Enrolling for Student Visa? / or sending money for residency?

[mjake]

Hey guys,
I'm from Switzerland and planning to move to Buenos Aires for 1 year (for a start).

I've been researching my options for visas.

Ideally, I'd like to get residency or a working visa. I don't need to work in BA for financial reasons but I'd like to work a little bit for the cultural experience.

-I've been told though that I can only get a working visa if I get the job before I move to BA. I don't see this happening. Is it true?
-I've also heard that it is quite common to work without a working visa esp if it's only a job like working at a bar.
-For residency, I read that you can get it if you get 2000USD each month on your account. I could arrange these transactions. But the guy at the embassy told me I wouldn't get residency.
-As a tourist, being Swiss, I only get 180 days per year I've been told (by the embassy). Initially I would get 90 days and I would have to make visa runs.

I read, I could also pay the fine of 300pesos for overstaying. This is unclear to me: If I overstay my visa by more than half a year will I only have to pay 300pesos with no other negative side effects what so ever?

-I've also been looking into the possibility of enrollig at the UBA to not have to worry about visa runs. I would only take 1 course, like Spanish for beginners, as I don't want to work/study for more than 20%. I've contacted the uni for prices but I haven't heard back. Do any of you know what the prices for a basic Spanish course are (at a school that would qualify me for a student visa), like a few hours a week or maybe just one morning? Does an enrollment in a Spanish course qualify me for a Student Visa?


Thanks for answers and additional suggestions.

My goal is: To be able to stay legally in Argentina for 1 year with as little hassle as possible. If I can get a working visa or even residency, the better. I'm interested in residency as it leaves the possibility for an Argentinian passport open. I'd love to get that!

Thank you!

 

[lela]

ich erchlaer der alles, isch alles noed so es problem, tuenmer skype, hander i minere PM gschribbe! L

 

[steveinbsas]

I don't need to work in BA for financial reasons but I'd like to work a little bit for the cultural experience.

If you don't need to work for financial gains but want to have a genuine cultural experience perhaps you could do some volunteer work.

-I've been told though that I can only get a working visa if I get the job before I move to BA. I don't see this happening. Is it true?

If you find a job (after your arrival) that qualifies for a visa you can apply for it in Argentina.

-I've also heard that it is quite common to work without a working visa esp if it's only a job like working at a bar.

It happens, but not as often as you hope. The tax authority is tough. I met an expat in CF who was working at a hostel, but lost the job rather quickly because she could not get the proper tax ID number (which requires residency).

-For residency, I read that you can get it if you get 2000USD each month on your account. I could arrange these transactions. But the guy at the embassy told me I wouldn't get residency.

The income requirement is actually stated in pesos and it is $8000 per month. It must be passive income from an investment, trust, or annuity, etc.

-As a tourist, being Swiss, I only get 180 days per year I've been told (by the embassy). Initially I would get 90 days and I would have to make visa runs.

The 180 day limit is not being enforced even though there was a decreto last year that empowered immigration agents to do so. It's still possible to go to Uruguay to get a new 90 day visa even after you hit the 180 day mark.

I read, I could also pay the fine of 300pesos for overstaying. This is unclear to me: If I overstay my visa by more than half a year will I only have to pay 300pesos with no other negative side effects what so ever?

If you are here for a year and don't make the visa runs you will only pay $300 pesos. It takes a lot more "abuse" of the tourist visa to cause any problems, including returning to Argentina in the future.

-I've also been looking into the possibility of enrollig at the UBA to not have to worry about visa runs. I would only take 1 course, like Spanish for beginners, as I don't want to work/study for more than 20%. I've contacted the uni for prices but I haven't heard back. Do any of you know what the prices for a basic Spanish course are (at a school that would qualify me for a student visa), like a few hours a week or maybe just one morning? Does an enrollment in a Spanish course qualify me for a Student Visa?

No. You have to be a "full time" student to get a student visa.

My goal is: To be able to stay legally in Argentina for 1 year with as little hassle as possible.

Overstaying a tourist visa is not a crime. If you don't commit any crimes while you are here you shouldn't be hassled at all.

If I can get a working visa or even residency, the better. I'm interested in residency as it leaves the possibility for an Argentinian passport open. I'd love to get that!

You would have to become a citizen of Argentina to get a passport.

 

[Nelieta]

It is one of the most difficult things to get a work permit in Argentina if you don´t have the proper paperwork. It could make your life a nightmare. I have expat friends in Cordoba who have been battling for nearly 2 years to get a CUIL. The authorities make them run a round in circles.

 

[mjake]

wow thanks for the answers guys, esp to you steve.


The $8000 pesos, how can they proof that the money is coming from an investment, trust, annuity, etc? If I just transfer it monthly from my swiss bank account will they have reason to complain?

wow it's unfathomable to me that apparently i can overstay my entrystamp visa (90days) by half a year with a mere fine of only 300pesos. in thailand it's $70 ARS for each and every day you overstay.

@nelieta: yes i've heard about the paperwork. I'll bring everything and i will have it attested with the appostille.

 

[steveinbsas]

wow thanks for the answers guys, esp to you steve.

The $8000 pesos, how can they proof that the money is coming from an investment, trust, annuity, etc? If I just transfer it monthly from my swiss bank account will they have reason to complain?

They will complain.

In order to prove that income is stable (will continue without interruption while you are in Argentina) you will be required to provide supporting documentation such as letters from accountants and bank officers. Ideally, they would be cover letters (with the Apostille) for monthly bank and brokerage statements. You may only need to provide the past few month's statements, but the more information you have the better.

That being said, five years ago I only provided a copy of my irrevocable trust with a cover letter written by the lawyer who set up the trust and a letter from a bank officer that confirmed the monthly deposits. I had bank and brokerage statements but migracioens didn't want to see them. They didn't ask for tax returns, either. They can always ask for something you don't have.

Because of concerns about money laundering, they will also want to know the source of the funds in your account(s).

 

[jez]

I'd like to get residency or a working visa. I don't need to work in BA for financial reasons.

If you get residency etc. you will be liable for taxes on your worldwide income and 'bienes personales' Most people try to avoid this...so if you were to break the law by not declaring money/assets etc. don't worry about overstaying your tourist visa...