Argentines are usually issued a multiple entry B1/B2 Business/Tourist visa valid for 10 years. The validity of the visa has no bearing on the length of stay. Each time you enter the US, the Immigration Officials at the port of entry will determine how long you may stay. If the amount of time given to you is not sufficient you may contact the nearest office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Apply for the extension well in advance. Approval or denial of the extension is at the discretion of the USCIS.

What if I enter on the visa waiver program and then decide I want to stay longer than the 90 days?

You CANNOT extend the time on the Waiver Program. The 90 days also include any time spent in Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands. Therefore, you cannot cross the border into these areas and then return for another 90 days. You can, however, ask for re-entry on the Waiver Program if you have left the continent.

Can I apply for a visa in Argentina if I am not an Argentine passport holder or a permanent resident in Argentina?

An applicant has the right to apply at any Consulate abroad. However, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa when applying outside one's own country of permanent residence. If you choose to apply in Argentina it is on the understanding that you may be refused, and the application fee is non-refundable if the visa is not issued. You are expected to demonstrate strong ties to your country that you plan to return to after your visit to the US. Therefore, applicants are advised to always apply in their own country of permanent residence if possible. The decision on the issuance of the visa will be made at the time of application.

I want to apply for a C1/D (or B1/B2) to work as crew on a plane/ship/yacht; what do I need?

A letter of employment on the company letterhead submitted with all other requirements outlined on the non-immigrant visa page are needed. The Consul will determine if you will be issued a C1/D crew or a B1/B2 business/tourist visa.

I was arrested/convicted years ago; can I apply for a visa?

Anyone arrested or convicted of a crime (regardless of how long ago) must apply for a visa. They cannot use the Visa Waiver Program. The applicant must submit details including court date, type of offence, and outcome. The port of entry and exit to/from the US and the expected dates are also required. This information is in addition to the usual requirements for the type of visa being applied for.

Is there an age limit for applying for a work visa?

No.

My DS-2019/I-20/I-20M form hasn't arrived from the US. Can I apply for the visa with a photocopy of the approval notice to work/study?

No, you must have the original documents to apply, and you must bring all pages of the form to the Consulate.

Can I present a copy of my I-797 approval notice for my work visa?

No, you must have the original I-797 notification of approval from the office of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The consulate CANNOT accept a faxed copy from the applicant, the employer, or the applicant's lawyer.

My company is sending me to the US office for training; do I need a visa?

The B1/B2 visa allows you to attend short, in-house training courses of less than 6 months. You should carry a letter with you on the company letterhead stating the purpose of the trip, the approximate length of stay, and that your salary will continue to be paid by the Argentine Company.

How long can I stay after my study or exchange visa expires?

On a study (F, M) or exchange (J) visa you may enter the US 60 days before the official start of the program, and you may stay 30 days after the official end of your program.

What if I want to stay as a tourist longer than the permitted 30 days after my J visa as a tourist?

You should apply for a tourist visa at the same time you apply for your J visa. If you are applying for both you will need two DS-156 application forms and two photos. You must pay two application fees at Banco de la Ciudad and attach a receipt to each DS-156. You must include all the other documentation required for the J visa. If you wish to remain longer than the 30 days after the end of your program you must contact the local office of United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and ask for a change of status from your J visa to your tourist visa. You should ask for this change in status about two months before the official end of your program. Alternatively, you should leave the US within the 30 days after the end of your program and re-enter on your tourist visa.

How long can I stay after the end of my working visa?

On the H, L, O, P, Q, and R you may enter the US 10 days before the official start of your work and, you may stay 10 days after the official end of your work.

Can I get a visa to do casual work?

No, there is no visa that covers casual work. You must have an employer sponsoring you as described in the working visa information page.

Can my relative in the US sponsor me?

Only your employer can sponsor you for work.

How do I apply for an athlete’s visa?

The P visa covers Athletes. Refer to the page entitled Artists, Athletes & Workers. The B2 tourist or Visa Waiver Pilot Program allows participation in contests as amateurs or for prize money only. If you are sponsored by a company in the US, and they are paying you sponsorship fees, you must have a P visa.

I have an indefinite visa, is it still valid?

