Argentina Semester and Year Visa FAQ

You will be applying for a “Transitory Visa for Cultural Exchange” also known as an “Informal Studies” visa. This type of visa is specially created for exchange students in Argentina.

You must apply for your visa through the Consulate General of Argentina which has jurisdiction over your state. You will either be required to apply in-person, or you may be able to ship your application to the Consulate to be processed. Please contact your consulate to inquire whether you must have an in-person appointment.

• A list of required documents will be sent to you by your Visa and Compliance Specialist.
  *You will also need to contact your consulate for a finalized list of requirements.

There are many steps involved in applying for the Argentine visa and you will begin gathering and providing the required documents after instructed to do so by AFS. We recommend applying for your visa at least one month before departure.

• The current visa fee is approximately $165 USD.
• The Immigration Office in Buenos Aires requires that AFS Argentina register your intention to apply for a visa at their office, prior to your visa application submission to your consulate. AFS Argentina will pay immigration officials $350 to initiate your visa process, which will give permission to the consulates to issue the visa.  AFS USA has prepaid this cost and will bill you for this amount.

There are many additional costs involved in obtaining, translating, notarizing, legalizing/apostilling, or mailing the required documents. There may also be additional costs associated with traveling to the Consulate for an in-person appointment.

Are any of these costs covered in my AFS program fee?

No, your program fee does not cover any of the costs related to obtaining your passport. You will be billed separately for the visa initiation that occurs in Buenos Aires. Any consular document authentication, shipping, travel, or other types of expenses will be your responsibility.

Requirements vary between consulates, which is why it is important to contact the consulate in your jurisdiction directly and not solely rely on AFS instructions. Consulates also reserve the right to request additional documents not listed on their websites. Fees are determined by immigration authorities and are subject to change at any time.

You should not plan any travel outside of the United States three months prior to your program. If you travel before the start of your program, you will run the risk of not being able to begin your program as originally scheduled.