Overview
Argentina is famous world over for football and of course Lionel Messi but there are so many other things that the world doesn’t know about Argentina. Rivers, Canyons, Volcanos, Glaciers, Lakes, Mountains and of course the Ocean, Argentina is the place where you can see the mesmerising beauty of mother nature. Argentina is heaven for the adventurers and backpackers. And if you like to shake a leg, you can always do Tango in the streets of Buenos Aires.
The name ‘Argentina’ means ‘made of silver or silver coloured’ in Italian language. It is the eighth biggest country in the world. In the North, Argentina shares its border with Bolivia and Paraguay; in the East with Brazil and Uruguay; and in the West with Chile. The federal capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires. The capital city - Buenos Aires is called the Paris of South America. It is a sprawling metrocity where you can enjoy shopping, food and an amazing nightlife. There are many architectural marvels, parks, museums and historical monuments that you can explore on your visit to Argentina.
Argentina holds an amazing history of civilizations and this area was ruled by the Inca Empire in pre-columbian era. Traces of human civilizations from Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic are found in Argentina, the most famous of them being the cave of hands in Santa Cruz province. The country saw many waves of immigration from Spain and Italy, which is why the culture of Argentina has strong connect with Italian and Spanish culture. In this Travel and Visa Guide for Argentina, you’ll get everything there is to know about Argentina.
Application Process
The Visa process for Argentina needs to be done offline. The application and all the required documents need to be submitted in paper, in person or through an agent. Citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India can apply for Visa at the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in New Delhi. People from Maharashtra and Karnataka state must apply for Visa at the office of the Consulate General of the Argentine Republic in Mumbai. There are many different types of Visa available for Argentina but the 3 main category of Visa are: Transitory Visa, Work Visa and Permanent Visa.
- The Visa process for Argentina can only be done offline, hence the application as well as the documents needs to be submitted to the Consulate of Argentina in person or by courier. Applications submitted online or by email will not be considered.
- The applicant must answer all the questions in the Visa application form. Incomplete application form will not be processed further.
- Read the list of documents required for different Visa categories and get the documents/ letters translated into Spanish by professionals. Documents with online/ improper translation will not be accepted.
- The Visa process might take as many as 3 weeks to be completed. So, make sure you apply for Visa well in advance.
- Applicants can do the paperwork themselves or they can get it done through agents, as per their convenience.
- Always check and recheck the application and the documents before submitting because furnishing false information may lead you to permanent ineligibility for Visa.
- Once the Visa application is submitted to the Consulate of Argentina, the Visa Officers will review it and inform the applicant within 3 working days if any corrections/ additional information is required.
- If the application fulfils all the necessary requirements, the applicant will be called for a personal interview with the Consular Officer. The interview is mandatory for all types of Visa.
- If the application is successfully processed and approved, the applicant will need to pay the Visa fees by depositing the money in Bank. The fees is not accepted in cash at the Consulate.
- After the Visa approval and payment of Visa fees, the Visa will be issued by the authority within 5 working days. There is no need to do follow up with the Consulate on the status of Visa during this time. The officials will contact you when the Visa is ready for pick up.
Documents Required:
TOURIST VISA
- All the required documents need to be presented in original, along with the application. Photocopies of the documents will not be accepted.
- A passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the intended date of entry in Argentina. Also, there must be at least one page completely empty for the Visa.
- One latest passport size (4 cm x 4 cm) photograph with 80% area covering the face of the applicant.
- A round-trip ticket booking for Argentina
- Hotel reservation details for stay in Argentina. If the purpose of visit is meeting family or friends and the applicant is planning to stay with them, the applicant does not need to furnish the hotel reservation details.
- Original personal bank statement for the last 6 months as a proof of financial security. The consulate may ask for the credit card statement of the applicant, if necessary.
- A notarised letter describing the purpose of visit to Argentina and tentative itinerary of the visit, including the list of cities the applicant is planning to visit. This letter needs to be translated to Spanish by professionals. The translated letter doesn’t need to be notarized.
- If the purpose of visit is meeting family or friends, the applicant needs to furnish the original invitation letter from the family members or friends, along with their Argentine ID (DNI). This invitation letter needs to be notarized by Argentine Public Notary.
- If the applicant is self-employed or a student, documents or certificate describing the current occupation of the applicant needs to be submitted along with the application. These documents need to be notarized and translated to Spanish by professional translators. The translated documents need not be notarized.
- It is advisable to furnish documents describing the experience of the applicant in his/her field of expertise and details of current occupation.
WORK VISA
- All the required documents need to be presented in original,along with the application. Photocopies of the documents will not be accepted.
- A passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the intended date of entry in Argentina. Also, there must be at least one page completely empty for the Visa.
- One latest passport size (4 cm x 4 cm) photograph with 80% area covering the face of the applicant.
- A round-trip ticket booking for Argentina
- Hotel reservation details for stay in Argentina
- Original personal bank statement for the last 6 months as a proof of financial security. The consulate may ask for the credit card statement of the applicant, if necessary.
- If the purpose of the visit is related to work, the applicant needs to submit a letter from the employer authorising the trip and confirming that applicant is currently employed there along with the details of tenure of the employee. The letter must be on the organization’s letterhead and it must be signed by competent authority. Also, the letter needs to be notarized and translated to Spanish by professional translators.
- The last month’s salary slip also needs to be attached along with the letter from your employer.
- If the applicant is the owner of the organization, the official registration document of the organization and last year’s income tax return needs to be furnished with the application.
- The original invitation letter in Spanish, from the company/ institution/ client in Argentina is also to be submitted along with application. Also, the letter needs to be certified by a Public Notary and Public Notaries Association.
- The invitation letter needs to be addressed to the Head of the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in New Delhi.
- The invitation letter must have details about the applicant’ identity, purpose of the visit, details of tasks that the applicant will be performing in Argentina and the exact period of stay in Argentina. The letter must clarify if the applicant has previously visited Argentina.
- The company/ clients inviting the applicant to Argentina for other than tourism purposes, must be registered with the RENURE of the National Migration Office in Argentina. The RENURE registration number must be clearly mentioned in the invitation letter.
- Also, the invitation letter must be signed only by the person whose signature is registered with the RENURE.
- An original letter from the Chamber of Commerce/ Federation/ Association/ Council of the state where the applicant’s organization is registered, confirming the organization’s registration is also to be furnished along with the organization’s registration certificate.
- The letter must be on letterhead and signed by competent authority. Also, the letter needs to be notarized and translated to Spanish by professional translators.
- If the applicant is visiting Argentina for participating in Trade Fair/ Exhibitions/ Market Research Activities, the certificate of enrolment in such event and RENURE accreditation of the organizer of the event also need to be attached.
Fees for Argentina Visa:
The documents required depends on the type of visa you are applying for. There are no fees for Tourist Visa for Indians. The fees for temporary/ permanent Work Visa is 250 USD.
Important Update for Indian citizens
Indian nationals with a valid ordinary passports can easily obtain the E-VISA or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for tourism purpose too, if they hold any of the following Visa.
- B2 US Visa valid for 6 months
- Category C Schengen Visa valid for 6 months
The multiple entry/ exit ETA will have a validity of 3 months from the date of issue and it might take upto 20 working days for processing. The fees for ETA is 50 USD.
