Are there any recent reports of people that have overstayed before? A friend from the US just told me she was leaving from EZE and they told her passport was flagged for two overstays before. She paid the overstay fee twice before and was told it wasn't an issue or at least she read that online. But they told her when she was leaving customs areas her passport is flagged and she wouldn't be able to come back in for 6 months. Anyone else having issues like this????
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Legal Any risk to constantly overstaying on tourist visa? How many times can you do border runs in Argentina?
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This happened to me a few weeks ago.
I went to Colonia for the day and when I tried to come back, I had a stressful moment at Buquebus. A few years ago, I overstayed by about 30 days, and my passport is still flagged because of it. I paid the overstay fee.
I almost missed the ferry! I was literally the last person to board, just seconds before it departed. When I got to immigration, the officer looked at my passport and hesitated. Fortunately I suddenly recognized him and asked, “Do you work at EZE?” He said yes. I asked if he goes back and forth between the airport and Uruguay, and he said he does three days a week.
Then he told me he technically wasn’t supposed to let me through because exiting and re-entering would restart my 90-day period. He joked that next time I should bring him chocolates.
In the end, he let me through — but it was definitely a stressful moment. It sounds like they are cracking down on this. Even if you overstayed before and it doesn't matter where your passport is from.
Digital Nomad
Well-known member
I only have one friend still left in Ba. All the rest of them have left because it got too expensive. My friend Cal had the same story. He overstayed twice in the past 2 years. He wasn't doing border runs but he was taking a trip to Uruguay for vacation and they refused to let him on the boat. They said the same thing that his passport was flagged for overstaying 2 times. He is trying to get a digital nomad visa instead to get back in. But there is a lot of paperwork and it is over a month and he still doesn't have it. All his stuff is stuck in BA. They definitely have gotten strict about this.
I heard the same thing. Finally they are cracking down on overstays. What sucks is my friend that was legitimately trying to get legal residency was told that with all the overstays from before it will make it harder for him to get residency. I'm not sure if that is true or not?
That would seriously suck to not get legal here. I know a lot of expats are scrambling now finally talking to immigration attorneys after living here illegally for years overstaying.
My best friend in Istanbul just got deported at the airport. He overstayed and got deported without warning. Looks like Milei is going in the same direction. I thought this would only be for poorer countries but it looks like it doesn't matter where you are from.
I thought they were just trying to scare people but it sounds like they are finally playing hardball. There isn't any reason not to get legal. It isn't that difficult here.
GlasgowJohn
Well-known member
OK , it seems like Argentina is finally applying the laws.
Perhaps many should think what would happen if a non US citizen overstayed in the USA.
THEY WOULD NOT GET A VISA....
Why should Argentina be any different?
Perhaps many should think what would happen if a non US citizen overstayed in the USA.
THEY WOULD NOT GET A VISA....
Why should Argentina be any different?
lemonade
Well-known member
Same laws should apply. What is funny is I was speaking to an American the other day in Recoleta and they were very pro Trump and what he is doing kicking out illegals in the US. Then I asked if she finally got her visa to live here and she was still doing border runs. I was going to say something but hid to bite my lip! The hypocrisy of it all. I don't think Americans or anyone else staying illegally should be able to live somewhere.
That cracks me up. I have run into the same thing where some Americans talk all tough on illegal immigrants in the U.S. and then find out they have been living in Argentina overstaying for years and years. Morons.
Is it better to extend a 90 day visa now? I keep hearing different things. We contacted an attorney and he said that in the past it was better to just overstay and pay a fee instead of border runs. I explained I could easily just pay a fee to extend it 90 more days. His advice to just overstay and worry about it later didn't seem like good advice. Would you all rather just pay to extend it 90 days more?
At some point I may want to get legal residency here so I didn't want to break any laws. Thanks.
At some point I may want to get legal residency here so I didn't want to break any laws. Thanks.
lemonade
Well-known member
It's better now not to break any laws. Especially if you want to get legal in the future. A lawyer told me that both overstaying and doing border runs constantly were both illegal. I don't think one time going over to Uruguay would hurt but I think it's more an issue when you are doing it over and over again.
You can easily just legally extend it. There is a post on this forum about that and where to go. It's clear this government is cracking down so why wouldn't you just extend it legally? It's super cheap.
Betsy Ross
Well-known member
Totally. It is not too difficult to get residency here. Especially compared to the US.
I think it would be silly not to just extend it. Especially considering you want to possibly do it legally in the future. They are going to look at breaking the laws as a strike against you. It's cheap and easy to extend.
I saw another thread about over staying your tourist visa. I along with many of my friends have over stayed many times or did border runs. I never had any issues. You can read this great website with tons of information and addresses.
inlovelyblue.com
Extending A Tourist Visa In Argentina – In Lovely Blue
inlovelyblue.com
Uncle Wong
Well-known member
Most of the immigration attorneys in Buenos Aires some like dolts. Terrible advice.
Crossfit Junkie
Active member
They are terrible for the most part.
Not even an option these days. Definitely just pay to extend. That is staying legal and it only costs like $25 USD. Easy option to stay legal.
Betsy Ross
Well-known member
I just spoke to a friend via WhatsApp yesterday. She has been living in Buenos Aires on and off for 5 years now. Only on a tourist visa. She had been paying the fine and doing a few trips before that. She left for the US to go to a funeral and she just got back to EZE last week and they refused to let her in. She got a warning a few months ago that she had to get legal. I told her to contact an immigration attorney but she didn't start the process. She had to take the next flight back to the US. She didn't get allowed in. Beware to get legal if you aren't already. Things are changing.
This is my worst nightmare. Having all my things here in my apartment. What can be done? Can an attorney help in that situation?
earlyretirement
Moderator
It would be wise to talk to an immigration attorney to assess your personal situation. I never understood people that want to live long term in a country illegally. I can understand if someone is on the fence and deciding to move to Argentina but permanent-tourists that have been living here for years and years and not taken the time to get legal have no sympathy from me.
Avocado
Well-known member
Good deport all illegals from my country.
I can't understand anyone that would be here long term and not make an effort to get legal. They only have themselves to blame. I can't imagine having a house here and getting denied. Not sure what I'd do.
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