Argentina Visa for Indians

The Argentine government issues a visa to people who are neither citizens nor residents of Argentina but want to visit the country for a specific reason. The government issues different types of visas allowing the individual to enter the country for specific reasons. While a visa is mandatory to enter the country, if the officials find any problem at the time of immigration, the country reserves the right to deny entry to the visa holder.

Indian citizens require a visa to visit Argentina. You can visit the official website of the Embassy of Argentina to look for the latest information on an Argentina Visa for Indians. While you would want the best preparation for your trip, don’t forget about buying an international travel insurance plan.

• Argentina offers a wide range of visas designed to cater to the varying needs of travellers. You can choose a visa based on your purpose of travelling to the county

• Indians can opt for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to bypass the queue for traditional embassy-based visas

• You can get multiple-entry visas for Argentina

• The processing time for the visa is around three weeks. Therefore, make sure to submit your application well in advance of your travel date.

Does Argentina offer Transit Visas to Indians?

There are two options to choose from if you are looking for an Argentina transit visa for Indian citizens:

Transit without Visa: If your layover in Argentina is less than 12 hours and you are willing to spend that time at the airport, then you can opt for the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) option. Remember, you will need a confirmed onward ticket to avail of this facility.

Regular Transit Visa: If you need to change airports in Argentina or have a longer layover (more than 12 hours) and want to leave the airport, then you will need to apply for a regular Transit Visa. This also needs proof of onward travel and is issued for up to 10 days.

Here are the validity periods for different types of Argentina Visas:

Remember, these durations are tentative and can change based on the circumstances of the applicant. Hence, make sure that you apply early and discuss the duration if needed with the embassy.

Here is a quick look at the Argentina visa fees for Indian travellers:

Indians need to apply for an Argentina Visa offline by visiting the Argentina Embassy in India. Here is a quick look at the application process:

• Go through the website of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic or the Consulate General of the Argentine Republic in India and understand the eligibility criteria and documents needed to apply for an Argentina Visa

• Fill out the application form carefully. Check for errors and ensure all information provided is accurate and the form is filled completely

• Attach the required documents. You will be required to get the documents translated into Spanish. Make sure that you use reputed professionals for the same, as incorrectly translated documents are not accepted

• The entire application process can take up to three weeks. Hence, make sure that you apply well in advance to avoid last-minute delays

• Submit the completed application and documents to the consulate/embassy

• You should hear back from the consulate/embassy within three days of submission if any additional information is required

• If all documents are as specified, then the officer will call you for a personal interview. This is mandatory for all types of visas

• If you successfully clear the interview and your application is approved, you will be asked to pay the fees at the bank. Remember, the consulate/embassy does not accept fees. It needs to be paid at the specified bank

• Once this is done, the visa is issued within five working days

All Indian citizens planning to visit Argentina for any purpose need to apply for a visa.

Make sure that you go through the different types of visas available and choose the one that best suits your intent of travelling to the country. Also, some travellers seek assistance from an agency to help with the visa application process.

The eligibility criteria for an Argentina visa can vary with every application based on the circumstances of the applicant. However, here is a general list of Argentina visa requirements for Indians for your ready reference:**

• Passport: All applicants must have a valid passport that is not expiring at least for six months from the intended date of travel.

• Required documents: Based on the type of visa applied, you will be required to submit certain documents. The applicant needs to have the documents to be eligible for the visa

• Purpose: The applicant needs to have a valid and legitimate reason to visit the country

• Financial standing: Applicants must be financially strong enough to manage their expenses during their stay in Argentina

• Good character: The authorities can ask applicants to submit a clearance certificate from the police that mentions no criminal record to establish responsible character

• Healthy: All applicants must meet the minimum health requirements specified from time to time

Here is a list of documents required for Argentina tourist visa and other visas:**

• Passport: Original and genuine passport that is valid for at least six months from the period of travelling to Argentina. It should have at least two blank pages for visa stamping. If you have an old passport that is expired or completely stamped, then you would be required to submit that too.

• Photograph: Clicked on a white background with the face covering at least 80% of the frame, all applicants are required to submit two latest photographs as per the specified guidelines.

• Air ticket: Applicants are required to submit confirmed air tickets to Argentina and back.

• Travel Itinerary: The document specifying the details of the trip that match the air tickets needs to be submitted.

• Bank Statement: Applicants must submit a statement of their bank account for the specified period to validate the fact that they can support themselves while traveling. It should be on an A4-size paper and must have the original seal and signature from the bank.

• IT Returns: Applicants are required to submit notarized attested copies of IT Returns for the preceding three years

Remember, this is a common list of documents. To get the complete list, you need to decide the type of visa you want to apply for and check with the consulate/embassy.

Some of the COVID-related mandatory documents that Indian nationals may need to provide when applying for an Argentina visa after the pandemic include:

• Negative COVID-19 test result

• Health declaration

• Travel Health Insurance

• Quarantine declaration

Please check the embassy or consulate’s website for the latest guidelines.

