Best way to stay in Argentina?

[AlexanderB]

So, I know this is a can of worms, but I'm looking for some advice on the best way to "permatourist", since I presume that is the only method by which I can stay in Argentina for a period of at least one to several years. I've read many prior threads here on this issue, but can't seem to find any consensus on a few key issues, and could really use some perspectives.

I suppose this question is really about enforcement and enforceability, more than anything else.

I'm one of those self-employed individuals who earns income through a US-based entity, so, as far as I know, I do not fall into any of the admissible legal residence categories.

I'm not:

- Prospectively employed by an Argentine concern that can sponsor a work residency visa for me.
- A retiree or the recipient of an irrevocable trust.
- Married to an Argentine.
- Ancestrally or natively Argentine.
- Student.
- Academic, scientist or distinguished specialist of national significance.
- Athlete.or artist.
- Asylum-seekers, refugee, or migrant worker.
- Investor.
- etc.

As far as I know, that pretty much leaves being a "permatourist" as an option. Am I wrong? As far as I know, I do not qualify for any kind of residency in Argentina. Unless I'm wrong, I'm going to start with that premise.

There seem to be two predominant schools of thought:

1. The "go to Colonia every ~90 days" school.

2. The "don't go to Colonia, just overstay your tourist visa for as long as you like, whenever you like, and pay the 300 pesos every time you want to leave" school.

There seems to be broad agreement that one should not go to Migraciones for the additional 3-month extension under any circumstances, because, well, Migraciones sucks.

The argument of the #1 crowd is that while the practice of constantly renewing your visa this way is not technically legal, it does provide you with a valid tourist visa at all times, should you encounter any legal problems or be detained. In principle, that seems important.

The thrust of the #2 camp is: (1) Since the law provides that a tourist can stay a maximum of 6 months out of the year, a year's worth of 90-day renewal stamps is functionally no less illicit. (2) If there were a clamp-down on permatourist practices, the Colonia renewal route (and similar) would be a good way to do that. One could, in theory, find onesself stuck in Uruguay, though there seems to be no precedent for that. (3) AR$300 is a small price to pay, and one can come back the next day--departing on an expired tourist visa does not bar one from receiving another tourist stamp, as soon as the next day. (4) To that point, there are no criminal, only civil penalties for visa violations at this time.

#2's claims seem sound, provided they are factually correct, but don't instinctively sit well with me. What if I were detained by police and found to be on a long-expired visa? It makes me quite uneasy to actually live on an expired visa, just in principle. What if there were significant legislative changes to crack down on permatourists and illegal immigrants? Wouldn't that affect people with expired tourist visas more than anyone else? I am particularly concerned that (3) could change at any time. It seems like a non-expired visa, albeit one procured via a dubious route, might be more palatable.

On the other hand, I know of people that have lived in Argentina for upwards of a decade via either the #1 or #2 approach, seemingly without any real repercussions.

I understand that after a period of some years, variously described as either two years or five, I can petition for citizenship, and that the process of doing so is judicial in nature and thus entirely parallel to the nature of one's continued residence from an immigration perspective. However, I think that's a little premature at this point. I'm just trying to figure out how I can stay for a few years.

Please advise?

 

[AlexanderB]

Also, it seems that this is at least somewhat relevant:

http://baexpats.org/expat-life/10781-changes-permatourists.html

 

[Davidglen77]

There is no such thing as an illegal immigrant in Argentina. You are considered to have "irregular" immigration status, which is simply that - you have irregular immigration status. This is NOT illegal, there is no such thing as immigration jail here. Don't bother with the Colonia thing to renew your visa, it's a waste of time and money, unless of course you like going to Colonia. Nobody is going to ever bother you about immigration status here. Just don't get into any trouble with the law and stay as long as you like, and if you still want to be here in a year and a half start your citizenship papers with BajoCero so you can eventually get a DNI. Relax and enjoy the ride, it can get pretty bumpy here at times.

