If you’re considering studying in Argentina to access quality education at an affordable price, broaden your knowledge, or find a legal way to reside in the country without committing to an intensive program, you’ll likely need a student visa.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the Argentina student visa, including its purpose, eligibility, and key benefits.
Who Can Apply?
- Degree-seeking students enrolling in undergraduate or master’s programs who want a high-quality education at a lower cost.
- Individuals taking short-term, low-intensity courses, such as Spanish language, cooking, or tango classes.
Whether you’re pursuing a degree or looking to experience Argentina’s culture through education, the student visa offers a flexible pathway to meet your goals.
Student Visa: at a glance
| Who can apply? | Anyone enrolled in an immigration-approved academic program in Argentina (registered in the RENURE). |
| Processing time | 15-120 days |
| Decision Authority | Argentine Immigration Department |
| Main Requirements | Valid passport, clean criminal record, Argentine address certificate, and Enrollment certificate from an immigration-approved educational institution. |
| Physical Presence Requirement | 9 months per year to maintain residency. |
| Key Benefit | Provides legal status in Argentina, offering access to a wide range of educational opportunities tailored to different needs. |
Types of Student Visas in Argentina
There are two types of student visas:
1. Temporary Student Visa (Residencia Temporaria)
- For students enrolling in officially recognized programs such as undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
- Courses are taught in Spanish.
- Generally requires a minimum attendance of 3 days per week, 4 hours per day.
- Grants a DNI (National ID), which makes banking, healthcare, and some other bureaucratic processes easier.
Ideal for: Individuals with a good level of Spanish who have a genuine interest in studying in Argentina – whether to deepen their professional knowledge, practice their profession in the country, or explore a new field of study.
2. Transitory Student Visa (Residencia Transitoria)
- For study non-official short-term courses/careers like Spanish, tango, culinary arts, etc.
- More flexible language options.
- Lighter course load, with some programs requiring as little as one class per week.
- A straightforward process that requires minimal documentation compared to other types of residency.
- Does not grant a DNI (National ID), which may make some bureaucratic processes more complicated—but nothing that can’t be worked around with the right approach.
Ideal for: Individuals who prefer not to commit to time-intensive programs, whether to continue working remotely or to have more free time. The minimal documentation required also makes it an excellent option for those who want to avoid more complex visa application processes.
| Pro Tip: Before enrolling, confirm that your educational institution (official or not) is registered with the Registro único de requirentes de migraciones (RENURE), as only immigration approved institutions can sponsor student visas. |
How Long Does the Student Visa Last?
The Argentina student visa duration depends on your program:
- For programs shorter than one year, the visa covers the entire duration.
- For programs longer than one year, the visa is issued for one year at a time and must be renewed annually.
| Can You Change Schools and Keep Your Visa? It is recommended to enroll in programs lasting at least nine to twelve months at each school. Frequently switching institutions or enrolling in multiple short-term courses (e.g., every three months) may raise red flags with immigration authorities, as it could be seen as an attempt to maintain residency without genuine academic commitment. |
Argentina Student Visa Requirements
Basic Documentation
- Passport (translated and legalized if not in Spanish).
- Argentine Criminal Background Check.
- Apostilled Criminal Background Check from any country where you’ve lived for over a year in the last three years. (translated and legalized if not in Spanish).
- Police address certificate (Certificado de Domicilio).
Specific Documentation
For first-time applicants:
- Certificate of enrollment issued by a immigration approved educational institution.
For visa renewals:
- New certificate of enrollment.
- Academic transcript (for temporary visas, legalized by the Argentine Ministry of Education).
- Proof of regular student status (for temporary visas, legalized by the Argentine Ministry of Education).
Key Insight:
- Sometimes, renewals for transitory student visas don’t require transcripts or proof of regular student status, but having them ensures a smoother process.
- For temporary residence renewals, both documents are mandatory and must be submitted.
- The legalization of academic documents through the Argentine Ministry of Education is typically handled by the educational institution (In some cases, schools may delay or require reminders to complete the process. At certain institutions, students might even have to handle the legalization themselves)
Documents Required by Schools/ Universities
For transitory visas (non-official programs):
Only a valid passport and local address are usually required.
In some cases, additional requirements may apply, but they are generally straightforward.
For temporary visas (Official degree programs):
If you are pursuing an official degree, the process is more complex:
For Undergraduate Degrees
You must provide:
- Your high school diploma and transcript
- Documents must be apostilled, translated, and legalized by an Argentine-certified translator
- Revalidation by the Argentine Ministry of Education is required
The validation process is simple, but getting an appointment can be challenging. Find more info here
For Postgraduate Programs (Master’s, Specializations, Diplomas)
You must provide:
- Your university diploma and transcript
- Documents must be apostilled, translated, and legalized by an Argentine-certified translator
Unlike undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programs (98% of them) do not require revalidation by the Ministry of Education, making the process easier.
