Address: Consulado Geral Americano, Avenida Colombia 4300, Buenos Aires, Argentina (mailing address).
Documents should be sent by an overnight delivery service.
Telephone: Consular Office telephone – (54)(1)777-4533 Consular Office fax – (54)(1)777-4576
Telephone inquiries are accepted by the NIV from 3 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and by the IV Section from 2 pm to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
* Non-Immigrant Visa Processing:
Applications are accepted in person daily between 8:00 and 10:00 am. Approved visas are generally issued between 4 pm and 4:30 pm the day after visa approval. With the exception of B-1/B-2 visas, physical presence is required for all applicants. B1/B2 visa applications can be submitted through a representative of the applicant. The post requires a supplemental E visa questionnaire with all E petitions (OF-156E). Present E visa petitions well in advance of desired travel date.
Misrepresentation of immigrant intent is the most serious fraud problem. It should also be noted that while there are no limits on reapplying for a nonimmigrant visa, the possibility of issuance after a recent denial without a change in circumstances is rare.
* Immigrant Visas:
The consulate only accepts inquiries and petitions between 9 am and 12 pm, Monday through Friday. Appointments for immigranr visas are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays. A visa will commonly be issued on the same day.
The processing time from receipt of a packet 3 until interview appointment varies. The processing time vaires depending upon the type of petition. The processing time for numerically controlled petitions with current priority dates is approximately 60 days. The processing time for non-numerically controlled petitions is 15 to 30 days.
The post will only process IV cases on the basis of a cable from INS in an emergency. It is strongly suggested that the Consulate be called prior to arranging to process an IV on the basis of a cable from INS . The Consulate does generate its own packet 3 upon receipt of a cable from INS.
* “Certificado de Antecedentes” (police record)
All applicants are required to obtain a “Certificado de Antecedentes” (police record) from the province where they resided. The provinces of Chubut, La Pampa and Misiones Y Salta do not issue police certificates and a certificate should be obtained from the Federal Police. Foreign permanent residents are also issued certificates. This certificate can be obtained abroad through the nearest Argentine consular office.
Applicants who have lived in the city or province of Buenos Aires must obtain a certificate from the Federal Police. Foreign permanent residents are also issued certificates.
If the applicant lived in several provinces, the Federal Police will issue a certificate covering all provinces.
* Medical Exams:
Applicants need to schedule appointments one to two weeks in advance of the immigration interview in order to have the results ready on a timely basis. Applicants should have their passports, Argentine DNI and the examination fee of $116 US or the equivalent, at the time of the medical exam. The doctors approved by the consulate to conduct immigrant petition medical exams are as follows:
Dr. Hector Cazenave, Clinica San Luis, San Martin De Tours 2980, Capital Federal, Tel: 801-8050.
Dr. Catalina Bobrow Gagneten, Araoz 2929, Ground Floor “2”, Capital Federal, Tel: 801-5172.
Dr. Jorge Middleton, Paraguay 783, 1st Floor “C”, Capital Federal, Tel: 311-3384.
Dr. Juan J. O’Farrell, J.E. Uriburu 1438, 1st Floor “A”, Capital Federal, Tel: 811-2759
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. The information provided in this article has not been updated since its original posting and you should not rely on it until you consult counsel to determine if the content is still valid. We keep older articles online because it helps in the understanding of the development of immigration law.