 

[AlexanderB]

Nobody is going to ever bother you about immigration status here. Just don't get into any trouble with the law and stay as long as you like, and if you still want to be here in a year and a half start your citizenship papers with BajoCero so you can eventually get a DNI. Relax and enjoy the ride, it can get pretty bumpy here at times.

Thanks! It's refreshing to hear that at least one person is optimistic about such a venture, given the criticism that I see of the "permatourist" approach here, as well as periodic rumours of crackdowns on those practicing it.

I do understand that being on an "irregular" immigration status doesn't automatically place one into a persecuted criminal underclass, as it does in the US.

Unfortunately, not getting into any trouble with the law isn't always a matter of one's own volition. There are a variety of ways one can end up in the police station, particularly in quasi-Napoleonic legal systems, without having willfully intended to commit a crime. A car accident is one. Self-defense if you are attacked, which can result in the detention or arrest of all involved, is another. Any sort of official interactions, really. So, if I've got a status that would get me into trouble the moment I come into contact with a policeman who wants to see my passport, that's more than I'd prefer to live with.

I don't want to break any rules, but there does not seem to be a residency type that could conceivably apply to me. There's no residency for people who just want to come and spend money. Of course, I suppose that's no different than most countries in the world, particularly First World, so in relative terms it's nothing to complain about.

 

[solerboy]

Your list includes Married to an Argentine, in fact you can marry anyone who is already a permenant resident, not just an Argentine.

 

[YanquiGallego]

I agree with the poster who said not to do a thing. Don't get into any trouble with the law thst would make the authorities have to question your status in the country and will be fine. No one will bother you. Moreover, the overstay fine at ezeiza is a VERY lucrative business for them so it has been my experience thst they actually enjoy people overstaying.

 

[El chabon]

If you spend 181 days of à calender year in Argentina you are 'illegal'

I Would say do Colonia and Igazu(do Paraguay if you are an American citizen and dont want to get the Brazilian visa) afterwards do either mendoza/border, south/border, entre rios/border or do something like a weekend rio/sao Paulo/montevideo/Santiago/Asucion/Bolivia/Peru

That takes you already à year or so and in general not so expensive and fun to do

 

[Davidglen77]

Unfortunately, not getting into any trouble with the law isn't always a matter of one's own volition. There are a variety of ways one can end up in the police station, particularly in quasi-Napoleonic legal systems, without having willfully intended to commit a crime. A car accident is one. Self-defense if you are attacked, which can result in the detention or arrest of all involved, is another. Any sort of official interactions, really. So, if I've got a status that would get me into trouble the moment I come into contact with a policeman who wants to see my passport, that's more than I'd prefer to live with.

This is funny, but I understand where you are coming from. NO policeman here is EVER going to ask for your passport! For that matter the times I have had contact with the police, there comments were "de donde sos" my response: "estados unidos", police: "que hacés viviendo acá?", my response: "trabajo acá, estoy en pareja", police: "pero, viniste a vivir acá de los Estados Unidos?" my response: "sí, vivo acá" police: "estás loco? te gusta vivir acá?" my response: "bueno, tiene sus cosas pero estoy bien" police: "seguí mi consejo, andáte a tu país, Argentina es un quilombo" my response "gracias oficial"
The last thing the police are interested in here is your immigration status, and if you go to a hospital, they will be really interested as to what the hec you are doing here, nobody here even knows where immigration is, how to get there, what the requirements are, etc. Nothing is gonna happen to you for staying unless of course you murder someone, I advise against that, and then still you would probably not be sent home!

 

[davonz]

You could apply for a rentista visa, the only requirement is that you have to get x amount of income (and prove it with bank statement or some other means) from outside argentina... I think it is now US$2000 per month as they increased it last july.

 

[AlexanderB]

You could apply for a rentista visa, the only requirement is that you have to get x amount of income (and prove it with bank statement or some other means) from outside argentina... I think it is now US$2000 per month as they increased it last july.

Yes, but it must be passive income, such as from an annuity, CD, trust, pension, etc. I do not have those things. I just have working income from my self-employment.