Argentina Student Visa – Requirements, Process, Fees

Students who are planning to study in Argentina will most likely require a Argentina Student Visa. The process and duration vary depending on the nationality.

Argentina is popular among students who want to learn Spanish, Tango, or a specialization program. Students can immerse themselves in Latin American culture by attending lively bars or sampling delicious Argentine beef in fine restaurants during their course of study. 

Approximately, over 90,000 international students come to study in Argentina every year and out of this around 30,000 of these students are from Europe, the USA, and Asia. This is because the courses here are of high quality and extremely affordable.

In this blog, we have covered all the details that students require during their Argentina study visa application process. 

Key Takeaways:

• Argentina is a popular option among students who want to pursue higher studies since it has great career options and is affordable.
• Argentina student visa requires documents such as a passport, the latest photographs, application form among many others.
• Argentina permits people of most nationalities to enter the country without a visa. However, people studying courses that are for more than 90 days will have to apply for a student visa. 
• The applicant is initially required to go via a tourist visa. Once they have entered the country, they can convert it to a student visa.
• It takes about three to five weeks to attain an Argentina student visa. 

What are the types of Argentina visas?

The Argentina visas are divided into short-term visas and long-term visas.

1. Short-term visa or Argentina tourist visa:

For visitors who intend to stay in Argentina for a brief period, a tourist visa is granted. It falls into the following subcategories and is valid for a maximum of three months:

• Foreign nationals arriving in Argentina for tourism or other leisure activities are granted an Argentina tourist visa.
• Those from other countries who require a work-related visa to enter Argentina are granted an Argentina Business Visa.
• Foreign nationals requiring entry into Argentina to obtain medical care in an Argentine medical facility are granted an Argentina Medical Treatment Visa.
• Media professionals who are visiting Argentina for business are granted an Argentina Media/Journalist Visa.
• Foreign nationals traveling on an official religious order’s behalf in Argentina are eligible for an Argentina Religious Visa.

2. Long-term visa or Argentina residency visa:

As the name implies, foreign nationals wishing to establish permanent residence in Argentina are granted long-term (Residence) visas. Argentina’s most popular categories of residency visas are:

• Foreign nationals who have secured employment in Argentina and a work permit are granted an Argentina Work Visa. Your work permit is organized by your company.
• Foreign nationals wishing to continue their education in an Argentinean educational institution are granted an Argentina Student Visa.
• Foreign nationals wishing to join a close relative who is an Argentine citizen or permanent resident are granted an Argentina Family Visa.
• Foreigners who invest a significant sum of money of about 1.5 million Argentine Pesos in an activity, commerce, or service in Argentina are granted an Argentina Investment Visa.
• Foreign nationals who choose to retire to Argentina and can support themselves financially without the need to work are granted an Argentina Retirement Visa. They must get at least 30,000 Argentine Pesos per month in pension income.
• Launched on May 21, 2022, the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa is intended for remote workers in Argentina. It enables remote workers to work for both foreign and Argentinean businesses.

Requirements of Argentina student visa:

Every application is personal and applicants are required to submit the following documents along with a copy at the Consular office:

1. Passport valid for at least six months at the time of entering Argentina with at least two blank pages.
2. Two latest 4 x 4 cm photographs, facing the camera, printed in color on a white background. 
3. A visa application form filled out correctly in electronic format and signed by the applicant. 
4. Find a program of study.
5. Applicants are expected to fill in the student data electronically by the educational institution in the National Directorate of Migration. 
6. The educational institution needs to have an inscription number and be properly registered with the National Registry of Petitioners on behalf of Foreign Applicants of Argentina (RENURE). 
7. Evidence of having enough money to pay for the study and stay like copies of credit card or bank account statements, among other documents, may be requested by consular officials.
8. An apostilled or legalized certificate of good conduct issued by the competent authority of the countries where the traveler resided for more than one year during the preceding three years is required for travelers 16 years of age or older who are traveling for a duration longer than six months.
9. For travelers sixteen years of age or older who will be gone more than six months, an affidavit attesting to their lack of criminal record in other nations or a pledge, to tell the truth must be signed in front of the consul.
10. consulate fee payment: 150 USD or 150 EUR, based on the consulate office where the application is submitted. The payment of the fee must be made in the representation’s local currency.
11. If the student is underage, both parents’ consent must be obtained before applying for a visa, along with the identity of the responsible tutor in Argentina.

Who can apply for a student visa?

Without a visa, people from most nations can visit Argentina for up to 90 days. Visit the immigration portal of the government at http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/?visas to find out if you need a visa to enter Argentina.

A student visa is required for all foreign students enrolled in graduate programs in Argentina that run longer than ninety days. Every student entering the nation needs to have a passport that will remain valid for at least six months after their last day of classes.

When should students apply for an Argentina student visa?

It is highly recommended that those who apply in their home country for an Argentinian student visa do so at least 30 days before their intended departure.

A typical student visa is good for six months, but if your course is longer, you can apply for a longer-term one that can last up to a year, provided you agree to have your home country’s criminal records checked. 

The specific requirements differ based on one’s nationality, thus it’s vital to inquire further with the embassy of your nation.

What is the student visa process for Argentina?

The process of applying for an Argentina student visa is quite simple. However, the applicants should follow a process systematically. The step-by-step process is:

1. Start with applying for a tourist visa in Argentina. For this process, the host university will have to assist since they get approval directly from “Direccion Nacional de Migraciones”. It should be kept in mind that this visa is valid for 90 days at most. This visa is used just to enter the country. 
2. Once you have entered Argentina, you must convert your tourist visa to a student visa. 
3. In case your study program is for a duration that is longer than 6 months, applicants will have to obtain a police certificate for a criminal background check.
4. Next, schedule an appointment at the immigration office in Argentina which is located at Antartida Argentina 1355 in Retiro.
5. After all your documents are approved, an immigration officer will issue the applicant a preliminary residence certificate.
6. After studying in Argentina for 6 months, students will have to re-apply for a student visa. 
7. If the duration of the study program is more than a year, the student will have to exit the country before the expiration of the current student visa. Before this, students have to return to their country and re-apply for a new student visa using the same procedures mentioned above. 

