate. Investors have a fast track via Uruguay XXI, up to 10 business days for temporary residence.	Income from: no threshold	To passport: ~5 years

Sources · 12

Citizenship

How long to live there before applying, which residency counts and whether the country allows dual citizenship.

Argentina

2 years of residence · both temporary and permanent residency count · dual citizenship allowed

2 years of continuous lawful residence; temporary residence also counts, residencia precaria does not. After the 2026 court rulings, applications are again heard by federal judges; what the Supreme Court will decide is still unknown.

Shorter terms: A child born in Argentina is a citizen from birth, regardless of the parents’ citizenship (Ley 346, Art. 1).
Marriage to an Argentine gives no shorter term: the same 2 years.
Citizenship by investment was announced on Oct 2, 2026, but its basis in DNU 366/2025 has been challenged in court.
Presence: Under DNU 366/2025: 2 years without a single trip abroad. Courts in June–August 2026 held this rule invalid and the government is appealing; the previous wording of Ley 346 has no direct ban on trips abroad.
Exams: The text of Ley 346 has no language or history exam.

Brazil

4 years of residence · only permanent residency counts · dual citizenship allowed

The 4 years count only from the indefinite permit date; years on a temporary one do not, per both Decree 9.199 (Art. 221) and the Ministry of Justice. Brazil does not require renouncing your previous citizenship.

Shorter terms: 1 year: a Brazilian child, or a Brazilian spouse or partner (Decree 9.199, Art. 235).
2 years: services to Brazil or a professional, scientific or artistic reputation (Art. 236).
1 year for natives of Portuguese-speaking countries (Art. 237); this does not apply to Russians.
Presence: Residence immediately before applying; occasional trips abroad are allowed if they total no more than 12 months over the whole period (Decree 9.199, Art. 233).
Exams: No separate exam; you need proof of Portuguese (Celpe-Bras, a Brazilian university degree, etc.), a CPF and criminal record certificates.

Chile

5 years of residence · the law does not say directly which residency counts · dual citizenship with caveats

Requires a valid permanent residence permit and over 5 years of residence. DS 5142 requires a written renunciation of your previous citizenship, although the Constitution does not. Processing takes about 3 years on average.

Shorter terms: Marriage to a Chilean citizen: 2 years of continuous residence on a permanent permit, with the marriage registered in Chile for at least 2 years (Art. 85 of Law 21.325).
Blood relative of a Chilean up to the 2nd degree: the same 2 years on a permanent permit.
A child born in Chile is Chilean from birth, with narrow exceptions (Constitution, Art. 10).
Presence: Continuous residence; whether trips abroad break it is decided by the Interior Minister (DS 5142, Art. 2). The law gives no number of days.
Exams: Neither DS 5142 nor the SERMIG page has an exam; you need a criminal record certificate, paid taxes and proof that you can support yourself.

Colombia

5 years of residence · only permanent residency counts · dual citizenship allowed

Requires an R visa; the term runs from its issue, years on M do not count. Without Colombian family, about 10 years: 5 on M and 5 on R. The law does not require renouncing your previous citizenship.

Shorter terms: 2 years on an R visa instead of 5 for marriage or de facto union with a Colombian, or Colombian children (Ley 2332, Art. 9).
A child born in Colombia is Colombian by birth if one parent has held a residence visa for 3 consecutive years (Art. 4).
Presence: Leaving for a year or more before applying resets the term. An M visa lapses after 180 consecutive days abroad within a year (Art. 65 of Resolution 5477).
Exams: Colombia’s Constitution, history, culture and geography, plus Spanish, with up to two attempts. Graduates of Colombian schools and universities and people over 60 are exempt.

Mexico

5 years of residence · both temporary and permanent residency count · dual citizenship with caveats

Requires a temporary or permanent resident card (a student card does not count) valid for 6 more months. On naturalization Mexico requires a formal renunciation of your previous citizenship; what that means is up to the other country.