Financial Requirements
- No financial proof is needed if you are from a visa-exempt country.
- If you require a visa to enter Argentina, you must prove financial solvency. The required amount varies by consulate.
Not sure if you need a visa to enter Argentina? Click here
Argentina Student Visa Application Process
Step 1: Gather and Prepare Documentation
- Ensure all documents are apostilled, translated, and legalized if not in Spanish.
| Do not rush! Avoid translating your documents in your home country. All translations and legalizations must be done in Argentina to be valid for immigration and academic purposes. |
Step 2: Submit Documents Online & Pay Fees
- Upload scanned documents to the online immigration portal.
- Pay the application fee:
- Transitory student visa: ~ $30 USD.
- Temporary student visa: ~ $100 USD.
Estimated prices based on the exchange rate of the Argentine peso at the time of writing. Fees may vary.
- Once submitted, you will receive a precaria valid until your appointment.
| The “Precaria” is an official temporary document that allows you to stay legally in Argentina while Immigration authorities decide on your case. |
Step 3: Attend Immigration Appointment
- Bring all original documents.
- Your fingerprints and a photograph will be taken.
- You’ll receive a new official “Precaria” (valid for 2 to 3 months) while your visa application is being processed.
Step 4: Visa Decision & Additional Requests
- If approved, you receive your residency permit called “disposición de residencia”
- If additional documents are required, you’ll receive an intimación (official request) with strict deadlines.
- Processing times vary, with temporary student visas taking longer (1-4 months) than transitory ones (15-90 days)
Rights and Responsibilities
Work Permissions
- Temporary student visa holders can legally work for an Argentine employer.
- Transitory student visa holders cannot work for an Argentine employer. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t continue your remote job.
| Many digital nomads choose this option because these visas require minimal time commitment, allowing them to stay in Argentina while working remotely. |
Study Obligations
- Attendance is mandatory.
- Immigration authorities may check if you are actually attending classes.
- Educational institutions are required to report absenteeism to immigration authorities.
Healthcare Access
- Student visa holders can access both public and private healthcare, as well as the full right to purchase private health insurance.
Travel Restrictions
- You can travel abroad for up to three months without losing your visa status.
- University breaks typically allow one month in winter and two months in summer.
| It’s always a good idea to check with the university/ school about its absence policy as well as its vacation policy. |
Banking
- Both visa types allow you to open a bank account.
- Opening an account without a DNI (for transitory visa holders) is possible, but it´s a bit less straightforward
| It’s important to get the right advice on opening a bank account without a DNI—you might need a bit of help with this. |
Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
How to Convert to Permanent Residency
- After three years on a student visa, you can apply for permanent residency.
- This grants a DNI. While the residency does not expire, the DNI does—it must be renewed every 15 years.
| Although permanent residency does not need to be renewed, if you leave the country for more than two years and Immigration department takes notice, they may revoke your residency. |
Citizenship Eligibility Timeline
- After two years of legal residency, you can apply for Argentine citizenship.
- Citizenship is permanent, the passing of time will not affect it.
| Did you know? While three years of residency are required for permanent residency, current regulations allow you to start your citizenship process after just two years of residency. You can become an Argentine citizen first, if desired, without needing to apply for permanent residency. |
Common Challenges and Solutions
Document Preparation Issues
- Obtaining school documentation can be slow. The larger the institution, the harder it tends to be to get the necessary paperwork—though there are exceptions.
Solution?
Be persistent with the institution. If you’re handling the process through lawyers, a little pressure from them can be helpful.
High school diploma validation
(Only required for those applying for a temporary student visa for an undergraduate program.)
- Getting an appointment at the Ministry of Education for diploma validation can be challenging. They release very few slots for short periods of time, making it hard to secure one.
Pro tip:
Check for appointments at the beginning of the month in the early morning hours.
Processing Delays
- Transitory visas are often approved quickly, while temporary visas take longer. However, delays from the immigration department can occur—applications may get stuck, lost, or go unanswered.
Key takeaway:
Regular follow-ups with immigration authorities can speed up the process.
Language Barriers
- Degree and post-graduate programs require a high level of Spanish.
A little advice:
Many students start with a Spanish language student visa before enrolling in a full-degree program.
Conclusion
The Argentina student visa offers access to affordable, high-quality education in a vibrant cultural setting. It also provides an opportunity for those who wish to stay legally in the country without long-term commitments or heavy course loads.
Whether you’re enrolling in a short-term program or a full degree, understanding the visa process ensures a smooth transition into student life in Argentina.
If you’re ready to get started with your application, schedule your consultation here.
