Argentina remains one of the countries in the world you should visit. As is generally required, the first step in planning to travel to Argentina is to obtain a visa that suits the purpose of your travel, unless you are coming from a visa-exempt country.
This page will guide you through everything you need to know about applying for a visa to the beautiful cities in Argentina. So, relax and enjoy this ride!
Argentina, the most southerly nation in South America, is also one of the world’s largest nations, with a total area of more than one million square miles. Due to its size, it has a fairly varied climate that has something to offer everyone. In addition to deserts and jungles in the subtropical north, there are ski resorts and glaciers on the frigid subantarctic in the far south. And in between, there are lovely cities with exquisite architecture and rich cultural heritage, like Buenos Aires or La Plata.
When Do You Need an Argentina Visa?
Unless you are from one of the nations listed below, you need to get a visa to enter Argentina. Except where otherwise noted, nationals of the following nations are not required to get a visa to enter Argentina for stays of up to 90 days:
| Any EU country | Andorra | Armenia | Australia | Barbados |
| Belarus | Canada | Costa Rica | Dominica | El Salvador |
| Fiji | Georgia | Grenada | Guatemala | Guyana |
| Hong Kong | Honduras | Iceland | Israel | Jamaica (up to 30 days) |
| Japan | Kazakhstan (up to 30 days) | Liechtenstein | Macau (up to 30 days) * | Malaysia (up to 30 days) |
| Mexico | Monaco | Mongolia | Montenegro | New Zealand |
| Nicaragua | North Macedonia | Norway | Panama | Qatar |
| Russia | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | San Marino |
| Serbia | Singapore | South Africa | South Korea | Sovereign Military Order of Malta |
| Suriname | Switzerland | Thailand | Trinidad and Tobago | Turkey |
| Ukraine | United Arab Emirates | United States | Vatican City |
If you are from one of the aforementioned countries, you only need a passport, valid for at least six more months, and a return travel ticket to travel to Argentina.
Persons Eligible to Enter Argentina with their ID
If you are a national of one of the following countries, you can enter Argentina with just your ID for up to 90 days:
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Persons Who Require Travel Authorization
Nationals of the following countries have to apply for a Travel Authorization from the relevant Argentina diplomatic missions before they can enter Argentina:
- Kosovo
- Nauru
- Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
Types of Argentina Visas
There are two major types of visas for Argentina. They are short-term visas (also known as an Argentina Tourist Visas) and long-term visas (Residency Visas).
Argentina Tourist Visa (Short-term visas)
Foreign nationals who visit Argentina for a brief period are granted a tourist visa. It has a three-month maximum validity period and falls under the following subcategories:
- Argentina Tourist Visa issued to foreigners entering the country for tourism or other recreational purposes.
- Argentina Business Visa issued to foreigners who need to enter the country for reasons related to their work.
- Argentina Medical Treatment Visa issued to foreigners who need to enter Argentina to receive medical treatment in an Argentinian health institution.
- Argentina Media/Journalist Visa issued to members of the media who are traveling to Argentina for their work.
- Argentina Religious Visa, for foreigners who are members of an officially recognized religious order in Argentina and are traveling for reasons related to religion.
Nationals of several countries are exempt from visa requirements for short-term stays, as detailed above.
Argentina Residency Visas (long-term visas)
As the name implies, foreign nationals who wish to establish residence in Argentina are granted long-term (Residence) visas. Argentina issues the following categories of residency permits most frequently:
- Argentina Work Visa, which is issued to foreigners who have found a job in Argentina and obtained a work permit. Your employer arranges your work permit on your behalf.
- Argentina Student Visa, which is issued to foreigners who want to pursue their studies in an Argentinian educational institution.
- Argentina Family Visa, which is issued to foreigners who want to join a close family member who is a citizen or permanent resident of Argentina.
- Argentina Investment Visa, which is issued to foreigners who invest a substantial amount of money into an activity, trade, or service in Argentina (about 1.5 million Argentine Pesos).
- Argentina Retirement Visa, which is issued to foreigners who want to retire in Argentina and can sustain themselves financially without the need to work. They must have a monthly income of at least 30,000 Argentine Pesos from pensions.
- Argentina Digital Nomad Visa was launched on May 21st, 2022, and is dedicated to remote workers in Argentina. It lets digital nomads work for either an international company or an Argentinian company.
In addition to the visa, all foreign nationals who want to stay in Argentina for longer than three months need to register with the authorities in Argentina upon arrival and get a residence permit/National ID Card.
Argentina Transit Visa
Foreign nationals who intend to enter Argentina’s territory to travel to another nation are granted a transit visa. The duration of the transit visa for Argentina is ten days. At the National Immigration Directorate, the visa may be renewed under exceptional circumstances.
A transit visa is not necessary for passengers who will change planes in an airport in Argentina but who will remain in the transit region for less than 12 hours.