Shorter terms: Marriage to a Mexican: 2 years of married life together in Mexico (Ley de Nacionalidad, Art. 20).
Mexican-born children: 2 years (Art. 20).
Natives of Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula: 2 years; this does not apply to Russians.
Presence: Absences do not break the term if, over the last 2 years before applying, you spent no more than 6 months in total outside Mexico (Art. 21).
Exams: SRE exams: Spanish, Mexican history and cultural integration. Children and people over 60 take Spanish only.

Peru

2 years of residence · both temporary and permanent residency count · dual citizenship allowed

Currently: 2 consecutive years of lawful residence, income of at least 10 UIT (55,000 soles a year) and an exam. Law 32421 will raise the term to 5 years, but takes effect only once regulated; as of Oct 4, 2026 no regulation was found.

Shorter terms: Marriage to a Peruvian citizen: now 2 years of residence in marriage; under Law 32421, 4 years of marriage.
A child born in Peru is a citizen from birth.
Presence: You may not be away over 183 consecutive days in any 365-day period without Migraciones’ permission (Art. 63 of the regulation).
Exams: An exam at Migraciones; under Law 32421 it will cover Spanish, history, geography, the Constitution and culture.

Paraguay

3 years of residence · only permanent residency counts · dual citizenship with caveats

Citizenship is granted by a court through a lawyer; a permanent residence card is required, so in practice about 5 years (2 temporary and 3 permanent). Dual citizenship only under a reciprocity treaty; none with Russia was found.

Shorter terms: A child born in Paraguay is a citizen by birth (Constitution, Art. 146).
An investor gets permanent residence at once, so citizenship is about 3 years away (inferred from the rules).
Open sources show no shorter term for marriage.
Presence: 3 years of actual residence and regular work or occupation in Paraguay (Constitution, Art. 148). Temporary residence is canceled after more than a year away, permanent after more than 3 years.
Exams: The format is not officially described; per legal reviews, Spanish or Guaraní, history and civics basics (not confirmed by a primary source).

Uruguay

5 years of residence · the law does not say directly which residency counts · dual citizenship allowed

This is ciudadanía legal, not nacionalidad: 3 years with family in Uruguay, 5 without. You can vote only 3 years after the card is issued, and an absence over 6 months resets the term.

Shorter terms: Family in Uruguay (marriage or children): 3 years, not 5 (Constitution, Art. 75).
Children born in Uruguay are citizens at birth.
Presence: Permanent residence: an absence over 6 consecutive months resets the count; no number of days per year.
Exams: No history exam; you must understand and speak Spanish, prove income or assets and bring two witnesses over 25.

Legalisation

How long you can stay as a tourist and whether you can apply without leaving. Terms here are for Russian citizens; for other citizenships see the entry table above.

Argentina

90 days visa-free · applying from inside the country has caveats

Entry as a tourist for 90 days out of 180; apply via RaDEX from inside the country (Disposición 1520/2024). Catch: in 2023 the DNM denied Russians extensions and residence permits, citing the 90-day limit.

Documents: Passport; criminal record certificates from Argentina and from Russia if you lived there over a year in the last 3 years; marriage or birth certificates. Russian papers need an apostille and a sworn translator’s translation.

Brazil

90 days visa-free · you can apply from inside the country

You can apply for residence in Brazil as a tourist (90 days out of 180), without a consulate. Once approved, you must go to the Federal Police within 30 days for a CRNM card.

Documents: Russian criminal record certificate covering 5 years, birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if via family), apostille and sworn translation in Brazil, international passport. Fees: BRL 168.13 and 204.77.

Chile

90 days visa-free · applying from inside the country has caveats

A Russian enters visa-free for 90 days and can extend for another 90. Residence applications go through the SERMIG portal from abroad; from Chile as a tourist, only on family or humanitarian grounds.

Documents: Passport valid for at least a year; criminal record certificates from Russia and countries you lived in over the last 5 years, no older than 60 days; marriage or birth certificates. All apostilled; papers not in Spanish or English translated.

