Advice on Re-Entry from Uruguay Under New Immigration Rules (waiting on Marriage + Residency)

[willdbrady]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice from others who may be in a similar situation, especially since the new immigration rules took effect.

I originally entered Argentina on May 28th, and my current tourist stay expires August 28th. Like many others, I’ve been doing the usual Colonia Express run to renew my stay. I first arrived on December 6th from the US to spend time with my long-distance partner of 3 years, to see how things would work living together. Since then, I’ve renewed my tourist status twice: once via Colonia Express, and once with a short trip back to the US to visit family.

We’re now working quickly to get married and apply for temporary residency (with the eventual goal of permanent residency and citizenship), but we’ve run into a holdup: I’m still waiting on my FBI background check, which we need to start residency paperwork, and the marriage paperwork is also taking time waiting on appointments. The FBI background check is taking longer than expected and may not arrive until the first week of September-- after my current tourist stay ends.

To stay in compliance, I’ve already scheduled a 24+ hour trip to Uruguay on August 4, returning on the 5th via Colonia Express. I have global health insurance through Cigna, and I’m preparing to show proof of our relationship, my intent to marry, and evidence that I’m not trying to work illegally or exploit the system. I also work remotely, and all my belongings (and dog!) are here with my partner.

My concern is: given the new immigration policies, is there a real risk I could be denied re-entry when coming back from Uruguay? Has anyone successfully done a border run recently in similar circumstances?

I’m trying to do everything right and stay within the legal framework, but the timing of this paperwork is rough, and I haven't had much luck finding the right information on any official websites. Any insights, stories, or advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from those who have crossed post-Decree 366/2025 or are pursuing residency through marriage.

Thanks so much!
-Will

 

[steveinbsas]

This was posted on Monday:

https://baexpats.org/threads/permanent-residency-with-unión-civil-convivencial-–-updates.49155/

FYI:

You recieved a new tourist visa each time you reentered the country on a visa run.

The original tourist visa is not renewable. It can be extrnded once during a one year period at the office of migraciones.

Visa runs do not keep you "legit" with migraciones and there is now a greater possiblity than ever that you could be denied reentry, especially if you are questioned at the border and tell the truth:

https://baexpats.org/threads/got-deported.48786/

 

[Che1990]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice from others who may be in a similar situation, especially since the new immigration rules took effect.

I originally entered Argentina on May 28th, and my current tourist stay expires August 28th. Like many others, I’ve been doing the usual Colonia Express run to renew my stay. I first arrived on December 6th from the US to spend time with my long-distance partner of 3 years, to see how things would work living together. Since then, I’ve renewed my tourist status twice: once via Colonia Express, and once with a short trip back to the US to visit family.

We’re now working quickly to get married and apply for temporary residency (with the eventual goal of permanent residency and citizenship), but we’ve run into a holdup: I’m still waiting on my FBI background check, which we need to start residency paperwork, and the marriage paperwork is also taking time waiting on appointments. The FBI background check is taking longer than expected and may not arrive until the first week of September-- after my current tourist stay ends.

To stay in compliance, I’ve already scheduled a 24+ hour trip to Uruguay on August 4, returning on the 5th via Colonia Express. I have global health insurance through Cigna, and I’m preparing to show proof of our relationship, my intent to marry, and evidence that I’m not trying to work illegally or exploit the system. I also work remotely, and all my belongings (and dog!) are here with my partner.

My concern is: given the new immigration policies, is there a real risk I could be denied re-entry when coming back from Uruguay? Has anyone successfully done a border run recently in similar circumstances?

I’m trying to do everything right and stay within the legal framework, but the timing of this paperwork is rough, and I haven't had much luck finding the right information on any official websites. Any insights, stories, or advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from those who have crossed post-Decree 366/2025 or are pursuing residency through marriage.

I'd say best to stay in Argentina, when you have the paperwork you just "regularize" your migration status. You may actually cause yourelf more harm by crossing the border and coming back as that way you could be seen to be abusing the system. I guess as long as you have a date booked for the wedding that should be fine.

I had a similar experience in 2020 when my temporary residency expired and the borders were closed due to the pandemic. I just had to wait it out until documents came. I also get permanent residence through marriage.

Also, this immigration law, unfortunately, is largely racist and targets Bolivians and Paraguayans who cross the border overland where there are no controls. They really won't care about an American citizen who is getting married to an Argentine.

And congratulations on your marriage!