Easy Expat - International Relocation Portal: Move, Work, Live Abroad  Print

Buenos Aires


 Departure


Passport, Visa & Permits


All visitors to Argentina must have a passport with at least six months' remaining validity except citizens of the following countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, who only need to present their national identity cards.

Citizens of the following countries DO NOT need a visa to visit Argentina:

All other visitors must present a valid visa. To obtain a visa, consult the Argentine embassy or consulate for your home country. Visas are issued for tourist and business trips.

Business Visas for 15 days (for artists, musicians, etc.) and Transit Visas costy approximately USD 30.

Tourist Visas are generally valid for up to 90 days, with extension possible for citizens of some countries (consult with the Consulate or the Consular Section of the Embassy).

Visa Requirements:

Tourist Visa

(a) valid passport

(b) visa request form

(c) one passport sized photograph.

(d) visa application fee, paid in cash, by check or postal check

(e) return Ticket.

(f) letter from applicant's employer on official letterhead

15-day Visa

Items (a) through (e) listed above, plus a letter on official letterhead from the organization or company detailing the requirement for the services of the applicant.

Business Visa

(two-day turnaround)

Items (a) through (e) listed above, plus

(f) a letter of introduction in the applicant's original language, translated into Spanish

(g) banking references

Minors who travel with persons who are not their legal guardians or alone into or out of Argentina must present a letter of authority of their legal parents or tutors approved by the Argentine Consulate. Visitors who do not adhere to these regulations risk severe fines and deportation. Any one under the age of 21 is considered a minor.

Temporary Residence Visa

Students also need a temporary residence visa to attend school in Argentina, along with individuals seeking medical care and temporary workers, whether paid or unpaid. Temporary visas are issued by the National Directorate of Migration ( Dirección Nacional de Migraciones) in Argentina. The application costs are approximately 200 euros. The issuing costs are approximately 100 euros paid to the consulate. Once employees arrive in Argentina, they must also obtain a DNI/ National Identity Document and a CUIL/ Unique Code for Work Identification.

The requirements to apply for a temporary work visa are:

The most common types of work visas are:

Student visas are issued for the duration of 6 months or 1 year and can be extended by the National Directorate of Migration in Argentina. Students must be registered at an officially accredited educational institution in Argentina. These institutions include secondary education/high-school, university or post-graduate level education. The following documents are required for a student visa:

Investors also need a residence visa. They must demonstrate the availability of at least AR$ 100,000 in a commercial, production or service activity

Further requirements:

Retirement visas are issued to people who can demonstrate a a monthly income of at least AR$ 2,000. Requirements at application include a four standard-size passport photos, birth certificate, statement of good conduct, valid passport and payment of the application fee. Individuals with investment income from abroad of at least AR$ 2,500 monthly are eligible for a rentista visa. This visa is issued for the duration of one year and can be renewed.

Foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in Argentina can apply for a 1-year multiple-entry medical visa at the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Minors of age, disabled persons or individuals that due to their health cannot travel and reside alone may be accompanied by family, legal representatives of caregivers. The patient's medical record and information on the location and type of medical treatment is required. If treatment is sought at a public hospital a statement has to be signed by the director of the hospital. If treatment is sought at a private clinic or doctor, the statement must be certified by the Health Department.

All foreigners travelling to Argentina as part of a cultural exchange (Rotary International, YfU, AFS) need a visa. This visa has a validity of 1 year and must be obtained from the Consulate in the country of residence of the applicant. To obtain the cultural exchange visa, a letter signed by the official representative of the institution and certified by an Argentinean notary stating that all costs of of the applicant will be covered by the cultural institution must be presented. The letter must contain the personal data of the applicant, the address in Argentina, and the educational institution where the applicant will be studying as well as a guarantee declaration of the inviting institution.

Further Requirements:

Visa extensions

Visa extensions may be obtained through the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones at Av. Antártida Argentina 1355, Capital Federal. Tel: 43170200.

Permanent visas

Permanent visas are available for parents, children and spouses of Argentinean citizens, which allows them to live in Argentina.   The requirements are:

Passport Requirements

To become an Argentinean citizen, you generally have to be resident in Argentina for 2 years and fulfil the following conditions.

Argentina has an agreement which allows dual citizenship with the following countries: Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Italy, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

Useful Addresses


29/05/2009

Return to previous page.