Planning a vacation to Buenos Aires, the breathtaking Iguazú Falls, or the glaciers of Patagonia? Securing an Argentina visa comes with two key rules that surprise most Indian travelers:
First, under an official bilateral agreement between India and Argentina, the standard consular tourist visa is completely FREE (₹0 visa fee). Second, if you already hold a valid US tourist visa (B1/B2), you are exempt from applying for an Argentine visa entirely and can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Here is the complete breakdown of official fees, exemption criteria, consular requirements, and the strict submission rules enforced by the Embassy and Consulate of Argentina in India.
Argentina Visa Fees for Indian Citizens: Quick Summary
| Visa Category / Route | Official Government Fee | Approximate Cost (INR) | Stay / Validity | Application Method |
| Consular Tourist Visa (Type T) | ₹0 (Gratis / Free) | ₹0 | Up to 90 days (Single/Multiple) | Embassy New Delhi / Consulate Mumbai |
| US Visa Waiver Route (Res. 353) | ₹0 (Exempt) | ₹0 | Up to 90 days | Direct entry with valid US B1/B2 visa |
| Business Visa (Short-Term / 5-Year) | ₹0 (Gratis / Free) | ₹0 | Up to 90 days per entry | Consular submission with RENURE invite |
| Electronic Travel Auth (AVE / ETA) | USD $200 | ~₹16,800 – ₹17,500 | Up to 90 days | Migraciones Online Portal |
| Student / Work Visa | USD $150 – $250+ | Variable | Long-term | Consular interview with DNM entry permit |
1. Is the Argentina Tourist Visa Really Free for Indians?
Yes. Under a reciprocal bilateral agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Argentine Republic, the Argentine government waives all consular visa processing fees for Indian citizens applying for:
- Tourist Visas (Type T)
- Business Visas (including the 5-year multiple-entry business visa)
- Transit Visas
Consular Fee vs. Ancillary Expenses
While the Embassy of Argentina will not charge you a single rupee for processing or stamping your sticker visa, keep in mind:
- Government Visa Fee: ₹0
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: You will still need to budget for document certification, bank attestation, Spanish translations for your cover letter/itinerary, and travel medical insurance.
2. Visa-Free Entry for Indians with a Valid US Visa (Resolution 353)
Under Argentine Resolution 353, Indian citizens holding ordinary passports can travel to Argentina without obtaining an Argentine visa, provided they satisfy the following criteria:
- Eligible US Visa: You must hold a valid, unexpired US B1/B2 tourist/business visa.
- Purpose of Travel: Strictly for tourism purposes only.
- Maximum Permitted Stay: Up to 90 consecutive days upon arrival.
- Border Verification: Present your valid Indian passport (with at least 6 months validity), active US visa, return flight tickets, confirmed hotel bookings, proof of sufficient funds, and travel health insurance at immigration control.
3. What About the Online Argentina AVE (ETA)?
Argentina operates an online Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE / Autorización de Viaje Electrónica) for select foreign nationals.
- The Fee: $200 USD (approx. ₹16,800 to ₹17,500) payable online via credit card.
- Why the Consular Route is Better for Most Indians: Because the consular tourist sticker visa is 100% free (₹0), paying $200 USD for the online AVE is an unnecessary expense for Indian travelers. Furthermore, since valid US B1/B2 visa holders qualify for direct visa-free entry, the paid AVE route is rarely required.
4. Strict Consular Application Rules: Blue Ink & Dossier Requirements
The Embassy of Argentina in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai adhere to strict documentation protocols. Failure to follow these rules will lead to the immediate return of your dossier:
The Strict “Blue Ink Only” Form Rule
- The official 3-page Visa Application Form must be printed and filled out completely BY HAND using a BLUE ballpoint pen.
- Applications filled out with black ink, typed digitally, or containing corrections/whitener are outright rejected.
- You must sign all pages in blue ink matching your passport signature.
Paper & Presentation Standards
- No Back-to-Back Printouts: All documents, including 6-month bank statements and flight reservations, must be printed single-sided. Double-sided (duplex) prints are not accepted.
- No Staples or Punch Holes: Documents must never be stapled or punched. Secure your papers using standard plastic/metal U-clips (paper clips) only.
- Spanish Translation: Your day-wise travel itinerary and formal employer NOC/leave letter must be accompanied by an accurate Spanish translation.
5. Step-by-Step Argentina Visa Application Process
Step 1: Identify Your Consular Jurisdiction
- Consulate General in Mumbai: Residents of Maharashtra.
- Embassy of Argentina in New Delhi: Residents of all other Indian states and union territories.
Step 2: Email Pre-Verification
Before booking an interview or visiting the consular section, you must scan your complete dossier into a single organized PDF and email it to the respective consular inbox:
- New Delhi Embassy:
visas_eindi@mrecic.gov.ar - Mumbai Consulate:
consular_cgmum@mrecic.gov.ar
Step 3: Attend the Personal Interview
Once the consular officers review and approve your scanned paperwork, they will email you a scheduled appointment date for your mandatory in-person interview. Bring your original passport and the un-stapled physical dossier.
Step 4: Passport Stamping & Collection
Since the visa fee is ₹0, no bank draft or cash counter payment is required during your appointment. Visa stamping is generally completed within 3 to 5 working days following a successful interview.
6. Mandatory Documents Checklist
- Original Indian Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended departure date, with at least 2 consecutive blank pages.
- Visa Application Form: 3 pages, handwritten in blue ink, single-sided, signed.
- Photographs: Two recent passport-size color photographs (4 x 4 cm or 3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background, 80% face coverage, no glasses).
- Cover Letter & Detailed Day-Wise Itinerary: Outlining cities visited, dates, internal transit, and translated into Spanish.
- Proof of Employment:
- Salaried: Leave sanction letter on company letterhead (translated into Spanish), last 3 months’ salary slips, and Form 16.
- Self-Employed / Business: Company registration certificate, partnership deed/MOA, and last 3 years’ Income Tax Returns (ITR).
- Financial Proof: Original bank statements for the last 6 months, stamped and signed by the bank manager on every single page (no back-to-back prints).
- Confirmed Travel Arrangements: Round-trip flight reservations and confirmed hotel bookings matching your itinerary dates.
- Travel Medical Insurance: International coverage including emergency medical evacuation and hospitalization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Argentina visa-free for Indian passport holders?
Argentina is visa-free for Indian citizens who hold a valid, active US B1/B2 tourist visa. Those without a qualifying US visa must obtain an Argentine consular sticker visa, which is granted free of visa charges (₹0).
How much are the visa fees for an Argentina tourist visa?
The official consular visa fee is ₹0 (Free) under a bilateral reciprocal agreement between India and Argentina.
Can I fill out the Argentina visa form online or on a computer?
No. The Embassy of Argentina strictly requires the application form to be printed out single-sided and filled out by hand using a blue ballpoint pen.
How long does it take to get an Argentina visa from India?
The entire process takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks, which includes the initial email document pre-verification period, appointment scheduling, and the final 3 to 5 working days for passport stamping after your in-person interview.
Schengen Visa Rejection Reasons
Schengen visa requirements for Indians
Minimum Bank Balance for Schengen Visa
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