Hello all. I’m an American currently living in Buenos Aires. I recently married my Argentine wife and am in the process of applying for residency. This is a bit embarrassing but...
I have a question for anyone who has gone through the residency process recently in the past year since Milei has gotten tougher. Has anyone had a non-serious delinquent arrest record appear on their FBI background check and still successfully received approval for residency or a visa?
A few months ago, I briefly spoke with someone at immigration who told me that you cannot have anything on your background check or your application will be rejected. Since then, I’ve had a few minor charges expunged at the State level where I got arrested. However, my understanding is that even expunged charges may still appear on an FBI background check. What is your experience?
I’m wondering if anyone has personal experience with this situation, or if you can recommend an immigration lawyer who specifically has experience dealing with background check issues like this. I can’t imagine I’m the only American applying for residency with something minor on their record. I was young and dumb and I don't consider these serious but I do have 3 arrests on my record. When speaking to migraciones they told me it wasn't likely that I would get approved. She said even one arrest was not easy these days let alone 3.
From what I’ve heard, the process may have become stricter after the decree issued in May 2025. If anyone has insight into how things are being handled now, I would really appreciate it.
This has been a very long and stressful process. I’ve been exiting and re-entering the country every three months to remain in legal status while I wait, and I’m honestly worried about going through all of this effort for nothing. I’ve consulted with a few immigration lawyers here in Argentina, but so far I haven’t received clear guidance. They all say something different. One told me that I would have problems just doing border runs and told me it was better to overstay and pay a fee but others told me that overstaying now will put me in jeopardy.
Any advice or shared experiences would mean a lot. Thank you.
I have a question for anyone who has gone through the residency process recently in the past year since Milei has gotten tougher. Has anyone had a non-serious delinquent arrest record appear on their FBI background check and still successfully received approval for residency or a visa?
A few months ago, I briefly spoke with someone at immigration who told me that you cannot have anything on your background check or your application will be rejected. Since then, I’ve had a few minor charges expunged at the State level where I got arrested. However, my understanding is that even expunged charges may still appear on an FBI background check. What is your experience?
I’m wondering if anyone has personal experience with this situation, or if you can recommend an immigration lawyer who specifically has experience dealing with background check issues like this. I can’t imagine I’m the only American applying for residency with something minor on their record. I was young and dumb and I don't consider these serious but I do have 3 arrests on my record. When speaking to migraciones they told me it wasn't likely that I would get approved. She said even one arrest was not easy these days let alone 3.
From what I’ve heard, the process may have become stricter after the decree issued in May 2025. If anyone has insight into how things are being handled now, I would really appreciate it.
This has been a very long and stressful process. I’ve been exiting and re-entering the country every three months to remain in legal status while I wait, and I’m honestly worried about going through all of this effort for nothing. I’ve consulted with a few immigration lawyers here in Argentina, but so far I haven’t received clear guidance. They all say something different. One told me that I would have problems just doing border runs and told me it was better to overstay and pay a fee but others told me that overstaying now will put me in jeopardy.
Any advice or shared experiences would mean a lot. Thank you.
