Visa extension

[Johnny Kawartha]

I just came back from migracion an hour ago with my 3 month extension in hand. I'm Canadian and was in and out in about 45 minutes. The fee is 20,000 pesos. I was worried because last year they didn't give me an extension because, if I understood correctly, while I had been out of the country more than 6 months, it had been less than 6 months between my previous visa expiration and my entry.
So, this time I brought an interpreter with me. I understood about 80% of what they said, but she really helped me and may possibly have made the difference in getting the extension and not. Her name Joey and her Whatsapp is +54 9 11 6933-0848. Unless you speak fluent Spanish, I highly recommend her services. My situation was almost exactly the same. I left Argentina in Feb of this year and came back the end of September but for some reason, they gave me the extension this time. Confused? Yeah, me too.

The laws here changed in May so the old border run doesn't seem to be an option any more. Google says Migracion opens at 8:30 but we showed up at 8:25 and the office was already open. You definitely want to show up early, before 9 for sure but 8 is better because they close at 2 pm apparently. Dress nice, be respectful, showered and shaved, take your hat off, smile, A LOT. The people there are very nice but you want to give them a reason to grant you the honour of extending you stay in this beautiful country because you are a guest of the people of Argentina and they are under no obligation to extend your stay.
Unless you don't ever plan on coming back, you definitely want to get an extension. Buena suerte a todos.

 

[jorisw]

The laws here changed in May so the old border run doesn't seem to be an option any more.

Got any anecdotes or quotes on that?

I'm debating whether to still try the border run. What does it mean if it doesn't work? Surely they'll let me in if I pop over to Colonia and back, as I'd still be inside of my tourist visa. So then I'd have some kind of issue departing the country a couple months after?

 

[steveinbsas]

Got any anecdotes or quotes on that?

Immigration changes: Health, Education, Deportation

https://www.infobae.com/politica/2025/05/14/el-gobierno-anuncio-su-reforma-migratoria-que-incluira-mas-requisitos-para-la-residencia-a-extranjeros-y-deportacion-expres/ According to the presidential spokesperson, the new immigration reform will include the following points: Anyone with a...

baexpats.org

Advice on Re-Entry from Uruguay Under New Immigration Rules (waiting on Marriage + Residency)

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice from others who may be in a similar situation, especially since the new immigration rules took effect. I originally entered Argentina on May 28th, and my current tourist stay expires August 28th. Like many others, I’ve been doing the usual Colonia Express...

baexpats.org

Immigration decree > Last word has not been said

In Argentina, when the President issues a Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU), it becomes effective immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette. However, its permanence depends on congressional review. Congressional Review Process for a DNU Submission to Congress: Within 10 business...

baexpats.org

 

[jorisw]

Thanks, but I'm not seeing evidence in there that the 'old border run doesn't seem to be an option any more', much less in direct relation to the May of 2025 policy change.

So I'm asking what's changed that would stop me from re-entering Argentina while still on my tourist visa, and how exit + entry near the end of that visa, would give me problems if I departed Argentina two months later.

 

[jorisw]

Part of the reason I asked is because some of the messages in related threads on this forum, argue against going to Migraciones at Retiro for a proper visa extension, as supposedly that puts you on record, potentially giving you more scrutiny in the future than if you hadn't

 

[steveinbsas]

So I'm asking what's changed that would stop me from re-entering Argentina while still on my tourist visa, and how exit + entry near the end of that visa, would give me problems if I departed Argentina two months later.

If you are still on your first 90 day tourist visa, granted when you entered Argentina. you should be able to leave and return and receive a new 90 day tourist visa without any problem. I have not read anything that indicates that the limit of 180 days of a "rolling year" has changed.

 

[steveinbsas]

Part of the reason I asked is because some of the messages in related threads on this forum, argue against going to Migraciones at Retiro for a proper visa extension, as supposedly that puts you on record, potentially giving you more scrutiny in the future than if you hadn't

Full disclosure: I never made a visa run or had an overstay. I did get one 90 day extension (as permitted) at migraciones in Retiro, and I was granted temporary residency before it expired.

I don't know why migraciones would give anyone "more scrutiny" for complying with their rules and getting one 90 day extension. A single overstay in the past is far more likely result in a closer look upon the next attempt to enter Argentina.

All tourists are "put on record each time they enter the country and migraciones knows the instant they overstay, but they don't have a history of hunting them down and deporting them. Of course that could change in the future, but I think it's more likely that the new "immigration police" may make reentry for those with previous "infractions" of the rules somewhat problematic (if not impossible).

 

[Johnny Kawartha]

If you have been here less than 3 months, I don't se how that would be a problem. I don't know enough about the changes to say whether or not you will get another 3 months. But why not just get a visa extension like I did? It's in Puerto Madero. A lot closer than Colonia.

Got any anecdotes or quotes on that?

I'm debating whether to still try the border run. What does it mean if it doesn't work? Surely they'll let me in if I pop over to Colonia and back, as I'd still be inside of my tourist visa. So then I'd have some kind of issue departing the country a couple months after?

 

[mageesa]

What are we to make of this? Do we suspect this was a special case or are they generally getting more prickly?

Tiktoker volvió a Uruguay y se enteró de que no podía reingresar a Argentina: por qué

La joven regresó a su país desde la vecina orilla y, al hacer migraciones, la pusieron al tanto de la situación.

www.montevideo.com.uy

 

[steveinbsas]

If you are still on your first 90 day tourist visa, granted when you entered Argentina. you should be able to leave and return and receive a new 90 day tourist visa without any problem. I have not read anything that indicates that the limit of 180 days of a "rolling year" has changed.

@jorisw: IF you leave and return before your original 90 day tourist visa expires, I believe the worst that could happen is that migraciones will allow you to reenter, but does not give you a new 90 day visa. If that happens, you could still go to migraciones in Retiro like Johnny Kawartha did and get a 90 day extension. That sounds like a much better option to me, as it will give you the additional months that you desire to stay in Argentina without any issues, and you will save the time and money it will cost to make a visa run.