immigration question

Welcome to the forum @micky787

I know very little about the pensioners' visa for Argentina having moved here in 2005 under different circumstances. However, have you looked at this Argentine government website?

Obtener una residencia temporaria como pensionado

Regulado en el artículo 23 inciso c) de la Ley N° 25.871, reglamentada por el Decreto N° 616/2010 y Disposición DNM 1.732/2023 modificada por Disposición…

www.argentina.gob.ar

As I'm a fully legit permanent resident in Argentina I'm not really au fait with what you wish to know. I get my UK pension paid into my dollar bank account here every month. I do have to prove the payment is legit before they releae it into my account though. All straightforward and simple as long as you have the necessary paperwork to show them.

Most foreigners here seem to use the likes of Western Union to have money transferred from abroad. Others can give you advice about that as I've never used it.

Hi @micky787 , welcome to the forum.

Most of the resident expats on this forum have Argentine partners and may not be able to answer your query.

Just in case you havent been here for a while , Argentina has turned into a fairly expensive destination.

The exchange rate has been stable for a few months now and Inflation is stil around 35-40% , so your USD or your GBP dont go as far nowadays.

Make sure you can live here on your retired income before you make the big move.

Like Splinter said, we are all here because of an Argentine partner/spouse, so we didn't come through a retirement visa or other visa that required to provide self-supporting means.

In my experience, whenever a visa is issued based on a certain passive income, it has to be new money (not funds deposited sitting in a bank, no matter if the bank is in Switzerland, the Caymans or Brunei) and it has to be passive. i.e. investments or pensions/retirements.

It can't be something simpler like rent from a property you own abroad, unless you thread it a bit (i.e. you set up a company for your rental(s), you get paid dividends = passive income from the company).

However, Argentina is known for finding a way... when there is a lawyer in between, and money. I don't think any government will provide individual advice on how to circumvent their passive income requirement.

GlasgowJohn 's advice is spot on. I don't think $1200 will go very far, even if you live in a smaller city.

Unless you really want to live in that city and don't mind curbing your life quality and expectations here. One thing most people do not consider enough, is that when you go live abroad you have to face important issues in a difference language and legal framework. I am still stressed and pissed at some stuff after over a decade here and speaking the language. If you come with zero connections/help and zero Spanish knowledge, I am not sure how long you will be happy. Stay for long a while as a tourist and test how it would be living like a local vs. doing touristy stuff.

When the lower services/quality of life was cheap, the tradeoff lured many expats. Now that it is as expensive as Europe or the US, with the same lower quality/services, many are leaving.

Quote from micky787

Hi all thanks for the answers im aware of police clearance requirements all thats no problem also costs as i was there within last 6 months it is stabalising the ex rate not so sure about inflation but with whats happening world wide no doubt lots of things will go tts up.....basically one of requirements on the pensionado visa is a retirement income statement from dwp or other pension fund or rental income or investments statement stating you have over $2000 incoming every month .....what i would like to know is it ok to have say 500k in a swiss account and me transferring $ 2000 to argentine bank acc for living expenses every month is it acceptable as opposed to having dwp /proof of investments/rental income proof etc this is the question ive posed to consulates but have not found answer to on forums also cant really put it any simpler than that the rest of requirements i can meet health ins etc cheers mike

Yes can transfer funds from a foreign account to your dollar bank account here. You will be charged for doing it though and could be asked to prove it's not dodgy money. However without permanent residency/DNI I don't think you'll be able to open a bank account here.

An Argentine accountant could advise you about transferring from accounts outside the country, which may also depend on residency status, DNI etc...

Most people I know, transfer $$ between friends due to the red tape and costs involved when doing it through a bank, fyi.

@micky787 as you can see, banks are a pain , even for those of us , who have been here for a while

From the UK , Western Union works quite well.

Right now it's paying 1977 pesos for the GBP.

Cash pick up is easy in the capital and delivery direct to your bank account, if you have one, is possible as well.

You should ask your Visa questions to the Argentina embassy in the country where you currently reside. Talk to an Argentina accountant about the Wealth tax you will need to pay annually, once residence is obtained, based on the balance of your Swiss account which you mentioned to use as proof of self-sufficiency for obtaining the Visa. Or maybe follow serafina advice, plus your countries professional financial experts, to create a passive income stream. I'm not experienced to give opinion on any of these concepts.

