As an expat in Argentina, you will most likely need a visa of some kind, unless you are planning to stay for less than three months. Although the procedures may be complex, you must hold a valid visa if you are planning to settle here, so don't pay attention to anyone who encourages you to move to Argentina without one; you'll only find yourself waiting with masses of other illegal immigrants to get your official documents.
For information on how to obtain a work visa for Argentina, read our article on work visas in Argentina. For information about all other types of visas, continue reading.
Transitory visa
For citizens of most countries* travelling to Argentina for leisure, tourism, a temporary business stint or religious mission, a free transitory visa will be issued upon arrival, which is valid for up to three months but does not allow for paid activity. For citizens of Grenada, Jamaica, Malaysia, the transitory visa is only valid for 30 days. Bear in mind that you must be in possession of a passport that is valid for six months beyond your travel dates, a round-trip or onward ticket, and a valid visa for your next destination (if applicable).
*You will find a complete list of free transitory-visa countries online. If your country is not listed, you will have to apply for a tourist visa at the Argentinian embassy or consulate in your country.
Permanent resident visa
It is very difficult to obtain a permanent resident visa in Argentina unless you have a parent and/or husband or wife of Argentine nationality, or if you are in possession of an investor visa. Sometimes your professional situation might also qualify you for permanent residency.
In order to gain permanent residency, it is necessary to visit the National Immigration Office with the appropriate documents and paperwork, which vary depending on the type of application and whether it is as an individual or for business. The process also differs for applicants from non-MERCOSUR states.
As a foreign national, you must be over 18 to qualify for permanent residency and have been a temporary resident in Argentina for at least two years, with documentation to prove this. If you marry an Argentinian citizen, you are then eligible to apply for permanent residency.
The required documents are as follows:
- Birth certificate notarized by the Argentinian consulate in the country of origin
- Photocopy of identification documents
- Proof of residence in previous country
- Proof of financial security
- Children's birth certificates
Investor visa
The investor visa was created for foreigners wishing to invest a minimum of ARS 1,500,000 (roughly â¬54,500) in an Argentinian goods or service-related activity or sector.
In order to begin the application process, you must present a business plan including how you intend to invest your 1.5 million pesos. The business plan will be evaluated by the DNM, who will, in turn, inform the consulate whether it has been approved or denied. The formalities and the documents checklist are the same as for the temporary work visa and, should any of the documents presented be in a language other than Spanish, a translation will be required.
Other visas
Other visas are granted to foreign nationals, such as the retiree visa and visa for religious missions. For more information, contact your nearest Argentinian embassy or consulate.
We hope you found this article useful! Read on for more information on life as an expat in Argentina.
Useful links:
ANSES - Administracion Nacional de la Seguridad Social
Dirección Nacional de Migrations
Argentinian embassy in the USA
Argentinian embassy in the UK
Argentinian embassy in Australia
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
