As of 2024, Argentina has taken a more restrictive stance on immigration procedures for tourists. A significant change in the law now prohibits individuals who require a tourist visa — or who entered with an AVE (Electronic Travel Authorization) — from applying to change their migratory status while inside the country.
What does this mean in practice?
If you’re a foreign national who needs a tourist visa (or an AVE) to enter Argentina, you can no longer arrive as a tourist and later apply for temporary residency, a work visa, or any other migratory subcategory from within Argentina.
Instead, you’ll need to start the process from abroad, applying through the relevant Argentine Consulate in your home country or country of legal residence. In many ways, this aligns Argentina’s model with that of countries like Mexico, where status changes must be initiated externally.
Who is affected?
- Nationals of countries that require a tourist visa to enter Argentina.
- Travelers entering under an AVE permit, often used by certain countries that don’t need a traditional visa but still have restrictions.
- Anyone considering long-term stay, work, study, or residence who planned to “adjust status” while already in Argentina.
Who is not affected?
Nationals of visa-exempt countries (like the EU, UK, US, etc.) can still initiate certain migratory procedures from within Argentina — at least for now. But this could change in the future, especially as the country re-evaluates its immigration policies.
Bottom line
If you’re planning to relocate to Argentina, you’ll need to plan ahead. The days of entering as a tourist and figuring it out later are coming to an end — or, in many cases, are already over.
The party is nearly over for spontaneous immigration. Strategic planning is now essential.
Buenos Aires, May 17th, 2025