Bank accounts are are easy to open in Argentina to keep dollars without monthly fees or the need to convert to pesos until needed for spending. Once you give the bank the local accountants statement of your origin of funds. As a non-resident tourist, get a CDI to open the account. Especially if you mention plans to purchase a car or property, which is also perfectly fine for a tourist who visits often. Though will have fees to SWIFT transfer (using non-resident Codigo de concepto), but once you get your temporary residence and a DNI with the Visa, the bank will not use the same Código so international transfers are free.

Argentina - Individual - Other taxes

Detailed description of other taxes impacting individuals in Argentina

taxsummaries.pwc.com

I follow an online financial wealth advisor and he praises Paraguay as a low cost (15,000 USD) country where to establish residence for tax purposes and an easy to get citizenship. He speaks to millionaires, although I am not sure how many millionaires takes advice from a reel in Instagram.

I have seen mentioned Paraguay for tax purposes also by an Argentinian accountant on the internet. His reel was for freelancers in Latin America working remotely for companies abroad and making considerable money. He also suggested residency in Paraguay, as there is no tax on foreign income. However, there is a physical residency requirement to maintain it, i.e. most of the year must be spent in Paraguay.

Not your case @micky787, but food for thoughts if you want to throw in Paraguay in the mix.

Quote from serafina

but food for thoughts if you want to throw in Paraguay in the mix.

Anyone here ever been to Paraguay? Can't say I've ever thought on going there for a visit nevermind to live. At least Argentina has a WOW factor to it. Most Scottish folk I know wouldn't have a clue where Paraguay is.

We crossed the border in 2013 during a vacation to Iguazú falls. We went to Ciudad del Este as it was considered the capital of shopping across the border with cheap electronics. However, back then we still lived in Europe and prices didn't seem impressive to us. They were for Argentinians, though.

While on the taxi, crossing the bridge over the river, many people by foot were carrying good in big plastic bags, some even pushed a cart for larger goods. It seemed a move by foot... dresses, blankets, fridges, washing machines.... They were mules bringin goods to Argentina.

About Ciudad del Este, it seemed dirty and dangerous, like a backstreet in New Delhi. The taxi left us at a side entrance of a popular mall.

My first visit to Paraguay was in 1985!

I still go about once a year to Asuncion and several times a year to Ciudad del Este.

Now and again, I go to Pedro Juan Caballero, about 500 kms north of Asuncion.

Quote from serafina

We crossed the border in 2013 during a vacation to Iguazú falls. We went to Ciudad del Este as it was considered the capital of shopping across the border with cheap electronics.

When we were up at Iguazu I remember the missus saying it was cheap to shop across the border but we never went.

She used to rent one of the shops to a bloke who sold mobiles. He was always going there for some reason. I suspect he was up to no good as he was a bit dodgy and a K supporter. He went from rags to riches in no time....nuff said!!

Quote from GlasgowJohn

My first visit to Paraguay was in 1985!

I still go about once a year to Asuncion and several times a year to Ciudad del Este.

Now and again, I go to Pedro Juan Caballero, about 500 kms north of Asuncion.

Is it worth a visit or too much hassle?

Asuncion is certainly worth a visit: the old part of the city reminds you of Spain a few hundred years ago. Lots of nice old buildings. I remember finding a really old locomotive made in Glasgow in the railway station

The newer part is full of shops. decent prices compared to here.

Ciudad del Este is a shoppers paradise . A very busy main street with loads of shops , In the past couple of years some fairly big shopping malls have opened

Cheap booze, cigarettes , perfumes and electronics

Asuncion sounds worth a visit. Don't fancy the shoppers paradise though especially with the missus. I'd end up carrying all the shopping!!

Quote from UK Man

I'd end up carrying all the shopping!!

You can make yourself useful, at least!

GlasgowJohn , your description of Asunción makes me want visit. Is it safe?

Quote from serafina

You can make yourself useful, at least!

GlasgowJohn , your description of Asunción makes me want visit. Is it safe?

serafina , as safe as all capital cities.

I tend to stay in the newer part of town, which is quite busy at night.

The historic centre is very quiet when businesses close down for the evening.

So after dark i tend to move in taxis or ubers.