Argentina, South America’s second-largest country, is a magnet for travellers drawn to Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Iguazú Falls, and its world-class wine regions. Whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, study, or work, Argentina’s visa policy is remarkably open — with a very large number of nationalities able to enter without a visa at all.

This comprehensive guide explains exactly what is required based on your nationality, passport type, and purpose of visit, covering all visa-free arrangements, electronic authorisations, special exemptions, and the full range of visa types available.

1. General Entry Requirements

All visitors entering Argentina must hold a valid passport (or, in specific circumstances, a national identity card). Key requirements are:

• Passport validity: Must cover the full intended period of stay — Argentina does not require the standard 6-month buffer that many countries impose
• Mercosur and associated state citizens may enter with a valid national identity card instead of a passport, when arriving from a Mercosur country
• Venezuelan citizens may enter using an expired passport or expired ID card under a special regularisation regime (introduced September 2024)

Extensions of stay are generally possible up to twice the initially granted period (in increments of 30 or 90 days). Students may extend their stay up to 2 years at a time.

2. Visa-Free Entry — 90 Days

Citizens of the following countries may enter Argentina without a visa for up to 90 days. This is the largest and most permissive category, encompassing most of Europe, the Americas, and key partners worldwide.

2.1 All European Union Member States

All 27 EU member state passport holders qualify for 90-day visa-free entry, including: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

2.2 Other Countries — 90 Days Standard

The following countries also qualify for the standard 90-day visa-free stay:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Barbados
• Bolivia (ID card accepted from Mercosur country entry)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil (ID card accepted)
• Canada
• Chile (ID card accepted)
• Colombia (ID card accepted)
• Costa Rica
• Dominica
• Ecuador (ID card accepted)
• El Salvador
• Fiji
• Georgia
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Honduras
• Iceland
• Israel
• Japan
• Liechtenstein
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Panama
• Paraguay (ID card accepted)
• Peru (ID card accepted)
• Qatar
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Suriname
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom (note: not applicable to British Subject or British Protected Person passport holders)
• United States
• Uruguay (ID card accepted)
• Vatican City

2.3 Special 90-Day Conditions

The following countries qualify for 90-day visa-free entry but with specific conditions attached:

• Armenia — 90 days within any 180-day period
• Belarus — 90 days within any 1 calendar year
• Russia — 90 days within any 180-day period
• Ukraine — 90 days within any 180-day period

3. Visa-Free Entry — 60 Days

Citizens of Venezuela may enter Argentina without a visa for up to 60 days. They may also enter using an ID card if arriving from a Mercosur country.

⚠️  Special regime (from 20 September 2024): Venezuelan nationals outside Argentina who are in irregular situations may regularise their entry status by completing a formality and paying ARS 50,000 (or ARS 6,000 for an Argentine Identity Card). Crucially, they may use an expired passport or expired ID card for stays of up to 90 days under this special programme.

4. Visa-Free Entry — 30 Days

The following countries and territories qualify for visa-free entry for shorter periods of 30 days:

• Grenada — 30 days
• Hong Kong (SAR) — 30 days. Applies to residents travelling on HKSAR or British National (Overseas) passports
• Jamaica — 30 days
• Kazakhstan — 30 days within any 1 calendar year
• Macao (SAR) — 30 days. Applies to residents travelling on Macao SAR passports
• Malaysia — 30 days within any 1 calendar year

5. Other Special Visa Exemptions

5.1 Morocco — Fee Exemption

Moroccan citizens require a visa to enter Argentina; however, they are exempt from paying the standard visa application fee of USD 150. Moroccans must still apply for and obtain a visa before travelling.

5.2 Visa-Free with a Valid US Visa or Green Card

Citizens of three specific countries may enter Argentina without obtaining an Argentine visa, provided they hold a qualifying US travel document:

• China — May enter for both tourism and business using a valid US Green Card or B1/B2 visa
• Dominican Republic — May enter for tourism only using a valid US Green Card or B2 visa
• India — May enter for tourism only using a valid US Green Card or B2 visa

ℹ️  Only a US B1/B2 tourist visa qualifies for this arrangement — other US visa categories (work, student, etc.) do not suffice. Chinese citizens have a broader entitlement, covering both tourism and business.

