I am certainly not an expert on the different types of visas and only know what I've learned from my own experience. Two years ago I was told by an Argentine lawyer that I would not be able to obtain the visa rentista based on money in the bank or mutual funds, regardless of the amount or value. This may have been true, but there is also the possibility that he did not know what he was talking about. As other members have posted here, if you ask several different "professionals" here the same question, you are likely to get several different answers. If the regulations change as often as Attorney indicates, how could anyone stay completely informed for very long?
When I began asking questions about residency visas on this forum I was told that ALL visas must be applied for outside Argentina, but I applied for and obtained the visa here. I got the impression from MrBart's post that he would have rental income from the one apartment in which he is currently living. It seems counter intuitive that he could just show up at migraciones with a recently executed lease for one apartment and be granted a visa to live here. Perhaps Attorney could elaborate just a bit more on the subject, as MrBart may now have the impression this is possible. It could be an unfortunate assumption if he proceeds accordingly and is denied a resident visa after his arrival. I hope it all works out as MrBart desires and that he likes BA once he's here.
Attorney's comments about RENAPER (registro de las personas) and the 12 month delay in receiving the DNI are an excellent example of how "things change" here. When I first went there to ask about the DNI in September 2006, I did not yet have my resident visa (its a prerequisite), but they were then giving appointments in about three weeks. After receiving the visa in October, I returned to 25 de Mayo 145 (to make a new appointment) and they were processing DNI applications the same day! I was directed downstairs and it was all done in less than 2 hours. I was told to return in 90 days to pick up the DNI, which was waiting for me when I returned.
Things CAN go smoothly at migraciones, too. When I presented my "file" two years ago (a "short stack" of documents which were exactly the same as are enumerated on the migraciones website today), the inspector spent less than ten minutes reviewing them, took them to another station, returned and asked if I had ATM receipts for the previous three months showing I had made withdrawals of 2000 pesos per month (well below the "minimum" stated on the website). I did not have them with me but I had saved them. I was able to return from my apartment within an hour, not wait again in line, and then I was "done". I was told to return in three weeks to obtain the residency paper. When I did, I saw that it had actually been processed in four days. I was never asked for any tax returns or bank statements. I did have a letter from a bank officer verifying that qualifying monthly income checks (from a trust or annuity) were being deposited into my account and that I could access these funds at ATMs in Argentina, hence the request for those receipts.
