Any company sending international employees to work in Argentina must acquire work permits to stay compliant. While Argentina does not have strict permit requirements, obtaining a work visa is a notably long and involved process. Plus, your company will need a local corporate entity in the country to sponsor the Argentina work permits.
Types of work visas in Argentina
Most employees planning to work in Argentina longer than 90 days will need a temporary residence in the form of a 23A or 23E visa. The 23A visa applies to the majority of people moving to Argentina for a salaried activity that lasts 1 year. If needed, employees can extend this visa for longer. The 23E visa is an intra-company transfer for employees hired from a branch outside of Argentina who want to relocate their professionals to their local entity in Argentina. The 23E visa is also specific to scientists, specialists, some managers, technicians, and administrative team members. If employees fall into any of these categories, they may need to apply for a 23E visa.
Argentina is part of the MERCOSUR agreement. This means that certain nationals can simply obtain a MERCOSUR visa, also known as an 23L visa. The following countries are part of the MERCOSUR agreement: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname.
Requirements to obtain Argentina work visas
Employees will need to meet several requirements before applying for a working visa in Argentina. First, they need to obtain an entry permit, also known as the “permiso de ingreso.” As the employer, remember that you, your office in Argentina, or an immigration lawyer in Argentina must handle this step.
All candidates working under an international work contract must get the contract translated into Spanish. Then, the employment contract must be certified by a public notary and attested by the Argentine Notaries Association (Colegio de Escribanos) and signed by the hiring company. The applicant will then sign the contract before the Chief of the Consular Section.
Contracts must include information about a candidate’s period of employment, details of the company, names of all dependents, and evidence of a social security fund. Your company should then send the files to the consulate of Argentina in the employee’s home country.
Application process
Once employees receive their entry permit, they need to apply for a work visa at the consulate in their country of residence. The application process includes attending a personal interview with the consulate’s staff and paying all relevant application fees. Employees will also need to present certain documents, including:
- A valid passport
- 4 passport photos
- Notarized certification of the company’s intra-company transfer or an employer-signed employment contract
- Their birth certificate
- A marriage certificate or divorce decree, if applicable
- A certificate of good conduct
- An affidavit showing that they don’t have an international police record
- An official certified copy of degree certificate or professional credentials
Other important considerations
After arriving in Argentina, employees need to obtain a Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) at the National Registry of People, also known as the National Registry of Persons (RENAPER). This can be done in various provinces throughout Argentina.
Any spouses, parents, and children under 18 should apply for a visa as dependents and submit the paperwork at the same time as the employee. Lastly, employees must register with ANSES, Argentina’s social security fund, and apply for a Código Único de Identificación Laboral (CUIL), which is similar to a social security number.
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For this particular location, G-P may offer support in processing certain work visas and permits. Contact us today to assess your specific needs.