Visas & Fees for Argentina
Nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia and most Western European countries such as the UK only need a valid passport to enter Argentina – by land – for up to 90 days. If traveling by air arriving in Buenos Aires, citizens of the U.S., Candada and Australia will need to obtain a visa (pay a fee at Immigrations) prior to entering the country.
Note: Embassy contact & emergency assistance information: Living in Argentina – Embassies of the USA, Canada, Australia & UK.
As of December, 2009 Argentina initiated a ‘reciprocity fee‘ for International visitors flying into Ezeiza International Airport. The amount you need to pay depends on your home country – for U.S. citizens it is $140 USD (recently increased from $131 USD), for Canadians $70 USD and for Australians $100 USD. If you travel overland or enter the country via bus or ferry you will not be charged the fee.
Stipulations for the reciprocity fee vary depend on your nationality as well. For U.S. citizens the stamp you will get in your passport is valid for 10 years and multiple entries. For Australian citizens, on the other hand, the fee must be paid each time they re-enter the country. The requirements established by the Argentine government with regards to this fee are in-effect the same requirements that are required of citizens of Argentina when traveling to the reciprocal country.
If you are a parent traveling solo with your child or children you may be asked to show a notarized document certifying that the other parent has agreed to allow the children to leave the U.S. This is not stringently enforced in Argentina.
In addition to the reciprocity fee charged upon entering the country, all travelers are charged a $18 USD departure tax (approximate, subject to change) when leaving the country by air. You can pay this fee with a MasterCard.
If you choose to stay in Argentina longer than 90 days you must either cross a border into a neighboring country and re-enter the country for a new 90 day tourist stamp in your passport or go to an Immigrations office and pay for an additional 90 days in the country – approximately $75 USD per person. After 180 days, you must leave the country but can re-enter at a border crossing (and start the process all over again).
If you overstay your alloted time you will be fined upon leaving the country at the border (or airport) – currently $75 USD.
If you want to live indefinitely in the country legally you can become a resident of Argentina. A few advantages of becoming a resident are: being able to purchase a car; own a business; low-cost college tuition for your children, and never having to leave the country to update a visa.
You do not need to become a resident in order to purchase property in Argentina. More information and how to buy real estate is located here: Living in Argentina – Purchasing Real Estate.
For more information on living in Argentina – click here to get your FREE online Living in Argentina Guide.
