Help making an appointment at the USA Embassy in Buenos Aires

[Don W]

Help! I am trying to make an appointment with a counselor in the Social Security department at the USA Embassy in Buenos Aires. I didn't get my payment this month and need to get it sorted out immediately. Dealing with the USA Embassy by phone has been impossible. No one picks up the phone. If I go there in person can I be seen? Someone told me I can't go there without an appointment but wasn't sure. That seems impossible that they wouldn't allow American citizens to come there?

 

[lemonade]

I have heard nothing but bad things with the Embassy in BA besides passport renewals.

 

[Betsy Ross]

Remember the US government is in a shutdown right now which probably is not helping at all. The US Embassy here in BA has been understaffed since I have lived here. I met an American woman working there about 5 years ago and she was complaining saying everyone was overworked there. I didn't know if that was really the case or she was like locals complaining about work.

I do know you have to do everything by emails so just showing up there I don't think they will let you in. It's by appointments only. Over 1000 State Department employees gone laid off this summer that worked in the foreign services department. Government shutdown can't help right now.

 

[Wally]

Try this. I saw this online.

Try sending an email to FBU.Argentina@ssa.gov using as the subject: FEQ-country where you live- your last name, record under which you receive benefits (sample: FEQ-Argentina-Doe) and add the following information:

• Complete name of the beneficiary that did not receive the monthly payment.
• Last 4 digits of the SSN under which benefits are paid
• Two phone numbers
• Address
• Reason for the email: Non receipt of monthly benefit

Wait for a response within 5 business days

 

[Finance Prof]

I would forget about trying to get ahold of anyone at the US Embassy in BA over telephone. They are worthless. As Betsy said with the shutdown probably worse. Your best bet is to just suck it up and wait on hold calling the USA vs trying through US Embassy in BA. It might take you a few hours but best way to solve it. That is what a friend recently had to do.

 

[Uncle Wong]

I would forget about trying to get ahold of anyone at the US Embassy in BA over telephone. They are worthless. As Betsy said with the shutdown probably worse. Your best bet is to just suck it up and wait on hold calling the USA vs trying through US Embassy in BA. It might take you a few hours but best way to solve it. That is what a friend recently had to do.

I ran into an American that said the same thing that the US embassy in BA was all but worthless except dealing with emergency passports. Sad.

 

[Don W]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up just calling the Social Security Administration in the United States. You were right I did have to wait 2 hours and 20 minutes but just kept it on hold while doing some other work. They ended up fixing it. It takes a while but they did answer. The USA Embassy in BA seems to be worthless for anything.

 

[ElQueso]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up just calling the Social Security Administration in the United States. You were right I did have to wait 2 hours and 20 minutes but just kept it on hold while doing some other work. They ended up fixing it. It takes a while but they did answer. The USA Embassy in BA seems to be worthless for anything.

Glad you solved what you needed. I was gonna mention to just call the US #. Embassy here has been a disappointment for years. Forget trying to call them or just showing up. It's all by emails and service seems to get slower and worse each year.

 

[Ron]

Hi! I understand how frustrating this is. I found some information that might be helpful for you:

• Appointments are required:
  
  • For almost all services at the Embassy, you must schedule an appointment in advance. They generally do not see people without a prior appointment, even U.S. citizens.
  • This includes Social Security, passports, and visa services.
• Contact options:
  
  • Phone lines are often busy, which is why many people can’t get through.
  • The Embassy recommends using their online contact forms or appointment system. For Social Security issues, it’s best to email them using the official contact form: https://ar.usembassy.gov/visas/
• In-person visits:
  
  • Normally, you cannot just show up without an appointment for security reasons.
  • Only extreme emergencies might be considered, but you would need to coordinate these in advance via email or phone.
• Alternatives for Social Security payments:
  
  • If your payment hasn’t arrived, you can also try contacting the U.S. Social Security Administration directly from Argentina:
    
    • Phone: +1 800-772-1213
    • Online portal: https://www.ssa.gov/

 

[ben]

Hi! I understand how frustrating this is. I found some information that might be helpful for you:

• Appointments are required:
  • For almost all services at the Embassy, you must schedule an appointment in advance. They generally do not see people without a prior appointment, even U.S. citizens.
  • This includes Social Security, passports, and visa services.
• Contact options:
  • Phone lines are often busy, which is why many people can’t get through.
  • The Embassy recommends using their online contact forms or appointment system. For Social Security issues, it’s best to email them using the official contact form: https://ar.usembassy.gov/visas/
• In-person visits:
  • Normally, you cannot just show up without an appointment for security reasons.
  • Only extreme emergencies might be considered, but you would need to coordinate these in advance via email or phone.
• Alternatives for Social Security payments:
  • If your payment hasn’t arrived, you can also try contacting the U.S. Social Security Administration directly from Argentina:
    • Phone: +1 800-772-1213
    • Online portal: https://www.ssa.gov/

Thanks for posting this. I can tell you forget about phone calls there. It is by emails only. The US embassy in BA has always been terrible for the most part.