Based on what I've found regarding a Rentista Visa, (mostly from this forum, big thanks, terrific help on evolving rules), I need to come to Buenos Aires before beginning a Rentista application process. Last time I examined the requirements at Migracion, it referenced the applicant's attorney and left me with the impression an attorney is necessary. Is this the case?
Does every tourist receive a 90 day stamp? Do I need to specifically request it upon entry to assure I get a 90-day? Is that enough time to complete the Rentista visa process if I arrive with the appropriate documents and begin soon after arrival? We visited a couple of times. They probably asked how long we planned to stay and I never paid any attention.
I see in the Argentine embassy in Bogota, there is a Tourist Visa. Why? If everyone who arrives in Argentina gets a 90 day stamp? Makes me wonder if I need one.
Is a Rentista visa the appropriate visa if I have a qualifying pension? We plan to be there for exactly one year. The embassy is very helpful to my wife who qualifies for a Mercosur Visa but simply will not communicate with me, not sure if it's because I'm a US citizen.
Hi there, with regards to your enquiry, you need to know that the RENTISTA visa is a very difficult visa to secure. You need to show that you have assets or sufficient wealth in your home country (certified by a CPA) and that you assume the committment of transferring certain amount of money every month to cover your stay (nowadays it´s AR$ 30,000 monthly). In addition to these accounting documents, you need to gather a general requirement for all adults which is securing a Criminal Background Check Certificate corresponding to the countries where you have lived for more than 1 year over the past 3 years. If you only lived in Colombia, then you will only need to submit your Colombian Police Clearance Certificate.
A couple of things to have in mind:
1) If your wife has a MERCOSUR Nationality, she can apply for a 2 year visa based on her nationality, and if you have sufficient proof that you are married (Marriage Certificate), you can enjoy the same benefits of this 2-year visa because you would be a DEPENDANT. Dependants are allowed to WORK in Argentina. For MERCOSUR Nationals, The WORK PERMIT is OPEN, meaning that it´s not restricted to only one employer, and it does not require a previous Company Sponsorship.
2) The MERCOSUR VISA can either be secured at the Embassy or IN COUNTRY, by entering Argentina as a tourist, and then requesting an appointment to switch the Tourism Status into a MERCOSUR VISA.
3) The Argentine Embassy in Colombia offers the TOURISM VISA STAMP to those who are in Colombia who actually NEED a visa to Argentina, For example, Indian National living in Colombia who wishes to travel to ARG. This is not your case, you don´t need to go to the Embassy for a Tourism Visa, you can just fly to ARG and enter as a Tourist.
4) Once you enter the country, they stamp a 90-day entry permission. Filing a Visa Request may take you approx. 7 business days in total, so you have plenty of time to convert your status.. It is of the essence that you bring all the documents that the Immigration Authority will require.
5) I strongly recommend not to go for the RENTISTA VISA as there are no clear rules about it, the visa analysis period may take longer, and the rejection rate will be much higher. I recommend that you focus on being a Dependant using your wife´s MERCOSUR VISA (for that, BOTH OF YOU need to apply for the VISA TOGETHER), or think some other alternatives which may require a more thorough discussion (i.e. setting up your own entity and sponsor your own employment, find a friend who might use his company to sponsor you, etc etc).
6) Any and all official foreign documents such as: Marriage Certificate, Criminal Background Check Certificate, need to be legalized with the APOSTILLE. Without it, the document CANNOT be submitted in Argentina. If the document is not in Spanish, then it needs to be Translated ONLY by Argentine Public Translators. Don´t waste time and money getting them translated outside of ARG.
I hope you find this info useful! Good Luck!