Rentista Visa - Specific Questions

[Brent7777]

Chaz and Sleuth:
Thanks... Well, I found out I can get the FBI fingerprint card at Embassy, Consular Section, Window 15, M-F, 8:30 - 12noon.

"Bank statements alone will not be sufficient for the rentista visa. You need to have a pension, retirement fund or other passive income stream. This cannot be from a job. You will need an apostiled and translated letter from your accountant, bank or other financial advisor attesting to this."

I own a business in the U.S. and receive a monthly salary from that business, and this should qualify as passive income, I think. Someone mentioned to me that I can type a letter from the business (from my business partner?) which states I will receive a minimum of X dollars per month to live on permanently in Argentina? This would be a simple Word doc with our logo on it. Would this work? I can get this translated by an official translator, but not sure if it's even possible to get something like that apostilled. Would immigration ask for evidence other than the letter that I am the owner of the business? Please advise on this.

I can get our accountant to write a simple letter stating that I receive a fixed percentage of our corporation's earning each month. Is this definitely necessary, and again I can get it translated but not sure how to go about getting an unofficial letter apostilled, and from who and where. Would appreciate any details.

I also have a BA lease in my name, a cable bill and cell phone contract.

 

[steveinbsas]

I own a business in the U.S. and receive a monthly salary from that business, and this should qualify as passive income, I think. Someone mentioned to me that I can type a letter from the business (from my business partner?) which states I will receive a minimum of X dollars per month to live on permanently in Argentina? This would be a simple Word doc with our logo on it. Would this work? I can get this translated by an official translator, but not sure if it's even possible to get something like that apostilled. Would immigration ask for evidence other than the letter that I am the owner of the business? Please advise on this.

I can get our accountant to write a simple letter stating that I receive a fixed percentage of our corporation's earning each month. Is this definitely necessary, and again I can get it translated but not sure how to go about getting an unofficial letter apostilled, and from who and where. Would appreciate any details.

A salary is not considered passive income even if you are not involved in the daily operation of the business. Passive income from a business must be derived from dividends, but a "cleverly" worded letter from your accountant (as you suggested above) might work. DO NOT use the word "salary" in any of the letters you submit to migraciones.

Any document that has a signature that has been notarized can receive the Apostille, including letters from accountants, corporate executives, and bank officers.

 

[Sleuth]

Dividends from a business should be sufficient. You will need to look a bit more at the requirements to make sure you cover everything they need in that letter. The apostile is easy - just get the letter notarized and then apostiled. They only verify the signer's identity, not the content of the letter.

It sounds like you're doing this on your own. I might suggest hiring an attorney to do the rentista visa for you. It will go quicker and they are well aware of all the requirements, plus have contacts in Migraciones. I used Gabriel Celano and was incredibly happy with him.

 

[steveinbsas]

If you "own" a corporation you certainly are a stockholder in that corporation. The letter from your accountant can state that you are a xx% shareholder and receive a monthly dividend of $xxdollars. He doesn't have to be as "precise" as if he was preparing a document for use in the USA, but the monthly income stated in the letter should match the monthly bank deposits.

I had a bank officer write a letter (actually, I wrote it) verifying my account number and my monthly deposits. She also specifically referred to the source of the income (monthly checks from a trust account at R. H. Baird) and also stated that I could access the funds at most ATMs in Argentina. I used an updated version (translated with the Apostille) of the same letter each year for my visa renewals and the change to permanent residency.

The letter from my bank also confirmed my US address and my passport number. If you get letters from an accountant , a bank, and a corporate officer that all say (essentially) the same thing you shouldn't have any trouble at migraciones.

Remember that any assets and income you declare will be subject to taxation in Argentina. You mentioned that you already have your Argentine police report, but it may only be valid for 60 days. You will probably not have your FBI report before then so be prepared to get a new one here before you go to migraciones. At least you know how to do it and at least it's easy...