Requirements for Argentina Visa
You must compile several supporting documents before submitting your visa application to Argentina. Depending on your travel objective, additional documentation must be submitted. However, the required documentation for all visa applications to Argentina is as follows:
- Argentina Visa Application Form completed and signed.
- The application form is available for download from the website of the embassy or consulate. You can fill it out by hand or online, then download it after. Depending on the particular embassy or consulate.
- Your passport. The passport must be valid for at least another six months, starting from the date you intend to depart Argentina. It must have at least two blank pages.
- Photocopies of your passport (and if required, previous passports) showing the personal details and any previous and current visas
- Pictures of yourself, with the following specifications:
- Dimensions: 4cm x 4cm
- White background
- Colored
- Taken recently
- Neutral facial expression
- Return flight tickets or travel itinerary
- Proof you have accommodation in Argentina
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration of your stay, such as through bank statements
- Proof of paid Argentina visa fee
- For minors: Travel authorization from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s), legalized by an Apostille or the Argentina consulate or embassy.
See specific requirements for some of the most common types of Argentina visa below:
Requirements for Argentina Tourist Visa
When you apply for a Tourist Visa for Argentina, in addition to the documents above, you must have the following required documents:
- Proof of hotel reservation. If you are staying with a family member or friends, include a letter of invitation from your host. The letter must be certified by a Notary and legalized and accompanied by the ID of the host.
- Documents regarding your employment status:
- If you are employed: A letter from your employer confirming your employment, and stating your position in the company, how long you will be absent, and your salary.
- If you are a student: A letter from your school, confirming your enrollment, details of your course, and how long you will be absent
- If you are self-employed: Your business’ official registration or proof of tax returns
Requirements for Argentina Business Visa
When traveling to Argentina for business, in addition to the documents above, you need the following documents as well:
- Letter of Invitation from the company in Argentina, in original and copy
- Letter from your employer, stating that you are taking the trip for business, as well as details of your work in the company
Requirements for Argentina Work Visa
If you’re traveling to Argentina because you have found long-term employment, the documents you need to submit are:
- Employment contract, which is signed by the Argentinian employer, and containing the hiring company’s registration number. The contract must be legalized and notarized.
- A certificate of criminal records, issued by police authorities in your country.
- Copies of your diploma/certifications.
Requirements for Argentina Student Visa
If you’re traveling to Argentina to pursue further studies, the additional documents you need are:
- Proof of enrollment in your educational institution
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover stay and studies
- A certificate of criminal records, issued by police authorities in your country.
Requirements for Argentina Family Visa
If you are traveling to Argentina to join a family member who is already living there, the additional documents you need are:
- A certificate of criminal records, issued by police authorities in your country.
- Proof of family relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate as applicable
- A certified copy of the National Identity Document (DNI) of your family member in Argentina
PLEASE NOTE:
The list of needed documents is not all-inclusive. The embassy or consulate where you apply may require more (or fewer) documents based on their discretion.
Many of the documents you submit (such as academic transcripts, civil status certificates, or police clearance) must be legalized, either by the Argentina embassy or consulate or through the Apostille process.
You will most likely need to do so if they are not already translated. When submitting the documents, make sure to include both versions.
How to Apply for an Argentina Visa
You have to apply for an Argentina visa at a diplomatic mission of Argentina in your country, such as an embassy or consulate. The application process is as follows:
- Set up an appointment with the Argentinian embassy or consulate
- Collect the required documents and pay the visa fee
- Submit the documents and attend the visa interview
Setting up an appointment
You must make contact with the Argentinan embassy or consulate in your nation, which is in charge of processing visa applications before you submit the required paperwork.
Sometimes you may need to travel to a nearby country to apply if there is no Argentinian diplomatic representation in your nation.
Gather the Necessary Documents and Pay the Fees
Once you’ve scheduled a visa appointment, you must complete the online Argentina visa application form. The next step is to gather all the paperwork needed to apply for an Argentina visa. Depending on the sort of visa you apply for, the requirements fluctuate (see the Argentina visa requirements below).
A non-refundable processing fee for Argentina visa applications is furthermore required. The payment method will probably be disclosed by the embassy or consulate, or they might have the necessary details on their website.
Submit the Documents and Show up for the Interview
You must present the necessary paperwork in person on the day of your appointment after gathering it all and paying the visa cost for Argentina.
If the embassy or consulate officials insist on a visa interview, you must go there as well.
After submitting your application, you must wait while your visa is processed. If your application is accepted, you’ll get an Argentina visa sticker for your passport, and you can go there as long as the visa is valid.
Please Note:
Specifically, the Argentinian embassy or consulate where you apply may differ differently depending on the nation in which you reside. Because of this, the first step is to contact the relevant diplomatic mission or visit their website to learn about the specific application submission rules.
Some diplomatic mission offices may allow you to submit the documents through the post.
