Rensitsa Visa transfers... Western Union no bueno?

[USAtoBA]

Hi all,

In the process still for rentista. I sent recent bank statements and my lawyer told me at this time not to do them via western Union debit card, and to do direct bank to bank transfers.

Did anyone else run into this problem?

Thanks as always to anyone who replies.

 

[steveinbsas]

So far, I believe that everyone who has posted about this has indicated that migraciones only accepts bank to bank "wire" transfers, and that Western Union transfers using a debit card from the US bank isn't...

...and even using Western Union to transfer funds directly from the US bank account to the Argentine bank account is also a no-go, so, it looks like your lawyer's instructions are spot on.

 

[Ries]

Yes, its true that migraciones wants to see actual bank statements from an argentine bank, showing deposits.
But you can use Western Union to transfer to your bank account. You can actually do online WU transfers from a US bank account to an argentine one, they will accept that.
We have done that for years of pensionista visas. But we also had a lawyer running interference, and the lawyers usually know the individual migraciones people, the procedures, and how to get past the automatic "no".

 

[USAtoBA]

Sorry I should have been more clear, I was transferring the money from western union (Schwab debít) to my Galicia account here.

 

[Paige55]

I was told that they want to see SWIFT transfers, which I believe are bank to bank and wouldn't cover Western Union transfers of any nature. I would heed the lawyers advice if you can. It would be awful to be compliant but get dinged because you used Western Union. Your lawyer may be able to argue in your favor if you continue on with Western Union but with the gray area that is immigration at this very moment, I'd want to do what my lawyer knows is working and avoid anything that could complicate my case.

 

[carride]

The nice thing about SWIFT bank transfers is you can send US dollars to your Argentina dollar account. Then only when you need to spend or invest here you convert some to pesos, or withdrawal USD cash.

 

[pacientecero]

I've used both western union and wise and haven't had an issue. I literally sent the latest batch of statements to my lawyer an hour ago to apply for permanent residency this time and the paralegal has already reviewed them and didn't say anything about those transfers. Maybe your lawyer is playing it extra safe or doesn't have the same rapport with migraciones.

 

[AleksKarl]

A note for anyone reading this later. For rentista paperwork what tends to matter is the paper trail: statements showing the deposits that come from abroad, and as carride said, a bank-to-bank SWIFT transfer is the cleaner route. Western Union may be fine for the cash side, but keep every receipt and ask your lawyer which proof migraciones wants in your case. If you convert dollars to pesos afterwards, houses differ: on 10 Nov 2026 (about 9:00) cash USD were quoted at 1,515 to 1,555 pesos, so ask for the exact amount and compare. This is not legal advice, and your lawyer's view of what migraciones accepts comes first.