Opening a bank account without DNI for Pensioner's Visa

[AAMike]

Good Afternoon, new to the forum.

I am working on obtaining a Pensioner's Visa. I have just obtained approval ( waited almost 1 1/2 months) from Santander Bank for an account. Just working thru the steps, now dealing with the app and getting an ATM card. Tried over the weekend to apply and seems the system was down, or was it me??? When you start the app process, it asks for a DNI which I don't have, I have a CDI number, and /or a passport.... any suggestions on what to enter as a number? Any suggestions with the process? It has been a slow, slow, process.

I do have lawyers, and they have been helpful. They do understand the slowness of the government and they help with the anxiety and the ever changing requirements. They are my buffer between the Immigration office and myself, even the Immigration office misses the changes and they have to be alerted.

My timelines need to be extended, just so long with the bank getting completed, then I have to wire funds to the account, another drawn out process. So the lawyers are dealing with that.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Grasshopper]

AAMike,

Last summer, I opened a bank account at Santander, at the branch at Av. Sta. Fe 2201. I stared the process online too, to verify my passport and Precaria. I was also required to obtain a CUIL, which I obtained at ANSES. With my passport, Precaria, and CUIL, and an Argentina phone number, I was able to open the account without first having my DNI.

For the Pensionado visa (which I applied for, too), I did have to set up a direct deposit of my Social Security into Santander as part of the requirement for the Pensionado visa. That was a little complicated for me, but I managed. My experience with Santander has been complicated, in the sense I've received conflicting information from different people about requirements and process.

I do remember being asked by Santander to send a message to [email protected], notifying them of the Social Security pension payment, and attach copy of Social Security statement showing payment. Santander said that once they receive the funds, Santander will register a PAYMENT ORDER in my favor, followed by an email notice with all its details. When you upload the request to credit the payment order to your account, you have to choose the “concept” or reason why you receive these funds. The banker told me to use the code use Codigo de concepto to be I08. Cobros del exterior > CONCEPTO: I08-OTRAS TRANSFERENCIAS CORRIENTES. The first two deposits required me to manually enter the code and upload my Social Security and Precaria, but after than, the payments register into my account automatically and I don't need to do anything.

I also had to change my address with Social Security to my address in Buenos Aires - the U.S. Embassy helped me with this (https://ar.usembassy.gov/social-security/). For Santander, the bank had to sign part of a SSA form 1199, and then I has it submit the signed form, and a SSA Forms 7162 to the Embassy's Federal Benefits Unit at [email protected].

Personally, I didn't use an attorney for any parts of the immigration and banking process, so my experience may be different than yours. I think you're on the right track.

Rick

 

[AAMike]

AAMike,

Last summer, I opened a bank account at Santander, at the branch at Av. Sta. Fe 2201. I stared the process online too, to verify my passport and Precaria. I was also required to obtain a CUIL, which I obtained at ANSES. With my passport, Precaria, and CUIL, and an Argentina phone number, I was able to open the account without first having my DNI.

For the Pensionado visa (which I applied for, too), I did have to set up a direct deposit of my Social Security into Santander as part of the requirement for the Pensionado visa. That was a little complicated for me, but I managed. My experience with Santander has been complicated, in the sense I've received conflicting information from different people about requirements and process.

I do remember being asked by Santander to send a message to [email protected], notifying them of the Social Security pension payment, and attach copy of Social Security statement showing payment. Santander said that once they receive the funds, Santander will register a PAYMENT ORDER in my favor, followed by an email notice with all its details. When you upload the request to credit the payment order to your account, you have to choose the “concept” or reason why you receive these funds. The banker told me to use the code use Codigo de concepto to be I08. Cobros del exterior > CONCEPTO: I08-OTRAS TRANSFERENCIAS CORRIENTES. The first two deposits required me to manually enter the code and upload my Social Security and Precaria, but after than, the payments register into my account automatically and I don't need to do anything.

I also had to change my address with Social Security to my address in Buenos Aires - the U.S. Embassy helped me with this (https://ar.usembassy.gov/social-security/). For Santander, the bank had to sign part of a SSA form 1199, and then I has it submit the signed form, and a SSA Forms 7162 to the Embassy's Federal Benefits Unit at [email protected].

Personally, I didn't use an attorney for any parts of the immigration and banking process, so my experience may be different than yours. I think you're on the right track.

Rick

Thank You for your experience and knowledge. Just got an e mail back from the bank lady today and explained like you said, about the wire transfer. This month I had pesos deposited. Also in your note you stated the Argentine Cellphone. I still have my US cellphone. I guess that is my next purchase. I am still straddling still between Florida and BA. Just retired last July, so trying to get my new steps in life figured out. I appreciate all the information. Seems like you went thru it all, I am in about the middle of the whole ordeal.
Right now my next battle is the retirement income, I am not on SSI yet, waiting for 66yr 10 months to collect. I have an annuity and with that the paperwork it has no signature or seal. Just a typed generic department signature from the administrator. That is the primary reason for the attorneys, I figure let them handle it. No US apostille for that paperwork.
The attorneys think they can make it happen so letting them go for it.
I thought about the overstay and pay the tax which everyone seems is the better way to go and cheaper way, But when I do want the Visa it is a tarnish on my record. My partner still has her elderly family in BA and there will be a day that I will need to stay longer then 90 days and don't want to keep looking behind my back.
I again appreciate the info and seems to be spot on as time goes by with my application and process.
Thank you,
Will keep you updated.
Mike