Getting there and Tourist Visas
Overview
Russian citizens do not need a Visa to enter Argentina. Upon entry they automatically receive a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days, that can be extended for another 90 days for maximum total of 180 days.
The process of getting a tourist visa is relatively ample. Upon arrival at the airport, you will need to present the following information to the immigration official:
- Russian passport valid for at least 60 days after the planned end of your trip (i.e. valid for as long as possible)
- Completed Immigration Card, (the card will be on the plane prior to arrival
- Airline Ticket for a return flight or flight to a third country
- Proof of accommodation booking
- Proof of funds equivalent to US$50 /day for duration of trip. Often just a demonstration of a valid credit card is sufficient. Please note that you can bring an unlimited amount of US$ into the country, however, you can take out only US$10,000.
The immigration official will review your documents and stamp your passport with a Tourist Visa. The official will also return to you the stamped Immigration Card. Make sure to keep this card as you will need to present it when exiting the country. Also be sure to note the date of Visa expiration. You will need to either renew your Visa or leave the country by that date.
Prolonging Your Stay
There are three ways you can prolong your stay in Argentina for more than 90 days:
- Renew your existing Tourist Visa
- Get a new Tourist Visa
- Get Resident status
Due to the 180-day limitation, you can renew your existing Tourist Visa only once, for another 90 days. To get a new Tourist Visa you will need to leave the country and come back on a new visa.
Ideally you can extend your sojourn in Argentina indefinitely by alternating Tourist Visa extensions with getting new Tourist Visas by leaving the country every six months. This, in fact, has been a common practice for many long-term visitors to Argentina.
A less onerous method would be to obtain Resident status, which can only be achieved if you have an Argentine employer, or an academic institution sponsoring you, or if you or your spouse give birth to a child while in Argentina.
Given the recent large influx of Russians into the country, Argentinian immigration authorities are becoming more stringent. At present, there has not been many issues reported, however it would be prudent to check the latest developments before embarking on any migration process.
I try to keep track of Visa issues, so please make sure you check the “News” section for translations of the latest news from Buenos Aires or check “Russian” section to see how you can get insights from Russians currently in Argentina. Details on how you can pursue both options for extending your Tourist visa as well as some suggestions on how to seek Resident status are outlined below.
Option 1: Extending Existing Tourist Visa
To extend your tourist visa in Argentina, without leaving the country, you will need to go to the Department of Immigration or the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. The section processing tourist visas is located inside building 4. But you will need to transit through building 3 first. Come early as the lines are long and they stop admitting people at 1:00 pm. If you did not make it through the line and to the processing counter by that time, you will need to return another day.
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones Building
Migraciones What to Expect:
You do not need to wait in the first line to enter the building, which is usually very long as it includes all visa and residency seekers. Ask security to direct you to counter D in building 4 where Tourist Visa Extensions are processed.
To get to building 4 you will need to pass through building 3, where you will find another line. Once you get to an attendant and tell them that you need a visa extension, they will take your passport and may pull you out of the line to wait. The attendant will return with your passport and a number ticket.
Migraciones: Visa Processing
Take the number ticket to Building 3 where you will find another line. There you will wait for the number on your ticket to be displayed on the screen along with the counter number you will need to approach.
The immigration officer at the counter will take your passport and ticket. You will also need to provide the following information :
- Your contact information: email and cell phone number
- Your address in Argentina
- Your occupation
- Your education level
- You will be photographed and fingerprinted.
You will be given another ticket to take to the cashier where you will pay $4,000 pesos (approx. US$20) and be given a stamped receipt. Take the receipt back to the processing officers
You may then need to wait until another officer stamps and returns your passport with a Visa Extension stamp. Here is the what a Visa Extension stamp looks like.
Tourist Visa Extension Passport Stamp
Source: https://inlovelyblue.com/visa-extension-renewal-buenosaires
Option 2: Getting A New Tourist Visa
In order to get a new Tourist Visa and thereby add another 90 or potentially 180 days to your stay, you will need to exit and then re-enter the country. The easiest way to accomplish this is by taking a trip across the Rio de la Plata to Uruguay on a Buquebus.
Buquebus leaving Puerto Madero
The Buquebus is a high speed boat that takes about an hour to reach Colonia Del Sacramento del Uruguay from Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires. Once in Uruguay, you can spend the weekend visiting Colonia (a UNESCO World Heritage site), or you can just turn around and come back on the return boat. The boat ride takes about an hour and costs Peso$8,500 each way, or approximately US$37. Upon re-entry into Argentina you will get your passport stamped with a new Tourist Visa, following the same process as one used when you first arrived.
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