How to Get Your Work Visa in Argentina

Getting your work visa in Argentina isn’t easy. But I can assure you of this: The process for U.S. residents is not so overwhelming that you should throw up your hands and spend the money/energy/time leaving the country every three months to renew your tourist visa.

Like many other processes in Argentina, this one involves copious paperwork and patience. However, after a couple months of bureaucratic processes, I submitted all of the necessary documents and started my job with a visa precaria. Months later, when my DNI finally arrived to an office in Microcentro, I got to experience the best part of the process: a government employee handed me my DNI card, and I signed my name in a massive tome of official Argentine residents.

Following, you’ll find a step-by-step process to procure your DNI. In addition to legal working rights, this grants you access to Argentine bank accounts and credit cards, plus discounts at museums, events and in-country flights.

1. Obtain your FBI background check

This is the most complicated step of the process, one that should ideally be completed while you’re in the States. However, the work can definitely be done from Argentina.

The cheapest option is to go through the government directly, but it can take up to 15 weeks to process, and they are not very helpful if you have questions or if something gets lost along the way. I would recommend going through a channeler, which is more expensive but MUCH faster.

Choose a channeler

I used My FBI Report. The reps were super communicative and helpful — especially when my first round of fingerprints got lost in the mail. When you contact the company, they email you all of the necessary forms, including a fingerprint form. I just printed mine form on standard printer paper and it worked fine.

Have your fingerprints taken

I took the fingerprint form to my local comisaría, which at the time was at Venezuela 1931. They took my fingerprints for free. (This, of course, happened after I visited three other police stations, but you know, the drawn-out run-around kind of goes without saying.) I’ve heard that not all comisarías take prints, but you can try your local station first before shlepping out to Monserrat.

Mail your prints

I sent all of the forms to My FBI Report, first via Correo Argentino. But after those prints got held up somewhere en route, I sent a second set of fingerprints through FedEx. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND spending the $90-something to use FedEx. My second set of fingerprints arrived in days and were processed by the time my first set finally arrived to the States — more than a month after sending them.

Certify and translate your prints

Once My FBI Report completes the background check, the “rap sheet” report needs to be certified. I had My FBI Report send the results to a friend in the States. I faxed her all of the signed forms, and she mailed my complete package to US Authentification Services. The reps from this company were also very helpful in answering questions within numerous emails.

I had US Authentification Services mail the results to my company’s lawyer (another $80 in FedEx fees), and he had the results translated in Argentina.

2. Get a proof of address

For my certificado de domicilio, all I had to do was go back to the comisaría with my passport and request the certificate. I believe it cost AR $10 (as of October 2016). They sent a police officer the next day to my apartment to certify that I do, indeed, live where I said I do. I was home, but I also told my doorman and roommates to vouch for me. Anyone can receive the certificate.

3. Go to the office of immigration

I had two appointments at immigration:

1. to have my fingerprints taken and my Argentine background check completed
2. to sign papers and receive my visa precaria

My lawyer was present for both visits, and I’m so grateful for that. The place is a maze, and he said the Argentine process is simple but no one tells you what you’re supposed to bring for each appointment, so people end up coming back numerous times.

You can complete the process without a lawyer, but I would highly recommend hiring one if your employer isn’t offering you support throughout the process. A friend has vouched for IMMIGRAR, which offers immigration services at reasonable rates.

Best of luck, and let me know if you have any extra tips!