Alright, let’s walk through how I got my Argentina tourist visa last month. Was smoother than I expected honestly, but only ’cause I messed up a couple things first. Here’s exactly what I did:
Step 1: Checkin’ Requirements
First thing – dug around Argentina’s official visa site. Most people don’t realize you gotta check exactly where you live matters. Like, my buddy in Miami had different rules than me in Chicago. Printed out the checklist they had – passport, bank stuff, flight plans, the whole deal.
Step 2: Picture Drama
Went to Walgreens for passport photos like a rookie mistake. They gave me US-sized photos but Argentina needs bigger ones – 4×4 cm not 2×2. Had to redo them twice! Finally found a sketchy photo shop downtown that got it right.
Step 3: Bank Statement Panic
Thought I was smart printing 3 months of bank statements. Consulate lady straight up laughed – “No no, we need last 6 months!” Ran home panicking to print more pages. Pro tip: bring way more than you think you need.
Step 4: Online Form Headaches
That dang application form took 2 hours! Questions like “list every country visited since 2015” had me digging through old Instagram posts to remember. Massive warning – hit “submit” too early and my session expired. Had to restart everything. Nearly threw my laptop.
Step 5: Embassy Day Madness
Showed up 15 minutes early? Still got yelled at by security for being “late”. Waited 2 hours in a tiny room with:
- My huge folder of documents
- Printed flight itinerary (even though I hadn’t bought tickets yet)
- Hotel booking confirmations
Officer barely glanced at my paperwork, took fingerprints, and said “we’ll email you”.
Step 6: The Wait
Took exactly 12 business days. Stalked my email like crazy. Finally got the approval with zero fanfare – just a PDF saying “come get your passport”. Ran back to the consulate next morning. Sticker looks kinda cheap honestly, but hey – it worked!
Biggest lesson? Assume their website info is 10% wrong. Bring triple copies and arrive stupid early. Took me 3 weeks total but could’ve been faster without my photo screwup. Worth it though – had steak in Buenos Aires last week!
