Argentina Student Visa Application Process

Credit: Andrea put together most of this guide. I added a few more details over time in response to questions.

Contents:

• PART 1: Documents You Need Before Applying
• PART 2: Application Process for Student Visa
• PART 3: Appointment with Migraciones
• Radex Argentine Website: View Radex Guide

Key details:

• Time: 3-7 days after collecting documents
• Cost: ~$1,000 USD for the year depending on program
• Spanish level: beginner to intermediate depending on program. Note you always have the option to bring a translator.
• Educational options: pretty much all programs work (eg Wanderlust Spanish school, cooking, art, normal classes etc.)
• The two types of student visas
  • 4 year degree programs: qualify for temporary residency with a DNI. Qualifies for the permanent residency after 3 years.
  • Transitoria 1-year visa: a visa for non-4 year programs. Doesn't give DNI or temporary residency. You can legally enter and leave Argentina but most carry that document to do so and should keep travel to minimum as attendance is recorded at class. Does count towards the 2 years needed before applying for citizenship.

PS: Americans looking to qualify for the foreign-earned-income-exclusion probably need to use Rentista or other visa.

PART 1: Documents You Need Before Applying

1. Criminal Record Check from Country of Origin (Authenticated with an Apostille, Translated, Legalized)

Note: This process is different for every country. I've listed the steps for Americans and Canadians

American Background Check Steps

Note: apostille by state department can take 3 months!

• Begin the process of obtaining antecedentes penales from the FBI in the U.S.
• Prepare fingerprints:
  • Print the fingerprint sheet on cartulina at a local librería
  • Visit comisería 14 (the police station) in the morning for fingerprinting
• Process the background check:
  • Send the fingerprints to a channeler in the U.S.
  • Await a PDF of the background check (usually same day)
  • Forward it to another channeler for apostille by the Department of State
    Note: Anticipate this entire process taking about 6 weeks. Important: The background check is valid until the next time you visit the US.
• Translate and legalize the document:
  • Upon receipt of the background check from the U.S., engage a translator through the colegio de traductores for document translation
  • Send the translated document to the colegio for legalization
    This process should take about a week.

Canadian Background Check Steps:

1. Get a criminal record check from the RCMP:

   • If currently in Argentina, contact Commissionaires in Canada.
   • They will coordinate with the RCMP to help you get your criminal record check.

2. Submit the following documents to Commissionaires:

   • Commissionaires Application Form
   • Canadian passport-sized photo
   • Notarized copy of your passport
   • Notarized copy of your Canadian driver's license
   • RCMP Criminal Record Check Form

3. Make an appointment with the Canadian embassy:

   • Get the copy of your passport and driver's license notarized
   • Appointment duration: about 30 minutes

4. Make an appointment at the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia:

   • Complete the RCMP Criminal Record Check Form
   • Book appointment here
   • Location in Buenos Aires: Registro Nacional de Reincidencia, Tucumán 1357, C1050 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires

What to Expect:

• They will take your fingerprints with ink
• Process may take time due to potential ink smudging
• Be patient and bring extra copies of the RCMP Form
• Form is completed the same day of your appointment
• Include the address of the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia on the Form

What to Bring to the Appointment:

• RCMP Criminal Record Check Form
• Passport
• Copy of your passport (can be in black and white)

Note: If you don't bring a copy of your passport, they will ask you to leave the building, make a copy, and come back.

Duration of Appointment: 1-2 hours

Final Step: Submit your documents to Commissionaires (e.g., via FEDEX).
Expect to have your criminal record check completed in about 6 weeks. Once your criminal record check is completed, Commissionaires will mail it to you via courier.

Once you receive a physical copy of the RCMP criminal record check, make an appointment with the Canadian embassy to get an Apostille. They can usually do this on the same day of your appointment. I waited at the Embassy for about an hour. You can also drop it off and pick it up another day.

_Note: Most people send their RCMP criminal record check to Global Affairs Canada to get the Apostille. This process takes 3-4 months. You save a ton of time by getting the Apostille directly from the Canadian embassy in Buenos Aires.

Both the RCMP Criminal Record Check and the Apostille need to be translated into Spanish and legalized by a notary public.

