Argentina at a Glance

Visa and Work Permits for Argentina

Argentina has always been one of Latin America's biggest immigrant nations.

When you think of moving to Argentina, what comes to mind? Tango, steak, and soccer? Moving to Argentina is about so much more than that. On InterNations, you’ll find useful information on your new home country, from its people and geography to entry requirements for expats.

Entry Requirements

In order to enter Argentina, you need a valid passport. Whether or not you must apply for a visa and which visa you require depends both on your nationality and on the purpose of your stay. For a short fact-finding trip to gather information for your expatriate assignment, a tourist visa is enough. It allows you to stay in the country for 30 to 90 days, depending on your country of origin.

Nationals of the following states do not need a tourist visa: Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, all EU member states, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Island, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, the US, Venezuela as well as a few other countries (such as Barbados or San Marino).

To get a tourist visa for Argentina, nationals of other states need the following:

valid passport
two completed application forms
two passport photographs
return ticket
proof of sufficient funds
hotel reservation in Argentina
consular fee

To apply for a short-term business visa, you have to present these documents:

valid passport
two completed application forms
two passport photographs
return ticket
proof of your business activity (from your non-Argentine company) or an approval from the National Immigration Office (via the Argentine business that has invited you)
consular fee

Visa of Temporary Residence

Everyone who wants to stay in Argentina for more than three months has to obtain a visa of temporary residence. This visa category is sub-divided into several groups, according to your reason for coming to Argentina, e.g. scientists, experts, academics, investors etc.

The procedure for getting a temporary residence visa is also dependent on whether or not you are a national of a MERCOSUR country. MERCOSUR, the South American customs union, includes the nations of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Moreover, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru are all associate members of MERCOSUR.

If you are a citizen of a MERCOSUR country, the following information does not apply to you.

Obtaining an Entry Permit and Work Visa

An expat employee from a non-MERCOSUR state applying for a temporary visa has to get an entrance permit (permiso de ingreso) from the National Immigration Office first. Since this is a slightly complicated procedure, please ask your Argentine employer, your company’s branch in Argentina, or an Argentine immigration lawyer to handle it for you. They will help you cut through the red tape and tell you which documents you are required to submit (e.g. documentation of your previous work experience).

When you have the entry permit, you can apply for a visa of temporary residence. In addition to showing your valid passport and your permiso de ingreso, you have to take care of the following:

Complete two application forms.
Have three passport photographs taken.
Present your employment contract (pre-signed by your future employer) OR a notarized certification for your intra-company transfer (verified according to the Hague apostil convention).
Bring your verified birth certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree (as applicable).
Get a certificate of good conduct and an affidavit that you don’t have an international police record.
Attend a personal interview with consular staff and pay the application fees.

It may be reassuring to know that getting an entry permit and “temporary family reunification visa” for a spouse, parent or child under 18 is far less complicated once the working family member has obtained his or her own temporary visa for Argentina.

Please also consult the National Immigration Office and your nearest Argentine mission.