Since February 1, 1995, "indefinite" validity visas have been valid for a maximum of ten years from the date of issuance. Consequently, if the visa in your passport is a B-1/B-2 visa valid for multiple applications "indefinitely" you may continue to use it for business and/or pleasure purposes for ten years from the date of issuance.

The United States Government no longer issues "indefinite" validity visas. The maximum validity of a B-1/B-2 visa is ten years. The ten year validity period applies regardless of the fact that the applicant may have previously held an "indefinite" visa.

Why was my B1/B2 "Indefinite" visa cancelled when I recently traveled to the United States?

Since February 1, 1995, indefinite validity visas have been considered valid for a maximum of ten years from the date of issuance. Consequently travelers may continue to use an indefinite validity visa for ten years from the date of issuance. Travelers who enter the United States with visas which are more than ten years old, will have the visa cancelled by the immigration officer. The visa is cancelled "without prejudice" and will not affect future travel to the United States. Before your next trip to the US, however, you will be required to either apply for a new B-1/B-2 visa or travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program if eligible.

Why, when I have always held an Indefinite visa, was I recently issued a B1/B2 visa valid for only ten years?

The US Government no longer issues indefinite validity visas. The maximum validity period of a B-1/B-2 visa is ten years. The ten year validity period applies regardless of the fact that the applicant may have previously held an indefinite visa.

For how long is a visa valid?

You may use your visa to travel to the United States until the date it expires, or if your visa says that it is valid "indefinitely", you may use it for ten years from the date of issuance.

Do Argentines need a 6 month validity passport to obtain a visa to the US?

Yes. It is the Consular Section's policy in Buenos Aires.

I have a visa in my old passport. Can I just transfer it to my new passport?

It is not possible to transfer a visa from one passport to another without making a new visa application. You should carry both passports when traveling to the US. Please note that the Embassy no longer issues visas valid indefinitely. If you are issued a new visa it will have a maximum validity of ten years.

My passport containing a valid visa has expired. I have obtained a new passport. Do I need a new visa?

If the passport in which your visa has been endorsed has expired, the visa in the old passport can still be used, provided that you also carry a valid passport of the same nationality. Note: If, when canceling your old passport, your national passport authority has clipped the corners of the passport, and, in so doing, has damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the United States.

My passport will expire soon; do I need to get a new passport or visa?

While visa regulations state that a passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of the holder's departure from the United States, the United States has an agreement with many countries (including Argentina) automatically extending the validity of a passport for six months past the passport's expiration date. The result is that an Argentine passport need remain valid only for the duration of the holder's stay in the United States. If you are traveling visa free and your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be admitted only until the date the passport expires. Note: Citizens of Andorra, Brunei, and San Marino, are not covered by this ruling and must be in possession of passports valid for at least six months from the date on which they depart the United States, regardless of their proposed length of stay.

How long can I stay in the United States?

The period of validity of a visa relates only to the length of time during which the holder may travel to the United States and apply for admission at a port of entry. It does not determine the length of stay which is a matter decided by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry. If, while you are in the United States, you find that you need to stay there longer than the period of time initially granted to you, you must contact the nearest office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for an extension of your stay. The USCIS has sole jurisdiction over such matters. It is not possible to extend your stay if you entered visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

If I have only a tourist visa, what sort of activities can I do in the United States?

B-2 visa is only valid for travel to the United States for a temporary visit for pleasure. This includes touring, visiting friends and relatives, visits for rest or medical treatment, participation on conventions, conferences or convocations of fraternal or social organizations, and participation by amatures - who will receive no renumeration - in musical, sports or similar events or contests. For a visit for business purposes you need a classification B-1 visa. To apply for such a visa follow the instructions on form DS-156. It may be possible for you to travel to the US without a visa if your trip is for less than 90 days and you meet all the conditions for Visa Free Travel.

I have a visa; do I also need a return ticket?

If you hold a visa of any classification, including a B-1/B-2 visa, you are not required to hold a return ticket; you may enter the United States on a one-way ticket. All travelers should carry with them for presentation to US officials, if required, evidence of funds sufficient for their visit and, with the exception of H and L visa holders, evidence that they have a residence abroad to which they intend to return at the end of their stay. Examples of such evidence include: traveler's checks; return tickets; copy of latest bank statement; letter from parents saying they will support you; and evidence of current employment; evidence of enrollment at an academic institution.

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