what if we take 1k in USD (or part of it) to open a USD account. if we then transfer 5k into it later on, can we withdraw usd directly?
You would first have to open up a bank account. You will only be able to open a caja de ahorro (savings account). To do that, you need a DNI (possibly permanent residency - I don't know that you can with a temporary residency, but maybe so). Then you need to wait to build up enough credit to be able to get an actual checking account. Then, after you've done all that (it took my wife nearly two years to get to that point) you are probably going to have issues with AFIP related to opening the account in dollars and/or depositing dollars into the account. Then, after all that is done, you will need to get through a ton of paperwork in order to enable your account to receive money from the outside.
Not trying to be a smart-ass, but that's the real story. The short version: can't do it.
have they recently opened up to non-americans?
Don't think so.
Your best bets to get money into the country:
1. Bring it in yourself or have someone who's coming down bring it in for you.
2. Go to Uruguay (or Paraguay even, but Uruguay's cheaper and quicker!) and pull dollars directly out of the ATMs. There was another thread for this where the process and the limits are pretty well stated.
3. Be here long enough to know someone who knows a cueva (not an arbolito), get introduced, and wire as much money as you want to. You can pick it up in dollars, or get pesos at just a few points off the blue rate, either way.
I (along with other expats who do this) was recently chastised for using option #3. It is somewhat illegal. I say somewhat because technically it is illegal, but I don't think it's going to be a big issue if one is caught. However, you have to be prepared to face the consequences and it could also impact you with AFIP when they catch up with after you are caught. However, I've been doing this for nearly six years and have never had a problem, and I know others who do this too.
The problem is the "cuevista" himself could get into some serious trouble. Mine made me swear I would never tell anyone who he is, ask him first before referring anyone I know, and that anyone I know be known to me, not just a recent acquaintance. It not easy these days to get introduced into a cueva, unfortunately.
FYI - the way cuevas work is they have businesses and accounts in other countries (often the US and Uruguay) and the person wishing to make the transfer wires money to one of those banks outside the country. The cueva here sees the money hit the account, you go to his office and he gives you money that he has in Argentina. Money never actually crosses the border. Until very recently, this has been a gray area of the law, but I have been told that Cristina has managed to make it illegal. As far as I know, no one has been caught, and it would be difficult to prove anyway, and I'm not even sure if, even as corrupt as the courts are here, it would result in a conviction if the person had a good lawyer.
BTW - sending money back to Canada would be accomplished via the same means. A bit more costly, but well worth it.
I'd bring down as much cash as you possibly can. Declare it even, if it's over 10K. Make sure you have a ride waiting for you (make arrangements with a remis service ahead of time, to be waiting for you when you exit) and don't tell anyone except the authorities you declare it to that you have the cash. You should be fine.
Welcome to getting along in Argentina