Upon arrival in Argentina, you will have to apply for a local police record in Argentina, make an appointment to go to Immigration and apply for a student visa during the first 30 days. 

Your host coordinator may arrange the appointment for you ahead of time. You must keep the appointment and arrive on time. You may also have to translate some documents into Spanish.

To obtain your student visa in Argentina you will need the following:

• A valid passport with an Argentina tourist visa stamp
• A letter of proof of enrollment from a university. This will provided by the university upon arrival.
• A police certificate that proves you have no criminal record. You can get this in the country with the help of ISA staff.
• Payment of AR900 in cash for the student visa processing process.

Before leaving for Argentina, students planning to study there for a duration longer than six months are required to obtain a police record or certificate of good behavior. 

Once you’re in Argentina, you’ll need to have the document translated by a qualified translator.

Depending on your country of origin, academic institution, and anticipated duration of stay, you might additionally need to provide additional documentation, like:

• Certified copies of birth certificate
• Proof of funds to cover your expenses in Argentina
• Evidence of sufficient knowledge of Spanish

Where can you apply for an Argentina student visa?

Upon arrival in Argentina, students typically visit the country as tourists before converting to a student visa. On the day of the visa interview, all applications and supporting documentation must be submitted in person.

Applying through an Argentinean consulate in your own country may also be an option.

Visa for exchange students in Argentina:

An exchange student is a person who studies in Argentina for one or more semesters. You will continue to be enrolled at your home university while you are gone. Most of the time, there is an agreement between the university where you are completing your courses in Argentina and your home university.

The majority of the documentation required for the immigration office will be provided by your host university in Argentina if you are an exchange student.

The agreements that were made between your home university and your host university are typically included in this paperwork. Additionally, it can contain particular paperwork about your intended duration of exchange to Argentina.

Your host university ought to have all the paperwork ready for you when you get there.

How long does it take to get an Argentina student visa?

International students can apply for a visa at the Consulate General or directly at the Direccion Nacional de Migraciones or Migration Office in Argentina if they want to study and live there for over ninety-nine days.

Different nations have different processing times for their student visas. A student visa in Croatia takes around 15 days but at the same time, German student visa can take up to 25 days or more. 

The applicant’s educational institution in Argentina must apply to Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (DNM) for entry permission (PIM). Applications must be filed at the Argentine Republic Consular Office listed in the entry permission when DNM issues the PIM. Applications for visas will not be handled if the necessary entrance permit is not obtained.

After the day of application, the processing period for a student visa may last three to five weeks.

What is the duration of the Argentina student visa?

A three-month visa to Argentina allows for numerous entrances into the nation. You are permitted a maximum of ninety days in the nation.

If you intend to stay longer than ninety days for employment or study, you must obtain a residence permit as soon as you arrive.

What are the documents required to extend your student visa in Argentina?

Normally, a student’s visa to Argentina is valid for a year. You will need to renew your student visa every year, even if your program of study is for two or more years.

Fortunately, extending a visa is even easier than applying for one for the first time. The documents required for extending your student visa are:

• A valid passport and Argentine ID card
• A certificate from the university which states that you are a regular student there and legalized by the Argentine Ministry of Education.
• A grade transcript of the classes you passed.
• In case you are doing your master’s or Ph.D., you will need to submit a letter from the university legalized by the Argentine Ministry of Education.
• Your Argentine criminal record

How to apply for an extension of my student visa in Argentina?

The procedure for requesting a student visa extension is much the same as it is for the first application:

• Use Radex, the migration office’s online application system, to get started.
• Upload the requested and necessary data to the Radex system.
• Pay the migration fee.
• An email confirming your appointment at your nearest migration office will be sent to you.
• On the scheduled date, bring the original copies of all of your papers to the migration office.
• At the immigration office, stand in queue. Submit your paperwork. Go home and wait till the extension is approved.

What are the Argentina visa fees?

There is a charge for an Argentina visa that must be paid before you can submit your application. The cost of obtaining a visa for Argentina may vary based on the kind of visa you want and the consulate that processes your application. Nonetheless, you should anticipate having to pay the following:

• Argentina Visa Fee: €150 – €200
• Argentina Transit Visa Fee: €40

In addition, although they did not need to apply for a visa, nationals of the US, Australia, and Canada had to pay a Reciprocity Fee to enter Argentina. Currently, meanwhile, nationals of the United States and Australia are exempt from paying this fee at least temporarily.

What should I do if my Argentina student visa is denied?

You can reapply if your initial application for a student visa was denied. A lot of students who first had their visa applications rejected are eventually given a student visa on their second attempt. You have to figure out what went wrong and fix it if it was the rejection.

You can question the visa officer during your interview if you were denied. You will receive a document explaining your rejection if you were not required to attend an interview. Try to find a solution after that, then reapply for your student visa.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion:

For visits of up to ninety days, US citizens are not required to get an Argentina visa. All you need for travel, as a US citizen, is your passport and a return ticket. The passport needs to have two blank pages for the entry and exit stamps and be valid for a minimum of six more months. A three-month visa to Argentina allows for numerous entrances into the nation. You are permitted a maximum of ninety days in the nation. Upon arrival, you must obtain a residence permit if you want to stay for more than 90 days for long-term reasons like work or study.