Visa requirements for visiting Argentina

With its thriving cities, glorious national parks, world-class wine and steaks, and diverse landscapes, Argentina calls out to travelers from across the globe.

Getting into the country can be difficult if you decide to visit. Information on tourist visas, how to extend your stay, traveling with children, and applying to work or study in Argentina can be found in this guide.

Many nationalities do not need a visa to travel to Argentina

Argentina's entry requirements for tourists are easy to understand. Visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and most other Western European countries don't need a visa to enter Argentina.

If you leave the country to travel to other countries, you will need a new stamp to re-enter Argentina.

A valid passport is required for at least six months from the date of entry. In Argentina, the police can demand identification, so it's a good idea to have a copy of your passport with you all the time.

Some countries require a visa.

Some people need a visa to go to Argentina. If you're from a country that isn't on the visa-exempt list, you can apply in your home country.

Do you want to get some help? You can let Elsewhere plan your trip.

Citizens from some countries are asked to pay a reciprocity fee

Before entering Argentina, citizens from some countries are required to pay a fee. The fee is the same for Argentines as it is for foreigners. In recent years, many of these arrangements have been abolished, so you should check with your local Argentine embassy or consulate to see if there are any fees involved.

Travelers can extend their visa for 90 days

Travelers can extend their stay in Argentina for another 90 days by applying at the main Direccin Nacional de Migraciones office. If you overstay the approved period of entry, you can be fined and ordered to leave the country within 10 days.

The fee for extending your stay in Argentina is 6000 for most travelers, but there is a reduced fee for South American nationals. During the week applications must be filed between 8am and 2pm. Don't leave things until the last minute because this can be a lengthy and time-Consuming process.

You can leave Argentina to get a new entry stamp

If you want to avoid applying for a visa extension, you can cross over to neighboring countries and claim a new 90-day entry stamp at the border. Buenos Aires is the easiest place to do this because of the regular boat services.

There are two things to think about. It's a good idea to check the entry requirements for the countries you're travelling to before you go. Argentine immigration officials have the power to refuse entry to you if they feel you are exploiting the system by hopping over the border multiple times.

Be sure you get an exit stamp

You should get an exit stamp in your passport when you leave Argentina via any land border. Argentine nationals are not required to get a stamp, and bus drivers will often drive straight across the frontier without stopping unless you tell them you need to. If you don't get an exit stamp, you can have trouble visiting Argentina.

Parents should be sure to have proper documentation for kids

When traveling with a dependent child, a mother or father must bring a document certifying that both parents agree to the child's travel to Argentina. Bring a copy of the custody form if you are separated from the other parent. It pays to be prepared, even if you won't be asked for either document.

Give yourself plenty of time if applying for work or study visa

You need to apply for a special class of visa if you want to study or work in Argentina. The process is bureaucratic and requires input from a sponsoring organization, so the paperwork should be completed in advance of travel. If you want to make an application, you should contact your local Argentine embassy.

The article was first published about a year ago.