citygirl said:
Actually, there is NO law that says 180 days in a year (calendar or 12 month period) is the maximum length of stay. The law simply states that one must leave after 180 days. It is perfectly legal to return. It's a simple loophole to close (to wit, many countries clearly state that one may not stay in that country for more than 180 days in a year). To date, Argentina has not done so.
As posted, the law is vague and if Migraciones were to suspect someone was abusing the intent of the tourist visa (ie, here for years or working or whatever), they could indeed deny entry.
However, there is nothing illegal about staying in Argentina a year for example, if one is a tourist, not working and traveling as long as you leave after 90 days (or 180 if you have renewed once in Argentina).
This is a mistake. There is no debate about that as soon as the tittle of chapter V of the law is "About the illegality of the staying".
Look:
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ARTICULO 24.- Los extranjeros que ingresen al país como “residentes transitorios” podrán ser admitidos en las subcategorías establecidas por el artículo 24 de la Ley Nº 25.871, con los siguientes alcances:
a) Turistas:
quienes ingresen con propósito de descanso o esparcimiento, con plazo de permanencia de hasta TRES (3) meses, prorrogables por otro período similar.
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[FONT="]ARTICULO 34.- A efectos de controlar el ingreso y egreso de personas del territorio argentino la DIRECCION NACIONAL DE MIGRACIONES tendrá las siguientes atribuciones:
g) Otorgar la admisión al país, si correspondiere, dentro de las categorías migratorias establecidas o, en caso contrario, rechazar el ingreso del extranjero.[/FONT]
[FONT="]ARTICULO 35.-
a) Rechazo en frontera: Cuando se dispusiere el rechazo en frontera de un extranjero, la autoridad migratoria arbitrará los medios necesarios para que su reconducción fuera del territorio argentino se realice en el menor tiempo posible.[/FONT]
[FONT="]TITULO V - DE LA LEGALIDAD E ILEGALIDAD DE LA PERMANENCIA[/FONT]
[FONT="]CAPITULO I - DE LA DECLARACION DE ILEGALIDAD Y CANCELACION DE LA PERMANENCIA[/FONT]
[FONT="]ARTICULO 61.- Cuando se verifique que un extranjero hubiere desnaturalizado los motivos que autorizaron su ingreso al territorio argentino o permaneciera en éste vencido el plazo de permanencia acordado, la DIRECCION NACIONAL DE MIGRACIONES lo intimará a fin de que, en un plazo que no exceda de TREINTA (30) días, se presente a regularizar su situación migratoria debiendo acompañar los documentos necesarios para ello. A tal efecto, se lo notificará por escrito informándole, de un modo comprensible, las consecuencias que le deparará mantenerse en la situación migratoria advertida.
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According to the law, art. 24, the visa con be renewed one time. After that, you are not a tourist any more, you become an immigrant (no matter the euphemism you want to use to describe yourself) and that´s why art. 61 says "[/FONT]denaturing[FONT="] the reason that authorized his entry to the country".
The philosophy behind the law is to attract immigrants instead of deport them like happens in other countries that have enough or are overpopulated (US and UE). That´s why the law gives you the chance to apply for a residency. But, if you don t do it, the deportation procedure begins and in less than 3 months you have a deportation order.
So, it is not illegal to abuse of the visa renewal, because illegality is regarding to crimes. Here we have an irregularity that can be healed applying for a residency or citizenship.
So, yes, there is a 180 days limit in the law.
And it makes no sense to go to Uruguay as soon as it is the best way to get a 30 days ultimatum or to be rejected at the border.
Regards
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BTW - I think you provide a great service to many expats who need a way to regularize their situation. Kudos to you. 
