The Argentina Asylum Visa, Explained

Yes. You can apply for residency in Argentina both outside the country and after arriving. The application can be made abroad by the interested party or their representative, before an Argentine consular or immigration authority with jurisdiction in the applicant's domicile. Alternatively, the application can be made within Argentine territory by a representative, by first-degree relatives of the applicant, or by a requester, before the National Immigration Office.

The processing time for the asylum visa application is approximately 30 business days from the date the file is generated. This timeline only begins once the payment of the visa application is confirmed.

Yes. There is an option to obtain an appointment faster by paying an extra fee when filing the residency application. See the visa fees page for details.

Valid reasons for seeking asylum in Argentina include:

1. Individuals in need of international protection who are not refugees or asylees under applicable law, but are protected by the Principle of Non-Refoulement and cannot regularize their immigration status through other criteria set out in Law No. 25.871 and its regulations.
2. Individuals who are likely to be subjected to human rights violations recognized in international instruments with constitutional status if forced to return to their country of origin.
3. Individuals who have been victims of human trafficking or other forms of slave exploitation or victims of illegal migrant trafficking.
4. Individuals who invoke health reasons that make it likely they would be at risk of death if forced to return to their country of origin.
5. Foreigners who invoke humanitarian reasons that justify, in the opinion of the National Immigration Office, special treatment.
6. Those who enter the country for reasons not covered in the previous sections and are considered of interest by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship.

If your asylum visa application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal should be submitted to the National Immigration Office within five business days. You have the opportunity to improve or expand the grounds of your appeal within five business days of it being received by the National Immigration Office.

Administrative acts that decide on the issues listed in Article 74 can also be subject to a Hierarchical Appeal, which should be filed with the issuing authority of the contested act within fifteen business days of its notification. This appeal will be automatically elevated within five business days to the National Immigration Office.

Please note that providing false information in your application will result in the cancellation of your residence, the declaration of the irregularity of your stay in the country, and your expulsion.

Yes. You can bring dependents or family members to Argentina together with you under your asylum visa. Accepted family members are the spouse, children, or parents of the main visa applicatant. The children must be under 18 years old or older with a disability.

Yes. You can travel in and out of Argentina without any restrictions on an asylum visa. The visa includes multiple entries and exits.

No. Argentina has no cap on the number of visas they issue. Whether you get the visa or not depends on meeting the application requirements.

Yes. You can switch to a different visa type while residing in Argentina on an asylum visa. The law states that foreigners can change their immigration category or subcategory without needing to leave Argentine territory.

Yes. It is possible to renew this visa. You must renew it before it expires though. You can file the renewal application starting from 60 days before the expiry date, up to 10 days. If you are late, it is possible to renew the visa up to 30 days after the expiry date, paying an additional fee. After 30 days following the expiry date, it is no longer possible to renew a visa.

Yes for permanent residency. No for citizenship. You can apply for permanent residency in Argentina after living on an asylum visa. The law states that you can apply for permanent residency if you have lived in Argentina continuously for two years if you are a national of a MERCOSUR or associated country, or three years in other cases. For citizenship application, you must first be a permanent resident. There is no direct path to citizenship from temporary residency.