Visas & Customs Requirements

Employment:

If you are moving to Argentina with the intention of taking up employment once you arrive in South America then you will first need to secure a work permit before you can work legally in the country. Work permits are required for paid and unpaid work. So, even if you are coming to Argentina to be a volunteer or for an internship you will still need to have a work permit.

Work permits in Argentina are issued to foreigners by the National Directorate of Migration in Argentina. In order for you to obtain a work permit for paid employment you will need to have the company that you will be working for make the application for you with the National Directorate of Argentina. In some instances work permits can be applied for by the Consulate, usually though this is reserved for volunteers and charity workers.

In order to qualify for a work permit the first condition is that the company that is applying on your behalf should be registered as a legal entity in Argentina. If that is not the case the company will need to present a declaration from the owners or upper management of the company to the Argentine consulate. They will also need to provide several commercial references.

Other conditions must be met for you to qualify for a work permit. You will need to have an employment contract with a company in Argentina. You will need to have your birth certificate. If it is not in Spanish you will need to have it translated by a certified translator. If married you will have to do the same with your marriage certificate. You will also need a passport that is valid for at least 18 months and three passport size photos of your self.

There are three common types of work visas: the article 29 E visas, the article 15 E labor contract visas and the article 15 E secondment visas. The article 29 E visa is for short term work lasting only 15 days. It can be extended for an additional 15 days. The article 15 E labor contract visa is for six to 12 months of work under an employment contract. And the article 15 E secondment visa is for people sent by their company to work in Argentina for six to 12 months.

If you have an employment contract with a company in Argentina you will need to sign it in the presence of a consul at the consulate. If you are sent to Argentina by your company then you will have to sign an employment contract with that company.

You are able to bring your spouse and children to Argentina with you under a work permit. You will just need to prove family ties, which can be done with birth and marriage certificates.

Employment Situation:

Argentina's labor market is rapidly deteriorating amid the ongoing downturn. According to the government, the unemployment rate averaged 8.8% in the second quarter, sharply up from 8% a year earlier. The economy grew just 0.2% y/y in the second quarter of 2009, a sharp deceleration compared with a year earlier. Expect the unemployment rate to keep increasing for the remainder of 2009 as the economy tilts into a mild recession.

Teaching Positions:

Argentina has done well in developing a large TEFL tradition over the last few years. The recent economic problems have now started to stabilize, and this teaching market is recovering well.

Business English is in big demand, particularly in Buenos Aires. Here thousands of companies provide English lessons for their employees. Business teaching is often in-house, so the teachers need to travel from company to company. American-English is sometimes preferred, though opportunities exist for qualified teachers from any native English-speaking background. International language school chains have also arrived in Argentina, such as the Wall Street Institute and Inlingua.

The number of hours of teaching a week on average are 10 - 20. You can teach all levels and ages in Argentina from business women to orphans. Due to the economical situation, it is difficult for many students to buy English books or to get them from a public library. You will need to give them challenging activities: using authentic materials, like English newspapers, magazines, brochures, ads, etc. Children are growing up in a country full of problems, and they question why they have to learn English or why they have to study. Originality and enthusiasm are definitely needed to make a connection.