Argentina – Requirements for Entering the Country Updated

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With Administrative Decision N° 63/2022 (1), the Argentinean government on 26 January 2022  announced that as of 29 January 2022, Argentineans and foreign residents who re-enter the country with a complete vaccination schedule against COVID-19 at least 14 days before entering the country, will be exempt from performing the diagnostic test (submitting a negative PCR test).¹

The measure will bring relief to employees and their family members as they will no longer need to isolate after entering the country when their vaccination schedule is complete.

Beyond this change, given current circumstances, there are other ongoing mitigation measures that will remain in place as leading practices.  For example, remote working for globally-mobile employees – apart from essential workers – to the extent possible, remains a prudent way for the time being for employers to foster the safety of their employees and help with business continuity.

Argentineans or residents who have an incomplete vaccination schedule or who are not vaccinated, in order to re-enter the country, must have a negative PCR test done in the country of origin within 72 hours prior to the start of their trip or an antigen test done in the country of origin within 48 hours prior to the start of the trip, and must comply with a seven-day isolation plan, counted from the day after taking the PCR test or antigen test once arrived in Argentina.

Additionally, foreigners with a complete vaccination schedule from neighboring countries, who had stayed in those countries for at least the last 14 days prior to entering Argentina, must have their vaccination schedule completed 14 days before entry and they will be exempt from quarantine.

Foreign national travelers will still need to comply with certain rules to be able to enter the country as tourists, such as:

• Negative PCR 72 hours prior to the start day of the trip.
• Sworn Declaration fulfilled at the National Immigration web page 48 hours prior to the start day of the trip.
• Complete vaccination schedule at least 14 days from the start day of the trip.
• COVID-19 health insurance with coverage for hospitalization, isolation and/ or medical transfer services for those who are positive for COVID-19, suspected of being positive, or who have had close contact with someone testing positive.

In the case of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 by clinical diagnosis or who have been in close contact with a person with symptoms, a medical discharge certificate issued more than 10 days from the date of onset of symptoms or date of close contact will be required, when entering the country within 90 days of the positive diagnosis.

Argentineans or residents who enter the country by private vehicle must prove a complete vaccination schedule and, if they have had COVID-19, they must have completed seven days of isolation from the date of onset of symptoms or the date of a laboratory diagnostic test sample collection. Entry in a passenger transport vehicle will be authorized only after 10 days of isolation from the onset of symptoms or the date of taking the laboratory diagnostic test sample.

As for travelers arriving by international cruises, a negative PCR diagnostic test will be needed done within 72 hours prior to the trip, regardless of the passenger’s nationality, along with the other requirements. 

Measures advising people to keep 1.5 meters apart, and to use mouth coverings / face-masks, are still in place to  help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and its strains.  (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2021-271, 3 November 2021.)  

Any individuals impacted by the travel restriction extension may wish to consult with their global-mobility advisers and immigration legal counsel as soon as possible for advice on next steps.

The KPMG International member firm in Argentina is tracking these matters closely.  We will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert posted on any important developments as and when they occur.

1  See Administrative Decision 63/2022 (Decisión Administrativa 63/2022), published (in Spanish) in the Boletín Oficial at: https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/256644/20220126 .

**Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Argentina.