The process of approving a visa is stringent as the country wants to be sure to not open its doors to any potential troublemakers. Hence, all documents are checked and all factors are verified. While visa rejection reasons can be specific to a particular applicant, here are some of the common rejection reasons:**

• Information mismatch: One of the most common reasons behind the rejection of an Argentina visa is the lack of complete information or a mismatch between the information on the application form and the attached documents.

• Lack of funds: Argentina wants to be sure that you can manage your expenses while visiting. Hence, your bank statement and IT returns are scrutinized meticulously. If the review does not display the financial ability to manage costs in Argentina, the application can be rejected.

• A history of crime: In some cases, the visa is rejected because the applicant has a history of crimes related to terrorism, drugs, or immigration.

• Insufficient travel history: Applicants who have not made international trips before might find it difficult to get their Argentina visa approved.

• Ambiguous purpose of travel: If the consulate/embassy officials are not convinced with your declaration of the purpose of traveling to Argentina, your application can be rejected.

If your application is rejected, reach out to the embassy/consulate officials and ask them for the way ahead to get your visa approved.

Indian citizens have to apply for a visa to travel to Argentina. Also, all visitors must have an international travel medical insurance policy for the duration of their trip. It should include coverage for a range of medical costs like hospitalisation, medical procedures, etc., and emergency medical evacuation.

While the Argentine authorities ensure that all travellers have adequate financial standing to manage their costs while traveling, medical emergencies can dent finances in no time. With a travel plan that covers medical emergencies, they can claim travel insurance policy and manage these expenses better.

The Tata AIG Argentina Medical Travel Insurance Plan offers comprehensive coverage including:

• Medical Cover

• Travel Assistance

• Cover Against Personal Liability

• Cover For Accidents and Sicknesses

• Hijack Cover

• Baggage Cover

• COVID-19 Cover

Automatic policy extension for 60 days or date of discharge whichever is lesser in the event of your hospitalization in Argentina during the policy tenure & the policy expires.

Here are some important things to know about Argentina before you visit:

• Plan your trip: Argentina is a huge country. So, if you have a few days in the country, then don’t try to cover all places to see within that trip. Instead, focus on places close to where you are to save on travel time and costs. Argentina has a lot to offer. Create a travel plan and choose the region based on your preference.

• A paradise for meat lovers: Argentinians love food – specifically meat. It is not uncommon to find a steakhouse wherever you look in the country. Barbecue parties, meaty street food, and fine dining places – Argentina is a paradise for meat lovers. Vegetarians and vegans must research dining options before visiting the country.

• Argentinians love their wine: But they are not heavy drinkers. This combination makes for some fun wine and meat sessions with your newfound amigos in the country. The Argentinian Malbec red wine is the local favorite and they don’t mind watering it down with some soda to avoid a hangover.

• Take it easy – Argentina loves to take its time: Offices in Argentina usually don’t open before 10 AM. Dinner time is around 9-10 PM and the post-dinner drinks and conversations can stretch up to one in the morning. So, starting late and ending late is the mantra of Argentina.

• Castellano – a marriage between Spanish and Italian: We are referring to the language spoken in Argentina. While it is a form of the Spanish language, the Italian roots of the country have added an Italian punch to the way the locals speak and gesticulate. So, if you are learning Spanish before going to Argentina, try Castellano instead.

• Volatile economy: For all the beauty and joy Argentina offers, its economy is extremely volatile and gets affected by various micro and macroeconomic factors. So, if you have researched the cost of things in the country and visit it two months later, don’t be surprised if the costs have risen by up to 50%!

• You will love Argentinians: Most global travelers regard Argentinians as some of the warmest and nicest people they have met around the world. Since tourism is a fairly new industry in the country, locals are keen to talk to tourists and understand their perspective of Argentina.

• Watch a football match in Buenos Aires: This should not be missed. When the love for a game turns into a mad cacophony of celebration and heartbreak, the match turns into religion – and the footballers become gods! Words cannot do justice to this adrenaline-spiking experience.

• Ride like a Gaucho: In Argentinian folklore, a Gaucho is a skilled horseman who is brave and unruly. You can plan a couple of days staying in the beautiful Argentinian farmhouses and go horse riding with the local cowboys (Gauchos)

• Hike and trek to your heart’s content: The first name that comes to mind is Patagonia. The hiking and trekking trails here are some of the best in the world. However, numerous trails across the country can make it to the bucket list of any outdoor enthusiast.

• Experience the joy of eating at Parrillas: Parrillas or steakhouses are present at every nook and corner of the country. Argentina is the largest cattle-farming country in the world and is synonymous with some of the best beef in the world. If you end up making some local friends, then sample the beef at an asado (barbecue) or a Sunday Argentinian family dinner (if you can get invited)

• Watch whales in Peninsula Valdes: This is the best place in the world to watch the southern right whales as it is their breeding ground. You can also watch elephant seals and sea lions in the region.

• Get away from the noise at the Parana Delta: The third-largest river delta in the world, the Parana Delta is serene and abundant in wildlife

• Explore the Andes: You can rent a car to drive to the scenic landscape of the Andes mountain ranges or explore it on foot by trekking and camping as per your comfort