| LLC | JSC | LLP | SAZF-FZ | Branch Office | Rep Office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Name | SRL | SA | S EN C | Sociedad Anónima Zona Franca | Sucursal | Oficina de representación |
| Company Setup Time | 7 weeks | 7 weeks | 7 weeks | 7 weeks | 9 weeks | 9 weeks |
| Bank Account Opening | 20 days | 20 days | 20 days | 20 days | 20 days | 20 days |
| Government Grants Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Government Contracts Bidding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Legal Liability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Client Required to Travel | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry |
Corporate Structure Explained
Uruguay limited liability company (SAU)
- The registration process of an LLC in Uruguay requires at least two shareholders and one director who may be a corporate entity or an individual person. They may be local or foreign citizens and don’t necessarily need to be a local resident in Uruguay. This entity needs a share capital of at least one share in any currency to complete its registration process.
- A limited liability company can be used as a tax-exempt company only if our client has no employees in Uruguay and has no business in Uruguay.
Uruguay public limited company (SA)
- For the incorporation process of the public limited company in Uruguay, also known as SA, there is a requirement of at least two shareholders and one director, who may be corporate or individual. The director and the shareholders may be local or foreign citizens and don’t necessarily need to be Uruguay residents. The 25 percent of the total share capital shall be paid up prior to the incorporation of the company.
- According to Uruguay’s corporate law, the PLC must also appoint a legal auditor even if the company’s shares are not traded on the local stock exchange.
Uruguay free trade zone company (SAZF)
- The Uruguay Free Trade Zone Company is usually an LLC or PLC registered in a Free Trade Zone. This type of business structure needs a minimum of two shareholders and one director for the incorporation process. The shareholders and the director may be a corporate body or an individual person and may not necessarily be a resident in Uruguay.
- If the total assets of a free trade zone company are more than USD 585,000 or annual turnover is more than USD 2.0 million, it must do statutory audit.
- This company must appoint a registered agent who may be a corporate body or an individual. Who must be a local resident in Uruguay. The company in Uruguay is exempt from local taxes, except from withholding tax on dividends repatriated abroad.
Uruguayan branch (Sucursal)
Foreign customers looking to create a permanent entity in Uruguay may incorporate a branch office as per Uruguay’s Company Law. The entity must appoint a minimum of one director who must be a local resident in Uruguay. A branch office in Uruguay is not treated as a separate entity, so the holding company is always responsible for its liabilities.
Uruguay representative office (Oficina de Representacion)
A representative office is not treated as a legal entity and is not allowed to carry on any sales and purchases and other business operations in the country. A representative office is only allowed to conduct, market surveys and promote its holding company’s products and services.