Subscribe to our RSS FeedUPDATE: As of June 4, 2010, the Argentina entrance fee has increased from U$S 131 to U$S 140 in reciprocity for the US increasing their visa fee.
In October 2008, we reported that Argentina was planning to charge a reciprocal fee to tourists entering from countries that charge its citizens a visa or entrance fee. Well, that plan was put on indefinite hold — until now that is.
According to the Argentina Immigration web site, the new fees are imminent. The following file was posted there today:
The new fees seem to apply only to Americans (US $131), Canadians (US $70), and Australians (US $100). For Canadians, the fee is listed as a single entry, which would imply that Americans and Australians get multiple entries.
Of course, in true Argentine style, details are still sparse at this time. When the new fee goes into effect has not yet been specified. Also, if multiple entries are permitted, how long those entries are good for has not yet been specified either. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more. (UPDATE below.)
The original Argentine immigration article (english) on the reciprocal fee was published February 1, 2009, and mentioned that that the fee will only be charged at the Ezeiza airport, so that should mean that those ferry trips many expats make to Colonia will not cost more. We especially love how they specifically call it the “eye for an eye” fee rate and express their wishes that Argentina will be added to the list of countries that are granted a visa waiver from the US.
So, does this change your travel plans?
UPDATE: The US Embassy just published an advisory noting this new fee goes into effect December 20, 2009 and once paid is valid for 10 years:
Airport Entry Fee
December 11, 2009This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars. The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity. Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks.
U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the U.S. for the latest travel information. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444. For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at 4300 Avenida Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires;
telephone+54-11-5777-4354; after hours emergency telephone +54-11-5777-4873; ACS unit fax +54-11-5777-4293; e-mail BuenosAires-ACS@state.gov; web page http://argentina.usembassy.gov.Americans living or traveling in Argentina are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Argentina. Americans without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
This email is UNCLASSIFIED.
Thankfully this update was unclassified and we could all get the news. 
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12 responses so far ↓
1 buenosaireslife // Dec 11, 2009 at 3:53 pm
BLOGS: Argentina Entrance Fee To Go Into Effect. Americans, Canadians & Australians to be charged reciprocal fee. http://j.mp/7N230Z #BsAs
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
2 sallycatway // Dec 12, 2009 at 8:25 am
New ‘entry request fee’ for Argentina doesn’t seem to affect the Brits: http://bit.ly/4OtirN
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
3 Buenos Aires rent // Dec 27, 2009 at 10:36 am
I knew they were looking forward to applying this fee before, seems that the times have come. It's important to say again that this is not a visa, just a fee.
4 Bill from CT // Dec 28, 2009 at 12:48 am
While $131 dollars is not a huge amount of money in terms of the total cost of a trip to Argentina it can be costly for large families and those people visiting Argentina on a budget. While it won't be killing the goose that laid the golden egg I do think it will reduce US tourism and cost the Argentine economy more than the money it is intended to raise. Not a smart idea in this economy. Airfares to Argentina remain high. The increases in hotel, dining and related costs which skyrocketed a few years ago have not significantly come down. Buenos Aires is not the bargain destination it once was and this fee is another straw on the camels back.
5 DaVe // Dec 28, 2009 at 6:18 pm
why are comments not showing up?
6 Bill // Dec 28, 2009 at 6:19 pm
While $131 dollars is not a huge amount of money in terms of the total cost of a trip to Argentina it can be costly for large families and those people visiting Argentina on a budget. While it won't be killing the goose that laid the golden egg I do think it will reduce US tourism and cost the Argentine economy more than the money it is intended to raise. Not a smart idea in this economy. Airfares to Argentina remain high. The increases in hotel, dining and related costs which skyrocketed a few years ago have not significantly come down. Buenos Aires is not the bargain destination it once was and this fee is another straw on the camels back.
7 Matt // Jan 31, 2010 at 8:07 am
Argentina can suck it. I'm going to give them monopoly money.
8 Argentina’s Proposed Tourist Entry Fee Postponed Indefinitely | Discover Buenos Aires // Feb 10, 2010 at 1:33 pm
[...] UPDATE: The fee has gone into effect. Please check out my newer post on Argentina’s new entrance fee. [...]
9 NotEZE // May 1, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Yep, just cancelled a trip to BA based entirely on this fee… I understand it, but am not willing to pay it.
10 Bo619 // May 23, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I was planing on going to BA in November……..not going now…..that is my "eye for an eye"……..lets see……hmmmm….prolly would have spent about $1500 over there…..
11 Argentina Entrance Fee Increased | Discover Buenos Aires // Jun 11, 2010 at 4:59 am
[...] the Argentina entrance fee is a reciprocal fee to what the US charges Argentine citizens, it also increased by $9 to U$S 140 [...]
12 gaucho // Jun 18, 2010 at 5:42 am
entering now via Montevideo, sucka pucks
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