Argentina Visa

Argentina is blessed with ample and varied natural wonders, cultural assets and high exchange rate to other currencies. Thus, it’s not a surprise that it has one of the most booming tourisms in South America. In 2005 alone, the National Institute of Statistics and Census reported that tourism was the country’s third largest source of income. Hence, the Argentine government surely focuses on their immigration and customs laws and policies.

If you wish to visit Argentina in the near future, the first thing that you should have, aside from your passport, is a visa. There are several different types of passports that you can choose from. Be sure that you pick the one that matches the purpose of your visit. Whether you just want to be amazed by Argentina’s natural beauty or experience working in a South American environment, having the proper valid visa will keep you out of trouble.

Who needs a visa?

Everyone who travels to Argentina must have a visa except for the following:

• citizens of the United States and the European Union for stays of 90 days
• citizens of other countries in the region ( Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela) for stays of up to 90 days
• transit passengers who continue their journey in a period of six hours without stepping out of the airport

Note that these exemptions are effective only on tourist and business trips. If you don’t belong to any of them, you need to consult the Argentine embassy or consulate for more details.

Types Available and Requirements

There are two major types of visas that are available to ordinary citizens: tourist visa and business visa.

Tourist Visa

If you wish to visit Argentina and enjoy what it has to offer without working or seeking employment, you need a tourist visa. To obtain one, you need to produce the following documents:

• a valid passport
• a completed form of request
• a passport-size photograph
• a return ticket
• payment of the application fee (cash or postal check)
• a letter from your company

Generally, tourist visas are valid for up to 90 days (three months). If you wish to extend your stay, you may do so by consulting with the Consular Section of the Embassy. Be aware that visa extensions are possible for some nationalities and not everyone.

Business Visa

If you have a business agenda in Argentina, what you need is a business visa. To get one, here are the documents you need to produce:

• a valid passport
• a completed form of request
• a passport-size photograph
• a return ticket
• payment of the application fee (cash or postal check)
• a letter from your company
• a letter of invitation from the Argentine company hiring you
• a letter of introduction from the contracting company
• banking references

Business visas are valid up to 90 days. However, if you are an artist or a musician and you will be in Argentina for less than 15 days, you may want to take advantage of “visa of 15 days.” The requirements are the same. You only need to prepare a letter to the company or organization who asks for your services. It usually costs US$30.

Additional Information

In Argentina, if you are below 21, you are considered a minor. All minors who wish to enter the country without their parents must present a written authorization signed by their parents.

Another important thing to remember is that it is very unlikely that you will be issued a visa if you are from a country wherein cholera and yellow fever are endemic and you have not received vaccines against them. Other than these two, no other vaccines are required to visit Argentina.