5.3 International Organisation Passport Holders

Individuals holding valid travel documents issued by the following international organisations are not required to obtain a visa for visits of up to 90 days:

• United Nations Passport Holders
• Interpol Passport Holders

5.4 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic & Taiwan

Passport holders from the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Taiwan must use a Travel Certificate issued by Argentina instead of a conventional visa when travelling to the country. Kosovo passport holders are also in this category (see Section 8 on Transit for details).

6. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA / AVE)

6.1 What is the ETA?

The Electronic Travel Authorization (known as AVE — Autorización de Viaje Electrónica) is an electronic pre-authorisation system for tourism travel to Argentina. It is designed for citizens of countries that would otherwise require a traditional visa, but who hold a qualifying US visa or travel authorisation. When approved, it allows a stay of up to 90 days without a traditional visa and costs USD 400.

6.2 Who Qualifies for an ETA?

To be eligible, applicants must hold a valid, current regular passport and meet at least ONE of the following conditions:

• Hold a valid US B2, J, B1, O, P (P1/P2/P3), E, or H-1B visa
• Have travelled to the United States at least once in the 2 years preceding the application
• Hold a valid US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) permit

Citizens from countries that are US visa-exempt (i.e., they can enter the US without a visa) may also apply for the Argentine ETA provided they hold valid ordinary, diplomatic, official, or service passports and can demonstrate at least 1 entry to the US in the prior 2 years, or hold a valid ESTA.

⚠️  Important: Schengen visa holders were previously eligible for the ETA; however, this eligibility was suspended by Provision 538/2020 (27 January 2020) and remains suspended as of June 2025.

6.3 Countries Excluded from the ETA

The ETA is NOT available to citizens of the following countries and territories, who must instead obtain a traditional visa:

Countries Excluded from the Argentine ETA

Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Comoros, Egypt, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Micronesia, Morocco, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen

6.4 Crew Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE Tripulante)

The Crew Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE Tripulante) is a separate authorisation for foreign nationals from the Philippines and India who intend to enter Argentina to serve as crew members on Argentine or foreign vessels. Key points:

• Applications must be submitted by maritime agencies registered in the Argentine Registry of Maritime Agency Representatives
• Applicants must hold a valid travel document and an up-to-date Seaman’s Book
• The AVE Tripulante is conditional and is only finalised upon arrival at an authorised border checkpoint
• Entry remains subject to the discretion of Argentine immigration officials

7. Visa Types for Those Who Need a Visa

For citizens of countries not covered by any of the visa-free or ETA arrangements above, Argentina offers a comprehensive range of visa categories. All applications are submitted through the nearest Argentine Consular Representation (embassy or consulate) in the applicant’s country of residence.

Visa Type	Purpose	Authorised Stay
Tourist Visa	Tourism and leisure travel	Up to 90 days
Business Visa	Business meetings and activities	Up to 60 days
Conference & Professional Activities Visa	Conferences, fairs, technical/artistic/scientific activities	Up to 30 days
Student Visa +365	Study programmes exceeding 365 consecutive days	Over 1 year (as approved)
Student Visa -365	Study programmes under 365 days	Under 1 year (as approved)
Visa for Official Education Students	Study at official institutions (secondary to postgraduate)	Up to 2 years
Visa for Non-Official Education / Exchange / Interns / Scholars	Non-official institutions, exchange programmes, volunteer, intern or scholar roles	Up to 1 year
Working Holiday Visa	Work and holiday — ages 18–30 or 18–35 depending on country	12 months
Visa by Nationality (Mercosur)	Temporary residence for Mercosur/associated state nationals	2 years
Work Visa	Employment in Argentina	As approved
Transferred Personnel Visa	Employer-directed relocation into Argentina	As approved
Family Reunification Visa	Spouse, child, or parent of Argentine citizen or permanent resident	As approved
Visa for Catholic Clergy	Temporary residence for Catholic religious workers	As approved
Visa for Non-Catholic Clergy	Temporary residence for non-Catholic religious practitioners	As approved
Syria Program Visa	Special humanitarian visa for Syrian nationals	As approved
Electronic Entry Processing (TIE 24H)	Professional, artistic, business, or academic activities for visa-exempt nationals	As approved (online process)

