Job Discussion Forums

[MattieBoi11]

Hi everyone! I'm planning on moving to Buenos Aires next February and I have a lot of questions. Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated. Here are a bunch of questions that I've thought up so far.

Would a US check be accepted to pay rent?

Is it possible to open a bank account when you only have a tourist visa?

If not, where do you keep the money you make from teaching? Is it possible to make a deposit to an American checking acct. at an ATM in Argentina?

I haven't traveled much so I'm a little confused when it comes to purchasing plane tickets. It's seems that buying a round-trip ticket is much cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets. The problem is that I don't know when I'd like to come back to the states. Can you book a round-trip ticket and then change the return date later?

How does the whole free classes at public Universities work? Does it apply to people just there on a tourist visa?

Right now I'm searching for apts in the following neighborhoods: Belgrano, Palermo, Colegiales, Nu�ez, and Las Canitas. Any advice about them would be very helpful (where is cheapest/safest/most exciting).

What is the attitude towards Americans in Argentina (Buenos Aires specifically)?

Any information about the IH Belgrano CELTA program.

It seems like most everyone who is teaching English is working in Argentina illegally. It also seems that nobody really cares that this is happening. I'm just wondering what you tell customs when you're leaving and re-entering the country every 90 days. They can't possibly believe you're just on vacay, can they?

Well, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

[Stevie-G]

I live in Rosario (large city 3 hours from BA) and will try to help you on a few of your' questions.

Would a US check be accepted to pay rent?

Not "no"...but "hell no"! They will not take a US personal check, or a cashiers check. Some people will take travelers checks, but you are better off with cash.

Is it possible to open a bank account when you only have a tourist visa?

Yes. You will need a CDI. This is a document stating that you have an address in Argentina. The strange thing is it has nothing to do with your' immigration status. You go to the local Police station, you fill out a form, give your address and times of day you will be there. A police officer (or office worker of the Police Dept.) will come to your' address and verify you live there. Then he will issue the CDI document. With that document you can open a bank account at MOST Argentina banks.



If not, where do you keep the money you make from teaching? Is it possible to make a deposit to an American checking acct. at an ATM in Argentina?

Even with an Argentina bank account I would not have a balance of over 1.000 USD. You can get a safety deposit box with your account. Most USA ATM cards will work here, as far as withdrawing money. I do not think you can deposit money.

I hope this helps a little..I am sure other people here can help more!


Suerte!

Steve

[yogarina]

I'm piping-up here. Citibank has several branches in BA. I was going to look into whether I could start an account here in the US (online or at a branch) and transfer it to BA.

[Stevie-G]

Nope!

Can't be done! I tried it...I argued up and down....the account will not transfer!

sorry...

[misteradventure]

It would not be a bad idea to put a chunk of cash in your US acct. and withdraw it via ATM.

Pay bills with cash. If you are an illegal do you really want a pile of documents pointing right back to you? Having said that, get receipts for everything and keep them. Records are good to have.

Transferring money is usually done via bank wires. Most US banks charge from $25 regardless of the amount.

Teaching anything you are unlikely to make enough cash to warrant a deposit into an overseas acct. (remember that wire transfer fee?) You will pay bills, have a good time, travel a bit maybe, but that is it.

For information on universities, contact the local Argentine Consulate. You could qualify for a student visa. Foreign students are sources of cash, however, so expect to pay something for your education. Most classes in Latin America are in Spanish (or Portuguese, of course!)

Wait until after you take the course and eyeball the place. You might find the loud traffic, dangerous neighborhoods, the piles of dogsh*t on the sidewalk everywhere, et cetera to be too much to handle right away. Consider staying for 2 months and then flying home to pack your bags 'for good' before you commit. (You will also know what you want to bring and what you should never have considered packing.)

I can refer you to an excellent travel agency to straighten out your ticket. (I worked for them for 3 years and my old boss still does my travel arrangements!) They can make sure your passport issues are straightened out as well. IM me if you are interested.