Visa/DNI questions

[BAwithkids]

Thanks for all the comments! After reading this, I think I need to go with my gut and get the visas. I think I'll be able to do these on my own (without a lawyer) - I talked to someone at the NYC consulate who was very helpful...

HOWEVER, to get DNIs, which I think has to be done after we arrive (is that right?), how long would it take if we did this on our own (vs. through a lawyer)? I contacted someone at ARCA, which seems to be highly recommended, and getting DNIs through them for all four of us was $2,500 US! Any recommendations for another firm that is good but does this cheaper? Thanks, thanks, thanks - all of your help is making me so much less stressed about our move!

 

[steveinbsas]

Katti posted that she was told she would "receive" her DNIs after her arrival, but I don't know if she had to go to the registro or not. Even if youu do have to go to the registro after your arrival, getting your DNIs there is now easier then ever and the cost is about TEN DOLLARS per person! If you apply for temporary residency at a consulate they will tell you what to do. If you do have to go to the registro you can get a turno on line. They have become surprisingly efficient in the past 18 months.

 

[steveinbsas]

Here's the link to the registro (RENAPER) with info regarding the DNI:

http://www.mininterior.gov.ar/trami...bMenu=tramDNI&idNameSubMenuDer=tramDNIRenaper

 

[BAwithkids]

Steveinbsas - Thank you! This is great information. $40 is a whole lot better than $2500! And the university where I will be located may be able to help, but I don't want to count on that...

 

[steveinbsas]

I got my DNI in 2006 when it was an ordeal to do so and I didn't speak much Spanish, but I did it on my own.

When I went to the registro in 2009 to change my category from temporary to permanent I was amazed how easy it was. They had my info in the computer and with an advance turno I was in and out in less than an hour!


PS: Do you know if the $2500 price ARCA quoted you was only for your DNIs or was it a total for resident visas and DNIs for you entire family? If the price is "all inclusive" it's only $600 per person and that's actually a "competitive" figure.

Of course it will cost you much less to get the visas through the consulate.

Earlier you mentioned the visa rentista, but a "work" visa is probably the route to go. The visa rentista requires an investment income of $2000 per month.

There's more information (in Spanish) on the migraciones website, but here are the basics in English from Just Landed:

http://www.justlanded.com/english/Argentina/Argentina-Guide/Visas-Permits/Temporary-Residence-Visa

Bajo_cero2 gave me a serious beat down for quoting this website's info regarding citizenship, but I think this might help you better understand the visa process/requirements.

 

[A&A]

BAwith Kids, I think you are not fully understanding the process. It is my understanding, to get a DNI you need a Visa of some category besides tourist. I think the ARCA fee was for getting your Visa and DNI. If it is just getting DNIs after you have received visas on your own, then yes, it is a lot. But if not, it's expensive but not crazy as legal fees go. You are basically paying for time, conveinence and certainty. So you have to weigh those against $$.

My personal feeling is that if you are certain you are only coming for a year I would not bother. Yes, the moral ambiguity of "saying you are a tourist", but if you do wind up leaving periodically for trips to visit around South America you will be a tourist and complying. Again, if you are certain you are only here for the year it is not worth the money or hassle.

 

[BAwithkids]

A&A - the $2500 was clearly JUST for the DNIs, not the visas as well. If it was both, then it might seem reasonable... And I think that, with kids, I would be too nervous about not having it all official.

 

[BAwithkids]

When I went to the registro in 2009 to change my category from temporary to permanent I was amazed how easy it was. They had my info in the computer and with an advance turno I was in and out in less than an hour!

Can someone tell me what an "advance turno" is??? How does one get one? And it's great to know that the process has gotten quick - hope that's still true in July.

 

[steveinbsas]

Can someone tell me what an "advance turno" is??? How does one get one? And it's great to know that the process has gotten quick - hope that's still true in July.

An advance turno is just an appointment. I think you can make one on line here:

http://www.mininterior.gov.ar/tramit...tramDNIRenaper

It would be worth checking to see how far in advance they are giving appointments at this time.

Even if you do need to go to the registro to apply for your DNI's after your arrival (assuming you get your visas in the USA) you should be able to make the appointment on line while you are still in the USA.

PS: While you and A&A were posting I added to the post I made at 1:28PM.

 

[MizzMarr]

I'm with AA here (obviously, based on my first post). I don't really understand why you would need a visa and a DNI if you're only coming here for a year aside from just making sure everything is strictly proper with all the i's dotted. The paperwork (apostille, notary) alone for the OP and their three family members will cost time and money, much less the rest of the hassle and choosing the right type of visa to apply for, etc. Argentina is still pretty relaxed, and as they haven't been cracking down on people who are the 90-day border crossers unless they see pages and pages (and pages) of border crossing stamps, going down the visa/dni road is a lot of headache for avoididing something that probably won't be an issue anyway. Just .02 from someone who's gone through it all.

Anywya, BAwithKids, if you do decide to go ahead and do it on your own (and yes, it will be easier to initiate the process Stateside) please do post here when all is said and done and let us know what you thought of the process, and ultimately how much it cost you. Best of luck, and have fun!