clamping down on perma-tourists

[citygirl]

Steve - I would guess it would depend on the law which as of yet, no one has been able to verify even exists. Lee - I'll be curious to know what your lawyer says.

 

[leavingBA]

I find it amazing people would think the law would not cover enforcement of the rules attached to our temporary tourist visas. You are looking for loopholes to abuse until the government closes them. I hope it works out for you. But I would think it more prudent to invest in an immigration lawyer who could help you secure a permanent visa, if you want to live here longer term. I know it's complicated, I have friends who have been trying for years to get the visa sorted out. One of them is even married to an Argentine and he still has problems.

 

[jp]

I spoke to a lawyer last week who was unaware of any changes to the law, or the enforcement of it.

 

[steveinbsas]

Well, since we are all just second guessing and no one really KNOWS what the laws actually state I am going to contact an Argentinian lawyer this week for an hour or 2 of his/her time to get to the bottom of what the actual laws are.

Thank you, Lee. If anyone can get to the bottom of something, I'm sure it's you.

I am a bit surprised that so many are only focused on what the law states or doesn't state regarding this issue...clinging to the hope that there is a "loophole" in the laws that "legally allow" a foreigner who has been in Argentina for 180 days to leave the country and immediately reenter, thereby getting a new "visa transitoria" which is good for an additional 90 days...leading to another prorroga de permanencia (which now will be denied).

Obviously, this practice has been tolerated by migraciones for quite some time, but that doesn't mean it's "legal" or that they don't have the power to stop it. Perhaps they actually have the power to set policy, even when the laws are not specific.

Last May, when new changes in immigration "laws" were announced, there was a suspension of the granting of permanent residency to those with the visa rentista on the third renewal. As 2guysinPM posted, the new "law" was not specific about the change. In August migraciones resumed granting permanent residency to those who received their temporary visas prior to the new (so called) laws.

Several member have posted that the individual immigration officials at the border don't have the power to deny a new visa transitoria to someone who has departed and immediately reentered Argentina. That is probably true, unless they have been told not to...as a matter of policy...which migraciones may indeed have the power to create...and enforce.

 

[blackburn]

Well the laws here are interpretated in diferent ways by diferent departments and change pretty often.I speak from experience as last January(09) I was told by migracione that I could apply for a "residencia permanente" as I had been here three years on a one year temperary "rentista visa" but a couple of months later they said the law had been changed and I didn't qualify,nothing new there then I thought.Last week I went to migraciones and they said they would issue me with a monthly visa as there was some problems...who knows!!!Anyway I was told to leave and come back in a couple of hours and after a fifteen mins wait they said sign this paper and then gave me a "residencia permanente" documant and I didn't have to pay anything.TIA as someone said this is Argentina.....so don't take it personal it happens to lot's of people.I had to apply for my rentista visa in UK,my country of origin,before I came to live here.I don't know if you can do it from here.This bloke is a immigration lawyer I have spoken with in [email protected] suerte Dani

 

[steveinbsas]

The granting of permanent residency to those who previously held temporary residency (visa rentista) for three years is a very different issue from "renewing" a visa transitoria by leaving and reentering Argentina the same day (or week). One must still (legally) qualify for both temporary or permanent residency to receive them, and, in the future, permanent status will not be granted to those who received the visa rentista after the recent changes in the "law."

 

[tangobob]

TIA came from the film Blood Diamond "This is Africa" I just paraphrased it. Off topic again, I know.

So I would be very surprised if they stopped this practice of going to Uruguay, last time I went most of the people on The Buquibus were renewing their visas. It has become not only a source of income for both countries, but also an employer for many.
In every walk of life here you get over zelous officials and as Blackburn said, the laws are interpreted in different ways.
Those who do not know the law, make it up. In my experience (ok limited)
that covers just about everyone here.

 

[dennisr]

Am beginning to think this is a reciprocity visa thing. Becoming very similar to the limits of a Tourist Visa for the USA.

 

[steveinbsas]

People (and governments) who are pissed off at others do not often act rationally, do they?

I agree (intuitively) that this is primarily aimed at Yankis.