Not too long ago, I booked a great roundtrip fare between NY and Buenos Aires, Argentina, which included a full day in Rio De Janeiro on the return for only $386.22 (related post). Argentina requires US citizens to pay an entry fee of $160 (valid for 10 years); this fee used to be payable upon landing in the country, but there have been recent changes, meaning visitors must now prepay their entry fee prior to entering the country. In simple terms: If you do not prepay, you will be denied entry. Don’t be that fool.
I’m glad I came across this news on The Flight Deal (kudos to them for alerting us of the awesome TAM sale to begin with) earlier today because I will be visiting Argentina for the first time in April, and it will make my life a bit easier knowing that I can take care of my entry fee right from home.
Here are the new steps for pre-paying your Argentina entry fee:
- Complete the registration form and remit payment at  https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/
- Print out the receipt and keep it in a safe place prior to your travel to Argentina (I always keep my important travel documents in my passport cover sleeve).
- Present your receipt to the immigrations officer upon entering Argentina. Your barcode will be scanned and you’ll be good to go!
Let’s connect:Â 
Thanks for posting the procedure. I’m going in March — got that great $291 from Miami fare, and I booked it with an 8-hour stopover in Rio, so I could see another country. Do you know if Brazil now has an entry fee like that? (I know Chile does — I visited a not-so-little-anymore boy I sponsor in Valparaiso last year and had the surprise at the airport of needing to buy a $120 — I think it was — visa to exit. Ouch.)
Yay, awesome that you got a great deal! Yup, a brazilian visa is $140 and must be obtained before taking the trip. See these two references: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html#entry_requirements and http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/brazil-visa-requirements-for-us-citizens.6399/
This reminds me of a recent trip to Brazil where the guy in front of me in the boarding line was unaware he needed a visa to get into the country. It was rather amusing for us but I imagine he was not happy…
An interesting point: Brazil has a policy of reciprocity when it comes to immigration. What this means is that they do not set specific immigration rules, but simply apply whatever rules the home country of the visitor applies to brazilians. In short, the visa for americans to get into Brazil costs the same and takes the same amount of time/effort as the visa for brazilians to get into the US.
Flying in from Europe on a similar deal with TAM for 400 EUR,
But luckily, no visas,taxes nor fees for Argentina & Brazil on our end
For Brazil, I do know I will have to fill in a piece of paper, but that’s free of charge
@Kerry You need a Brazilian visa in advance to enter the country (if traveling on US passport). It cannot be issued on the same day (usually 1-2 weeks) and you must either go in person or use a travel agent to submit your application on your behalf. They do not accept applications by mail and will not mail your passport back to you. The fee is the same amount as the US charges Brazilians for a US visa, so it changes from time to time. EU nationals don’t need visas (Brazilians can also visit Schengen area visa free). Canadians pay $75 and most other nationals pay $20.
The last time I went to Argentina there was no such fee. The only reason Argentina (and other countries) are charging this fee is that the USA charges their citizens that much money for a visa. Tit for tat.
BO, thanks for the heads-up on this. I’m going in March, so better figure something out (no Brazilian embassy in Montana….)
Here is a list of my favorite restaurants in Buenos Aires in case someone wants to try.
Don Julio (in Palermo) – Argentine/meat
La Brigada (in San Telmo) – meat
La Cabrera (in Palermo) – meat
Cabaña (in Ricolleta) – meat
Cabana Las Lilas – meat
Parrilla La Dorita – meat
Parrilla Miranda – meat
Casa Cruz – top chef in Argentina
Tegui – (same owner as above)
Sucre – Argentine cuisine
Oviedo – Seafood/Mediterranean
Marcelo – Italian
Piegari – Italian
Il Matterello – best Italian in BA (in La Boca (go during lunch))
Bar Uriarte – Argentine/Italian cuisine
Juana M (in Retiro)
Freddo – ice cream
Persicco – ice cream
Volta – ice cream
Nonna Biana – ice cream
Valenti – Patio Bullrich – deli
@Santastico: Thank you SO much for that list. :)
Great info.Many Thanks for sharing..