STUDENT VISAS
On August 18, 2006, a new regulation concerning student visas was enacted. “Disposicion 20.699/2006” of the Argentine immigration Authority (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones), sets out different requirements according to the nationality of the prospective student, the duration of his or her studies, and the nature of the course to be taken.
This information is designed to give students a general idea of the visa requirements. Requirements may vary according to the applicant’s citizenship, length of studies and course to be taken. It is the responsibility of the Argentine host school/educational institution to provide prospective student with detailed information regarding the visa requirements of their specific situation and to assist them in adjusting their status upon arrival in Argentina. To avoid inconveniences, travelers are strongly advised to contact the Argentine school/educational institution well before making any travel plans.
Citizens of CANADA and other tourist-visa exempt countries (excluding participants in cultural exchange programs - Rotary, AFS, Youth for Understanding - or internships)
Short-term studies (up to 90 days): No student visa is required. Can enter and remain in Argentina as “tourists” for the duration of their studies.
Longer-term studies (more than 90 days): can enter as “tourists”, but must submit the following documents to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones within 30 days of enrollment, to adjust their immigration status in Argentina.
a. Official letter of admission/enrollment from recognized school/educational institution in Argentina.
b. Student exchange program certified by the organizing educational institution in Argentina (if applicable)
c. Valid passport
d. A clear criminal record certificate from each country the applicant has resided in during the last 5 years. In Canada, the certificate must be issued by the RCMP. This is only necessary for applicants who are 16 years of age or older and that will be remaining in Argentina for more than 6 months. *
e. A clear criminal record certificate issued by the Argentine Federal Police Department or the “Registro Nacional de Reincidencia” (to be requested once in Argentina).
f. Parental consent to travel and to live abroad as well as the designation of a legal guardian in Argentina (for applicants who are minors in their country of origin only - under 18 years of age in Canada): must be signed by both parents and notarized, and the notary public’s signature certified by the Chamber of Notaries, Lieutenant Governor or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa (whichever applies). *
g. Birth certificate (for applicants enrolled in a course of studies for longer than one year and aimed at obtaining a high school or a university degree only). Plastic cards are unacceptable. Certificates must be issued by a the provincial governmental authority. *
h. Immigration fee (if applicable).
(*) Criminal record certificates, parental consent and birth certificate must be authenticated with the Hague Legalization Convention “Apostille.” Information on where to obtain the “Apostille” certificate on a document is available at http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=text.display&tid=37 . Should the country where documents originate not follow the Hague Convention (as is the case with CANADA), the applicant will have to send the documents to the Argentine consulate in that country for authentication. The contact information of all Argentine consulates in the world is available through the Argentina Foreign Ministry’s Website at www.cancilleria.gov.ar (click on “Representaciones Argentinas”).
Citizens of tourist-visa non-exempt countries; as well as all participants in cultural exchange programs - Rotary, AFS, Youth for Understanding - or internships, regardless of their citizenship (excluding citizens of Mercosur States)
a. Passport: must be valid for the length of studies and have at least one completely free page for the visa.
b. A completed application form. (to be obtained from the Consulate)
c. 3 recent passport-sized photographs.
d. A clear criminal record certificate form each county/city the applicant has resided in during the last 5 years. In Canada, the certificate must be issued by the RCMP. This is only necessary for applicants who are 16 years of age or older and that will be remaining in Argentina for more than 6 months. *
e. Parental consent to travel and to live abroad as well as the designation of a legal guardian in Argentina (for applicants who are minors in their country of origin only - under 18 years of age in Canada): must be signed by both parents and notarized, and the notary public’s signature certified by the Chamber of Notaries, Lieutenant Governor or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa (whichever applies). *
f. Birth certificate (for applicants enrolled in a course of studies for longer than one year and aimed at obtaining a high school or a university degree only). Plastic cards are unacceptable. Certificates must be issued by a the provincial governmental authority. *
g. Evidence of funds to cover all expenses while in Argentina (e.g.bank statement) and documentation of accommodation arrangements.
h. Evidence of sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language to pursue the intended studies in Argentina (except for applicants enrolled in Spanish language courses).
i. Visa fee and immigration fee. Visa and immigration fees shall be paid with separate money orders, by Certified Cheque or Money Order.
j. All visa applicants without exception must present themselves in person for an interview with a consular officer. Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in Spanish (except for applicants enrolled in Spanish language courses).
(*) Criminal record certificates, parental consent and birth certificate must be authenticated with the Hague Legalization Convention “Apostille.” Information on where to obtain the “Apostille” certificate on a document is available at http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=text.display&tid=37 . Should the country where documents originate not follow the Hague Convention (as is the case with CANADA), the applicant will have to send the documents to the Argentine consulate in that country for authentication. The contact information of all Argentine consulates in the world is available through the Argentina Foreign Ministry’s Website at www.cancilleria.gov.ar (click on “Representaciones Argentinas”). All documents must be translated into Spanish by a recognized translator or translation agency, and be accompanied by a “certificate of accuracy” (a signed statement by the translator that the attached translation into Spanish is true and correct) and the translators signature must be certified by the local provincial Order/Association of Translators.
PLEASE NOTE: Argentine immigration rules prohibit changes of visa status from “tourist visa” to “student visa” while in Argentina or at an Argentine consulate in neighboring countries (like Uruguay or Chile). Tourist visa visitors wishing to study in Argentina must leave Argentina and return to their country of habitual residence to obtain a student visa.
Citizens of: Brazil, Chile Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia
Short-term studies (up to 90 days): Can enter and remain in Argentina as “tourists” Longer-term studies (more than 90 days): can enter as “tourists” but must submit the following documents to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones within 30 days of enrollment, to adjust their immigration status in Argentina.
institution in Argentina.
a. Passport or other valid ID
b. A Clear criminal record certificate from each country/city the applicant has resided in during the last 3 years. In Canada, the certificate must be issued by the RCMP. This is only necessary for applicants who are 16 years of age or older and that will be remaining in Argentina for more than 6 months. *
c. A clear criminal record certificate issued by the Argentine Federal Police Department or the “Registro Nacional de Reincidencia” (to be requested once in Argentina)
d. Parental consent to travel and to live abroad as well as the designation of a legal guardian in Argentina. (For applicants who are minors in their country of origin only - under 18 years of age in Canada): must be signed by both parents and notarized, and the notary public’s signature certified by the Chamber of Notaries, Lieutenant Governor or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa (whichever applies). *
e. Immigration fee.
(*) Criminal record certificates and parental consent must be authenticated with the Hague Legalization Convention “Apostille.” Information on where to obtain the “Apostille” certificate on a document is available at http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=text.display&tid=37 . Should the country where documents originate not follow the Hague Convention (as is the case with CANADA), the applicant will have to send the documents to the Argentine consulate in that country for authentication. The contact information of all Argentine consulates in the world is available through the Argentina Foreign Ministry’s Website at www.cancilleria.gov.ar (click on “Representaciones Argentinas”).