Colombia

90 days visa-free · you can apply from inside the country

Visa-free entry for 90 days (up to 180 a year with an extension); apply online from Colombia while your status is lawful. Russian certificates stay valid for only 3 months, so prepare them in advance.

Documents: Criminal record certificate, marriage and birth certificates, pension certificate: apostilled, with an official translation, issued no more than 3 months ago; passport valid for at least 6 months.

Mexico

180 days visa-free · applying from inside the country has caveats

Russians need a free SAE e-visa, valid only for entry by air; stay up to 180 days. Sources differ on the validity of the visa itself: DOF 2025 says 180 days, a 2015 SRE page says 30. Residence starts at a consulate.

Documents: Passport; bank statements for 6 or 12 months; income certificates. Marriage and birth documents apostilled and translated into Spanish.

Peru

90 days visa-free · applying from inside the country has caveats

A Russian enters as a tourist for 90 days out of 180, and status can be changed in Peru without leaving (Art. 65 of the regulation). Processing takes up to 30 business days; get certificates in advance.

Documents: Criminal record certificate from Russia and countries you lived in over the last 5 years, apostilled; marriage or birth certificate, apostilled; sworn translation. For passive income, proof of income.

Paraguay

90 days visa-free · you can apply from inside the country

Visa-free entry for 90 days out of 180, then apply for temporary residence at the DNM; while pending, precario status for 90 days with the right to work. Get the apostille and certificates before the trip.

Documents: International passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate if married, criminal record certificates from Russia, Interpol and the Paraguayan police. All apostilled and with a sworn translator’s translation.

Uruguay

90 days visa-free · applying from inside the country has caveats

You can enter as a tourist for 90 days and apply for residence or Nómada Digital in the country, but the visa regime register requires Russians to get prior consultation if the purpose is not tourism.

Documents: Criminal record certificate from Russia and countries lived in over the last 5 years, marriage and birth certificates (marriage under a year old), all apostilled and translated by a Uruguayan sworn translator.

Find a country in five questions

Your citizenship

All countries in detail

Country × route

Visa-free entry by citizenship

Dual citizenship under your own country’s law

🇷🇺Russiakept, notification required

🇧🇾Belaruskept, notification required

🇰🇿Kazakhstanlost

🇺🇦Ukrainedepends on the country

🇺🇿Uzbekistanlost

🇰🇬Kyrgyzstankept

🇹🇯Tajikistandepends on the country

🇦🇲Armeniakept, notification required

🇦🇿Azerbaijanlost

🇲🇩Moldovakept

🇬🇪Georgiadepends on the country

🇹🇲Turkmenistannot verified

Routes by country

🇦🇷Argentina

🇧🇷Brazil

🇨🇱Chile

🇨🇴Colombia

🇲🇽Mexico

🇵🇪Peru

🇵🇾Paraguay

🇺🇾Uruguay

Citizenship

🇦🇷Argentina

🇧🇷Brazil

🇨🇱Chile

🇨🇴Colombia

🇲🇽Mexico

🇵🇪Peru

🇵🇾Paraguay

🇺🇾Uruguay

Legalisation

🇦🇷Argentina

🇧🇷Brazil

🇨🇱Chile

🇨🇴Colombia

🇲🇽Mexico

🇵🇪Peru

🇵🇾Paraguay

🇺🇾Uruguay

Russiakept, notification required

Belaruskept, notification required

Kazakhstanlost

Ukrainedepends on the country

Uzbekistanlost

Kyrgyzstankept

Tajikistandepends on the country

Armeniakept, notification required

Azerbaijanlost

Moldovakept

Georgiadepends on the country

Turkmenistannot verified

Argentina

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Mexico

Peru

Paraguay

Uruguay

Argentina

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Mexico

Peru

Paraguay

Uruguay

Argentina

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Mexico

Peru

Paraguay

Uruguay