7.1 Working Holiday Visa — Eligible Countries

The Working Holiday Visa allows nationals aged 18 to 30 (or 18 to 35 for some countries) to live and work in Argentina for 12 months. This visa is available to citizens of the following countries:

• Australia
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• South Korea
• Sweden

7.2 Visa by Nationality — Mercosur

Citizens of Mercosur member and associate states may apply for a nationality-based visa that grants temporary residence in Argentina for up to 2 years. This must be processed at the Argentine Consular Representation corresponding to the applicant’s country of residence.

7.3 Electronic Entry Processing (TIE 24H)

Nationals from visa-exempt countries who wish to engage in professional, artistic, business, or academic activities in Argentina — rather than pure tourism — can apply online using the TIE 24H system. This replaced the previous requirement of completing paper forms on aircraft. Applicants must access the online platform and then follow up with their chosen consular representation.

7.4 Syria Program

Argentina has established a special humanitarian visa programme specifically for Syrian nationals, coordinated by the National Directorate of Migrations (DNM). The programme aims to facilitate the integration of beneficiaries and is supported by a working group that engages with both Catholic and evangelical communities within Argentina.

8. Transit Through Argentina

Argentina provides specific transit categories for travellers passing through, each with its own rules:

8.1 Passengers in Transit (Stopping in Argentina en Route Elsewhere)

These are travellers using Argentina as a transit country to reach a third destination:

• An Argentine consular transit visa is required, specifying transit passenger status
• Authorised stay: Up to 10 consecutive days
• The National Directorate of Migration may extend this by a further 10 days in valid circumstances

8.2 Passengers in Continuation of Travel (Through-Travellers)

These are travellers passing through Argentina and departing within 12 hours of arrival:

• A confirmed outbound ticket is required
• The transporting company must declare the passenger’s continuation-of-travel status
• No consular visa is required
• Passengers entering and exiting through the same port must remain within the airport, station, or port premises
• In cases of force majeure (unexpected delays beyond 12 hours), temporary departure from the port may be authorised by the National Directorate of Migration at the transporting company’s request and responsibility
• Failure to depart within the specified period results in a border rejection, and the transport company must arrange the passenger’s return

8.3 Passengers Joining a Transport Crew

Foreign nationals entering Argentina to join the crew of an Argentine or foreign transport vessel:

• Authorised stay: Up to 10 days, renewable only under exceptional circumstances for a similar additional period
• An Argentine consular visa is mandatory — it must be obtained from the relevant Consular Representation before arrival

9. Travel Certificate Required (Special Cases)

Holders of passports from the following countries and territories must use an Argentine-issued Travel Certificate instead of a standard visa when travelling to Argentina. This applies to:

• Kosovo
• Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
• Taiwan

These entities are either not fully recognised or have a unique status under Argentine foreign policy, requiring this alternative documentation pathway.

10. Quick Reference Summary

Traveller Type	Entry Requirement
All EU citizens + most major Western nations	No visa — 90 days
Armenia, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine	No visa — 90 days (within 180-day or calendar-year limits)
Venezuela	No visa — 60 days (expired docs accepted under special regime)
Grenada, Jamaica, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Kazakhstan, Malaysia	No visa — 30 days (or calendar-year limits)
China, Dominican Republic, India (with valid US Green Card or B2 visa)	No visa required (US document exemption)
UN or Interpol passport holders	No visa — 90 days
Eligible non-visa-exempt travellers with qualifying US visa/ESTA	ETA (AVE) — USD 400, 90 days, apply online
ETA-excluded countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, etc.)	Traditional visa required — apply at Argentine consulate
Working holiday eligible nationals (12 countries)	Working Holiday Visa — 12 months
Kosovo, Sahrawi AR, Taiwan passport holders	Argentine Travel Certificate required
Transit passengers (en route to third country)	Transit visa or no visa (see Section 8)

Disclaimer

Visa policies are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the nearest Argentine embassy or consulate, or at migraciones.gov.ar, before travelling.