Migrations Tips and Tricks for Argentina
Navigating Argentinian bureaucracy can be intimidating. Let’s talk migrations tips.
A big problem in Argentina’s system isn’t that it’s difficult to use. Instead it’s that there’s no one place with all the steps listed on what you need to do. I’m going to list some key websites to go to and give some pointers on things that confused me. Hopefully that helps to bridge that gap. So onto those migrations tips.
Perhaps the most important website:
RADEX: This is the site you will start your residence application. For the most part, its step-by-step is clear. Except when you have to pay. They’ll send you an email with these PDF tickets, but they don’t tell you how to pay with them.
Tip: In the province of Buenos Aires, I had to go to my nearest BaPro Pagos. This is some form of pay-your-government-bills office. Ask the closest RapiPago or Pago Fácil place and they should be able to direct you. This will probably depend on your specific location.
Migrations: On this page you will find information in Spanish on all resdience options. After you use RADEX and have your appointment, you may need to go to residencias under autogestión to follow your progress. You will also find their chat bot on this page. This chat bot has a lot of useful answers for what you want to know from residence questions to border policy. But if you still don’t find what you’re looking for, you’ll eventually be directed to a person at migrations to talk with. Tip: Use the chat bot if for any reason you’re in a weird place in your residence or are just totally confused on what to do.
Other potentially useful sites. For students, the Ministry of Education’s appointments site may be useful. Some provincial governments respond on social media, also. Guiamigrante can help you if you’re having trouble with your residence. RENAPER‘s contact info so you can get your DNI.
More migrations tips.
If you’re in a weird situation: Go to the migrations help desk with a letter explaining the issue. They’ll talk to you quickly if you carry a letter with you. Briefly explain your situation in the letter. Bring your passport and any other documents you think may be relevant! If they tell you that you need to pedir informe or letra A, that means you need to be at the migrations building at 8 am sharp. Or earlier! As they only take the first 100 people.
You also may want to keep your related receipts. Migrations sometimes asks for them.
Last but not least: Relax. Argentina will not deport you for overstaying your visa. Don’t worry, be happy : )
Some comments on the visa types and the common paths people take.
One important note is that Argentina doesn’t have a digital nomad visa (though it’s considering one). Its work visa doesn’t allow for working online. So people who work online commonly pick a student visa or have an Argentine partner or relative.
Its rentista visa for income requires passive income, not active, working, income. Though there seems to be a financier visa that needs to be done outside of Argentina. So talk to your Argentine consulate before moving!
While you can overstay your tourist visa and it’s not a big deal, don’t do that if at all possible. Getting residence makes life easier. If you don’t have a work contract or a partner/relative, I recommend a student visa.
While you can get the visa without actually studying (though you won’t be able to renew), please do. Take the opportunity to learn Spanish. Or take the opportunity to learn something for fun. Education here is low cost and even sometimes free. I’ve learned a lot and feel far closer to the culture by taking university classes here.
If you have a significant other that you’re not married to, but committed, I consider the convivencia. It’s like marriage but by default your stuff is your stuff and their stuff is their stuff. But house stuff is shared. Convivencia gets you permanent residence after 2 years together (though they often let you do it sooner).
can paperwork be painless?
Relatively painless at least.
Your paperwork is going to be an additional thing you have to handle on top of adjusting to life in a new country. Migrations tips for paperwork.
The tips in this blog post should help. But I have some additional suggestions to help make your paperwork more manageable.
First, I recommend designating a folder your migrations folder. I chose a folder that says “chill out” on it to remind me to relax. Then, put in all the documents that you will need for the current residence procedure in there. Don’t forget those related recipts. And when in doubt, put it in there. Migrations will pick what they want out of it.
Make a note of what you’re lacking for your target visa in or on the folder. I suggest you make this folder before your move. At least as soon as you’re starting your background check. Post-move, you’ll be putting in your translations, legalizations, Argentinian documents, etc.
You will need the original documents at the appointment! With their required apostilles, translations, and legalizations. These documents go in that beautiful folder. But if you don’t have one of the legalizations, don’t fret! You can submit the paperwork later via the migrations website mentioned above.
Make a second folder for vital documents that aren’t related to your residence. You’ll now know exactly where your birth certificate is along with other vital documents you barely remembered before. Make a note of what you lack that you might need in the future. Perhaps a post-it on the folder saying birth certificate needs translation, apostille, etc.
Start your paperwork as soon as possible. In order, you want to do: Pre-Move: 0. Determine the visa you want (and possibly backup) 1. country of origin vital documents and background check. 2. Apostilles for those. Post-Move: 3a. Start the search for the unique document to the visa (work contract, convivencia, etc) 3b. Translations and legalizations for the documents in steps 1 and 2.
If 0, 1 and 2 aren’t done pre-move, figure out your target visa and start on 1 and 3a as soon as possible. Unless you’re hunting for local work after you land (not recommended), by far steps 1 and 2 take the longest. Your residence can be pretty painless and fast if you bring apostilled home-country documents with you. If you don’t, it can take as long as six months without even considering pandemic slow downs or trouble finding that employer or school that will sponsor you.
Hope these tips help you in your residence quest! Good luck!
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