Job Discussion Forums

[farmerpaul]

so on one side the penalty for overstaying a tourist visa is 50 pesos, and there's no time limit with regards to how long you overstay. on the other side, having a legitimate extension placed on your tourist visa is 100 pesos + waiting in line headaches, and can only be done once. a trip to Uruguay for the weekend is probably going to cost more than that. why aren't all tourists who want to reside for an extended period just simply choosing to overstay?

[yidishehmama]

hmmm i was actually asking this same exact question myself about a week ago. is the penalty for overstaying 50 pesos? or 100? cause i've heard both, but i've heard more people say it's 100.

i ended up going to colonia for one day, and i really enjoyed it. as it turned out, the total cost of the trip ended up being about 100 pesos, and plus you get the experience of going to uruguay. if you go and come back on the same day, on the slow boat (3 hours each way), the round-trip cost is 70 pesos. i took the boat that left at 9am, got to colonia at noon, left at 6:45pm, and got back to BA at about 10pm. i took about 40 pesos with me and that was plenty for lunch and a few souvenirs. colonia was described to me as boring by a lot of people but i thought the town was really pretty, cute, and chill. however spending one day there is enough...there really isn't that much to do. but it was fun, perfect for a day, and i recommend going!

becky

[D Silverman]

Is it really this relaxed about overstaying in Argentina? Just a question of 50 pesos or maybe a 100? No deportations, your passport stamped - can't return, maybe blacklisted, as could happen in other countries?? In Germany, Holland, the UK they can be strict on overstaying your visa. Just curious.




Damien

[amy1982]

i don't know about all that, but if you're really worried about it and want to make sure everything is en blanco, it's pretty easy to leave the country via buquebus to get to uruguay. the cheapest ticket is around $100 (pesos) for a whole day excursion to colonia, uruguay. passport stamp included.

[guillebaires]

I've met a french guy overstaying in Argentina since 1993... LOL

[sheena maclean]

[BA Expat]

If you are serious about finding out more about visas and want "official" information, I would try your consulate's webpage, and if they don't have a reliable one, as is such the case with Paraguay, go there.

I also have many friends that are lawyers here that would know, and since Argentina has the highest per capita lawyer statistic under it's belt, you are bound to run into one of your own, perhaps in your classroom. Otherwise try the office people at The TEFLocal Immersion Program, they have consultants that work with teachers and give helpful professional advice at no charge. Another option is trying an immigration firm such as ARCA, they will cost you however. There are a few other ways to confirm your questions and concerns as well, such a asking a friend or a local. Suerte

BAE

[REDLEY]

Hi! here you have one of the lawyers per capita in this country ! hehe.

As someone has said, the fine for overstaying is AR$50 while renewing your visa is AR$100 + waiting in line for 2 to 4 hs (depends).

The thing is that if you overstay, your record at the DNM (Direcci�n Nacional de Migraciones) will be tainted. Data bases right now are very old and crappy, so It wont affect you any time soon, but I heard they are currently updating their software and servers, so eventually in the future if you want to come back, you will be blacklisted, or if you file a permanent residence authorization etc.

I suggest what amy1982 mentioned about going to Colonia (Uruguay) for a day, its about AR$ 100.

Espero que ayude. Saludos.

[Everyday Eva 1984]

Hi Redley are you a teacher? Do you have any information regarding jobs or anything? My school has told me more than enough about visas so I really am just interested in more job opportunities here, anyone else please chime in. Thanks!!!

[REDLEY]

Hi Eve, sorry, I am not a teacher....I am an english student and an argentine lawyer...Unfortunatelly I am not related to the english teachers job market....But this Forum is packed with teachers who can be more helpful than me. Anyway....if I know/hear of any oportunity I will let you know. Suerte.

[citruscinders]

I went to Nacional de Migraciones (Av. Ant�rtida Argentina 1355) to pay that $50peso fine for overstaying my visa. (You will get an exit permit valid for 10 days.)

Go early, bring your onward ticket and passport. You need proof that you're leaving otherwise, you won't get a stamp in your passport. They are also open at specific hours on specific days. Call them to find out when, and if you're female, the operator will flirt with you (!). 4317-0200.

Basically, from the above office, you can pay the overstay fine up to 10 days before you leave but no later than 3 days before you leave. You can also get it done on the spot when you reach a border crossing. The lady stressed that it only costs $50 pesos, nothing more. Anything more would go into the pockets of the official you would be dealing with at the time (her words).

If you are at EZE airport, allow time for line-ups.

Their website is www.mininterior.gov.ar/migraciones

[YanquiQuilme�o]

Is this whole "day trip to Uruguay thing" really the solution? According to the law, US citizens can enter Argentina with their passport for 90 days. But they can only spend 90 days out of every 180 day period using their passport only. So technically, you're supposed to leave Argentina for 90 days before you come back if you've already spent 3 months here as a tourist.

I know that "this is Argentina", but does no one really catch on when you're taking your 5th day-trip to Uruguay?

[matttheboy]

[Phil_b]

Not sure how this changes things, but I like to point out that it's not just when you cross a border that the authorities check how long you've been in the country. When you're in a border area there are often checkpoints where buses get stopped and everyone has their documents checked - I've been to Formosa a few times (that�s where my wife�s from) and there's a checkpoint just outside the city - Gendarmes checking for Paraguayans overstaying or smuggling. It also happens near Iguazu and Posadas in Misiones - more likely that you'll visit there.

The border point and checks in Misiones are manned by people from the department of Migraciones - they seem to be more easy going than the ones manned by Gendarmes (like those in Formosa). Gendarmes ask a lot more questions (not that I�ve ever had any problems)

It might be something to consider, having said that I think it�s still just a case of paying $50 if you get caught....

[YanquiQuilme�o]

I've heard that Missiones is NOT the place to go if you want your passport stamped. Some people who went there told me that there are so many people crossing the border at the same time that they don't stamp you passport there. Anyone else had this experience?