A translator from the Buenos Aires City Translators Bar can usually do both. Make sure to ask in advance. This is the link of the Buenos Aires City Translators Bar. Using the search engine, you can find all English certified translators in Buenos Aires City and their contact information:

[https://www.traductores.org.ar/] (https://www.traductores.org.ar/) I found someone in Palermo. It took her about 3 days to complete the work.

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2. Criminal Record Check from Argentina

1. Make a second appointment at the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia for an Argentine criminal record check.

   • Book appointment here
   • Location: Registro Nacional de Reincidencia, Tucumán 1357, C1050 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires

2. What to expect:

   • They will take your digital fingerprints

3. What to bring:

   • Passport
   • Copy of your passport (can be black and white)
   • Appointment confirmation email

   Note: If you don't bring a copy of your passport, they will ask you to leave the building, make a copy, and come back.

4. Duration of Appointment: 20 Minutes

5. Receiving the results:

   • When making your appointment online, select when you want to receive the final results
   • Example: Selection of 48 hours resulted in receiving a copy by email

3. Copy of Passport (Translated, Legalized)

1. Make a coloured photocopy of your passport
2. Get it translated and legalized by a certified translator in Argentina
3. Find English certified translators in Buenos Aires City:
   • Use the Buenos Aires City Translators Bar search engine

4. Certificado de Domicilio

1. Obtain this proof of your address in Argentina from your local police station

   • Recommended: Go to the police station nearest to your apartment

2. What to bring:

   • Lease or proof of address
   • Passport

3. Time: 5 Minutes

5. Enrollment Letter from Authorized School

After registering with an approved school, they will provide a letter of enrolment confirmation for Migraciones

Important Note: Clarify with the school:

• Type of visa you can expect with enrolment in their program (student transit visa or student temporary residency visa)
• How they are registered with Migraciones (ask for proof)
• Talk to other students about the type of visa they received
• Be aware that some school administrators may use the term 'temporary residency' incorrectly

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PART 2: Application Process for Student Visa

Once you have all the documents listed in Part 1, you are ready to apply online for your Student Visa.

1. Start your application on RADAX
2. The application process is divided into Step 1 and Step 2

Step 1

• Follow the attached Step by Step Guide
• Process should take about 15 minutes
• Note: Make sure to select TEMPORARIA/TRANSITORIA/ ESTUDIOS (see Slide 13)

Step 2

• You will receive an email with instructions after completing Step 1
• Upload copies of all your documents (use JPG only)
• Use Canva to attach multiple documents together if needed
• This step should take about 15-20 minutes

After Step 2

• You will receive an email from Migraciones with your appointment day and time
  • Your appointment time cannot be changed
• You will also receive a Precaria attached to the email
  • This document gives you the legal right to be in Argentina until your appointment

Note: With expedited processing, the appointment was scheduled 3 business days after completing Step 2

PART 3: Appointment with Migraciones

What to Bring to the Appointment:

• Confirmation of your appointment (email)
• Precaria (attached to the email)
• Passport
• Copy of passport (translated and legalized)
• Criminal record check from country of origin (authenticated with an Apostille; translated and legalized)
• Criminal record check from Argentina
• Certificado de Domicilio
• Enrolment Letter from School

What to Expect:

• If you live in Buenos Aires, the appointment will likely be at the Department of Immigration on Av. Antártida Argentina 1355
• The entire process takes about 1.5 hours
• If you have all the documents, there should be little to no conversation between yourself and the migrations officer
• At the end of your appointment, they will tell you to check the status of your application in 2 business days

Check the Status of Your Application:

Application Status Check

• After 2 business days, you can access your "student visa"
• It's a 3-page PDF document stating you are entitled to be in the country for a specific duration
• This is the only document you will receive (no ID card or DNI)
• Bring this document with you if you ever decide to leave and re-enter the country

Contact Migraciones:

If you have any questions about your application, you can contact Migraciones here

Note: Email response time is typically within 3 business days

Good luck!

Guide to Radex System

Radex is the Argentine migration website. it's not user friendly so we have a guide to using it that's valid as of August 2024. Here's the Radex PDF guide. View Radex Guide

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