This one definitely falls into the boring-but-important category, and if you are a UK passport holder then you’re lucky enough to not need to read this.
If however you hold a US, Canadian or Australian passport then please get yourself a strong coffee and read on…
First and foremost this is a payment that MUST be made PRIOR to arriving in Argentina.
The lack of such proof of payment will generate the denial of entry of the passenger and consequent returning to their departure city by the airline. We strongly urge passengers to take the necessary precautions so that those passengers who travel to the mentioned airports with a scheduled arrival starting on November 1st, 2012 (Jorge Newbery) and December 29th, 2012 (Ezeiza) have the electronic receipt with them.
The National Immigration Agency has changed the method by which tourists and business visitors from the US, Canada, and Australia will be required to pay in order to gain visa entry to Argentina. The reciprocity fee will shortly no longer be payable at the airport upon arrival. Instead the payment must be carried out online, prior to arrival, using the credit card based Provincia Payment System.
How do I make payment?
1. Sign up here https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/Registro.aspx. You’ll need your passport number. You’ll also be asked to create a password which you’ll need for….
2. Go to bottom left of this page to login: https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/. This is where you’ll enter your credit card details and make payment.
3. Print the payment receipt, and present it to Immigration Control on arrival in Argentina
When does this take effect?
The system will be effective as of 31st October 2012 for flights to Aeroparque and 28th December 2012 for Ezeiza International Airport. A press release clearly states that “after these dates cash payments will not be accepted at the airport”.
The change in payment method follows a decision to increase the fee for US citizens from US$140 to US$160, which came into effect in April of this year.
What if I’m entering Argentina by land or sea?
This fee is ONLY payable for international air arrival at the two Buenos Aires airports (Aeroparque and Ezeiza)for Canadians , Australians and Americans. It does NOT apply for international arrival by air at any other airport (such as Mendoza, Cordoba or Salta), and NOT to arrival by land, road or sea. Also it does not apply to any other nationalities.
How much is the feee?
Australians: get multiple entries for their $US 100 fee, but it only lasts one year from the first entry after payment, after which you need to pay again.
Canadians: get a single entry for their $US 75 fee.
Americans: get multiple entries for 10 years (transferable to a new passport if you show your old one) for their $US 160.