Eligibility to Apply for an Argentina Visa Online
You are eligible to get an Argentine visa online (Electronic Travel Authorization – ETA) if you:
- Are from one of the countries listed in the table below; and
- You have a valid B2 visa issued by the USA or a valid Schengen Visa; and
- Your current visa is valid for at least three more months
If you are eligible for the Argentina ETA, you can apply here. You must attach electronic files of the scanned pages of your passport and pay the ETA visa fee online. If approved, you will receive an electronic visa, which you must print and bring with you when you travel to Argentina. The ETA is valid for three months and allows multiple entries into the country.
The countries whose nationals are eligible for the Argentina Electronic Travel Authorization are:
| Albania | Angola | Antigua and Barbuda | Bahamas | Bahrain | Belize |
| Benin | Bhutan | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Botswana | Burkina Faso | Burundi |
| Cambodia | Cameroon | Cape Verde | The Central African Republic | Cuba | Democratic Republic Of Congo |
| Djibouti | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea | Eswatini |
| Ethiopia | Gabon | The Gambia | Ghana | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau |
| India | Indonesia | Ivory Coast | Kenya | Kiribati | Laos |
| Lesotho | Madagascar | Malawi | Maldives | Marshall Islands | Mauricio |
| Moldova | Mozambique | Myanmar | Namibia | Nauru | Nepal |
| Niger | Oman | Palau | Papua New Guinea | Philippines | Republic of China |
| Republic Of Congo | Rwanda | Samoa | Sao Tome and Principe | Senegal | Seychelles |
| Sierra Leone | Solomon Islands | Tanzania | Togo | Tonga | Tuvalu |
| Uganda | Vanuatu | Vietnam | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
Argentina Visa fees
There is a visa cost for Argentina that must be paid before your application can be submitted. Depending on the type of visa you apply for and the consulate handling your application, the cost of an Argentina visa may differ. However, you’ll probably be required to make the following payments:
- Argentina Visa Fee: €150 – €200
- Argentina Transit Visa Fee: €40
Additionally, citizens of the US, Australia, and Canada were required to pay a Reciprocity Fee, when traveling to Argentina, despite not needing to apply for a visa. However, as of 2018, citizens of the US and Australia are no longer required to pay this fee, at least for the time being.
Citizens of Canada still have to pay the Argentina Reciprocity Fee (about $160).
Processing Time For Argentina Visa
The individual embassy or consulate where you apply will have a significant impact on how quickly your visa will be processed. While other consulates will require more time, some offer to process the visa in as little as one week. However, it is advised that you submit your application for an Argentina visa at least 45 days before you plan to depart.
Duration of an Argentina Visa
Multiple entrances are permitted into Argentina with a three-month visa, which is also valid for other countries. Up to 90 days are allowed for your stay.
You must apply for a residence permit upon arrival if you wish to be allowed to stay for longer than 90 days for long-term purposes (work or study).
How to Extend an Argentina Visa
Yes, you can. To get an extension on your Argentina Tourist Visa for another 90 days you must apply at the immigration office in Buenos Aires (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones), and pay the appropriate extension fee.
Argentina Visa for US citizens
For stays up to 90 days, US citizens are not required to have a visa for Argentina. You can leave the country as a US citizen with nothing more than your passport and a return ticket.
The passport must have at least two blank pages available for the entry and exit stamps and be suitable for at least another six months.
In addition, US residents no longer need to pay the $160 Reciprocity Fee to enter Argentina as of 2018.
Where can you apply for an Argentina visa in the US?
If you’re living in the US, but are not a US citizen, you can apply for an Argentina visa at one of the diplomatic missions of Argentina in the US. These are:
- The Embassy of Argentina in Washington
- The Consulate of Argentina in Atlanta
- The Consulate of Argentina in Chicago
- The Consulate of Argentina in Houston
- The General Consulate and Promotion Center of Argentina in Los Angeles
- The General Consulate and Promotion Center of Argentina in Miami
- The General Consulate and Promotion Center of Argentina in New York
- The Permanent Mission of Argentina in New York
- The Permanent Mission of Argentina in Washington
You must first contact the Argentina diplomatic mission to request an appointment through email. You can find the contact information for each diplomatic mission on their websites.
Argentina visa for Indian citizens
Indian citizens have to apply for a visa before they travel to Argentina. As an Indian citizen, you must apply for a visa at an Argentinan diplomatic mission in India, such as:
- The Consular Section of the Embassy of Argentina in New Delhi
- The Consulate General of Argentine in Mumbai
Online Argentina visa for Indian citizens
Indian citizens who possess a current B2 visa from the USA or a current Schengen visa are eligible for the Argentina Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). A minimum of three more months must pass before the visa expires.
You will be sent a printable electronic version of the application, which you must take with you on your trip if it is accepted.
I believe this page has fed you richly on how to go about applying for an Argentina visa. You can start right away with planning your first or next trip to Argentina today!
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