US Embassy in BA Issues Updates Regarding Covid Crisis.

[D.B. Cooper]

Here are some helpful links and tips from the US Embassy regarding the Covid Crisis while living in Argentina.


Subject: Update on Consular Section Services

The Consular Section of U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires would like to update U.S. citizens regarding the Consular Services available at this time.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy, including the Consular Section, continues to prioritize critical and emergency services and operate with very limited staffing. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of the public and Embassy employees. We recognize the difficulties for U.S. citizens whose passports have expired or may expire soon. We assess the embassy operating status in relation to the COVID-19 situation in Argentina on a regular basis and adjust the operating status accordingly, in compliance with U.S. Department of State guidelines and local government requirements.

Below is an update on available consular services:

Emergency Services for U.S. citizens:

· This includes reporting the death, serious illness, or arrest of a U.S. citizen. (This does not include passport services.) U.S. citizens or their family members should contact us at [email protected] or (54-11) 5777-4354for emergency assistance.

Voting Assistance:

· U.S. citizens seeking to vote in U.S. elections should review recent Voting Messages and visit the Consular Section webpage on voting at https://ar.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/voting/. Voting questions may also be directed to [email protected].

U.S. Passport Applications and Renewals:

Urgent Travel Within Four Weeks

· Presently, we are prioritizing passport appointments for U.S. citizens who provide evidence of flight confirmations up to four weeks in advance of their planned travel. These appointments are subject to availability, but we strive to provide this service to facilitate U.S. citizen departures from Argentina. Please contact us at [email protected] to ascertain the availability of an appointment.

Expired Passports and/or Future Travel

· We also offer limited, routine passport processing for U.S. citizens whose passports have expired and/or U.S. citizens who have travel plans farther into the future. These limited, routine passport appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be booked via this link on the Consular Section’s website. We know that you need advance notice to plan, especially if your child needs a new passport. We will release appointments at least three weeks in advance, but availability is limited. You should continue to monitor the website for appointment openings as cancellations do occur. Should your plans change, and you no longer need your appointment, please cancel it so that it is available to someone else.

Documenting the Birth of a Child via a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and First U.S. Passport

· U.S. parents seeking to document the birth in Argentina of their U.S. citizen child and apply for the child’s first U.S. passport should follow the instructions our website at this link. Once we receive and review your application package, we will schedule your appointment at the Consular Section. (Current wait time is approximately four weeks.)


We recognize that ongoing travel restrictions within Argentina make it difficult for U.S. citizens in areas outside of Buenos Aires to reach the Embassy for passport services. The Consular Section is exploring in-country options for the possibility of adult only (DS-82 Form) passport renewal by courier service and online application fee payments. If and when this program is approved and implemented, the Consular Section will notify U.S. citizens accordingly.


Notarial Services:

· Routine notarial services are suspended at this time.


Visa Services:

We also recognize that many U.S. Citizens in Argentina have family members or business associates who require visas for travel to the United States.

Nonimmigrant Visas (travel for business, tourism, etc.)

· Routine nonimmigrant visa processing remains suspended. We will resume routine nonimmigrant visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date. Argentine citizens who need to travel immediately must follow the guidance provided under the “Expedited Appointments” tab here to request an emergency appointment. Visa applicants should not submit an Expedited Appointment Request more than 20 days before their intended travel date.

Immigrant Visas

· Routine immigrant visa processing remains limited. We will resume routine immigrant visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date.. If you have an urgent matter regarding your immigrant visa petition for your family member, please contact the National Visa Center (NVC) at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html and follow the guidance to request an emergency appointment.

 

[jantango]

UPDATE ON PASSPORT RENEWAL
Message to U.S. Citizens residing in Córdoba, Mendoza, and Santa Fé (Rosario City) Provinces and the City of Buenos Aires and surrounding area. Availability of Online Fee Payment and Adult Passport Renewal via Courier Service.

The U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires is pleased to offer a pilot program to pay your passport renewal fees online and request renewal of your adult passport (form DS-82 only) via courier service. We encourage all U.S. citizens residing in the service area to take advantage of this option to renew your adult passport.

This program is limited to the renewal of adult (form DS-82) passports and cannot be used for the renewal of a child’s or first-time adult (DS-11) passport. A DS-11 application requires an appointment and personal appearance at the U.S. Embassy.

U.S. citizens taking advantage of this service are not permitted to drop the application forms at the U.S. Embassy directly. If you wish to make a personal appearance for an adult passport (form DS-82) renewal then you must book a regular passport appointment via the Embassy website at https://ar.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/. Due to limited appointment availability, U.S. citizens eligible for the adult passport renewal by courier or Correo Argentino are strongly encouraged to use the renewal by courier service.

Eligibility:
You may submit a passport renewal by courier only if you can use the DS-82 passport application form and all of the following apply:

Your passport is:
· Undamaged;
· Issued within the last 15 years;
Issued with a 10 year validity; and
· Issued in your current name or you have changed your name since your passport was issued and can submit legal documentation to prove this change.

Fee Payment:
Passport applicants seeking to submit a DS-82 application via courier must pay the application fee online at the following website: https://pay.gov/public/form/start/607957567. Eligible applicants may process their payment via U.S. or international credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer from a U.S. based bank account, Amazon Pay, or PayPal.

Application Submission Process:
Applications must be submitted via DHL to the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires. (Applicants in the City of Buenos Aires may also send their application packages via Correo Argentino’s trackable mail service of “Carta Certificada Plus" instead of DHL.)

You must include in the DHL courier (or Correo Argentino) envelope:
1. Proof you paid your application fee (see the below information)
· Printout of email from Pay.gov using this linkthat confirms you successfully paid the non-refundable $110 application fee; insert Argentina as renewal location. Applicants may create an account or instead utilize the payment form as a “guest user.”
2. Fill out and submit your DS-82 passport application form online, using the Passport Wizard
· You must print and sign the DS-82 application on the line labeled Applicant’s Legal Signature

· Note the strict requirement to provide your U.S. Social Security Number on the DS-82 application

o If you do not have a Social Security Number, you must also submit a statement on a separate piece of paper, signed and dated, that includes the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration.”
3. Your most recent full-validity (10 year) U.S. passport, must be included
4. One color passport photograph (5 x 5 cm, white background) taken within the past 6 months, no eyeglasses
5. If applicable - Evidence of Change of Name – e.g. Marriage Certificate, Change of Name, Statutory Declaration or Court Order (name change must have taken place after your previous passport was issued)
6. Return, pre-paid DHL airway bill - only available from one of the below participating DHL offices. Family members or trusted friends may purchase the DHL pre-paid airway bill on the applicant’s behalf, but the airway bill must contain the applicant’s name, as listed in the applicant’s U.S. passport.

DHL Córdoba: Ayacucho 23, Córdoba City

DHL Mendoza: Patricias Mendocinas 927, Mendoza City

DHL Rosario: Av. Pellegrini 1075, Rosario City

DHL Buenos Aires: Av. Cabildo 1209, Belgrano, CABA

DHL Buenos Aires: 25 Mayo 447, Microcentro, CABA

Send your application and all requested documents via DHL to the following address:
U.S. Embassy Argentina
Consular Section - ACS Unit
Av. Colombia 4300 (1425)
Buenos Aires, Argentina