The government reinstates the previous passport after complaints from Germany and France regarding long-stay visas.
Following reports of rejections at European embassies, the Uruguayan government is returning to the previous passport model. Free replacements will be offered to those who already have the new one, prioritizing incoming travelers.
The government decided to reinstate the previous passport to facilitate visa procedures.
Starting August 1, the Uruguayan government will reissue the previous passport model, following a series of issues that arose with the current version launched in April. The measure comes after France and Germany raised objections to granting long-stay visas to holders of the new document, which omits the place of birth.
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior indicated that, although the new passport meets the international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), there were reports of difficulties in obtaining visas at some embassies. The decision aims to avoid complications for Uruguayans planning to travel soon.
"The new passport was used without problems by tourists in Europe and other destinations, but two countries stated that they need more time to formally validate the new format," the government clarified. These countries, according to reports, are France and Germany.
To avoid further headaches, the Executive Branch decided to return to the previous design, which does include the place of birth. This version is recognized without objection worldwide, so it is expected to facilitate procedures at foreign consulates.
Passports with the new design were issued between April 16 and July 30. The government announced that these will be replaced free of charge, using a phased system. Priority will be given to those who have an upcoming trip and can present a ticket, reservation, or supporting documentation.
The process of obtaining a new passport generated many inquiries, especially among students, migrants, and people with work plans abroad. To process a replacement passport, one option was available: send an email to rrpp@dnic.gub.uy with proof of travel attached. Applications will be scheduled as requests are received.
Beyond this setback, authorities assured that the current document complies with international standards and that the problem lies in the time it takes for certain countries to adapt to the new formats.
The change also opens the door to a broader debate about how official documents are designed and what impact a minor change could have on the daily lives of thousands of people. Meanwhile, the government is trying to solve the problem with a concrete measure: returning to the previous passport and preventing Uruguayans from being stranded by bureaucratic red tape.
