New visitor and immigration legislation
announced for Argentina
From Workpermit.com10 October
2008
Effective 01 January 2009, Argentina will
implement new fees and new immigration rules for foreign visitors. During a
press conference, Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo announced a new fee that
will apply to visitors who wish to come into the country -- however, the fee
will only apply to visitors from countries that charge fees to Argentines coming
into their countries.
Effectively, citizens of western countries --
such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are being targeted. In all, 22 countries will be
affected. "This is an act of justice," Randazzo said, noting the fees will apply
to tourists and immigrants. The fee is reciprocal; it is not restrictive in
nature, not at all.
The introduction of reciprocal visa charges
means that the cost of a visa for foreigners wishing to enter Argentina will be
approximately the same as that charged to Argentines applying for a comparable
visa. Thus, for U.S. visitors, the current fee is intended to be set at about
USD $134.
The rules change does not mean visitors will
have to actually apply for a visa. Once the charge is paid, it covers the visitor for
re-entry for a 10 year period.
New law
Substantial portions of Argentina's current
immigration and visitor regulations date back to the military dictatorship that
ran the country from 1976 to 1983. Randazzo characterized the new rules -- which
are to be announced in "the near future" -- as being based upon "the premise
that Argentina should have never lost sight of its role regarding immigration."
He added that "Argentina grew and developed on
the strength of immigration."
The new law, No. 25871, will replace the
current legislation. The regulations were drawn up with the help of several
respected international organizations, including the United Nations' High
Commission for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration and the
Permanent Assembly for Human Rights.
Randazzo continued: "[the law] will allow [the
government] to raise funds for the modernization of border passes across the
country." Estimates are that the new fees will generate approximately 40 million
dollars annually.
'unfair situation'
Randazzo also made reference to the recent
tightening of immigration legislation in Europe. He said that Argentina's implementation of this new law would encourage immigration
at a time when the world is showing an increasingly negative attitude toward
migration. He characterized the legislation and policy shift as placing his
country "on the forefront of migratory policies."
Some of Argentina's neighboring countries --
such as Chile, Bolivia and Brazil -- already have made similar policy shifts.
Randazzo pointed out what he said is the 'unfair situation' where "Argentine
citizens visiting the United Sates must pay a visa fee of $134 USD, while U.S. citizens
visiting Argentina may enter the country for 90 days free of charge."
In the Argentine economy, $134 USD is a more
difficult expense for citizens to pay than it is for citizens of more
westernized economies.
According to Randazzo, the decision to develop
and implement the new law was reached by "considerable consensus." The
legislation has been in negotiation and development for "more than four years."
The 'cornerstone' of the policy shift, as
described by Randazzo, is "Equal requirements for all, regardless of country of
origin." Randazzo stated that the new law amounts to "returning to the concept
of welcoming [foreigners] with arms open wide, the same spirit our grandparents
were received with."
Source:
http://www.workpermit.com/news/2008-10-10/argentina/immigration-tourist-visitor-fees-new-law.htm?newsletter=visitor
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