Argentina visit visa for Pakistan passport holders

From the glaciers of Patagonia to the tango halls of Buenos Aires and the thundering Iguazú Falls, Argentina is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many Pakistani travellers. It does take planning. Pakistani passport holders need a tourist visa, and Argentina's online travel authorisation (AVE) is not open to Pakistani nationals, so the embassy route is the only one for most people.

Applications are handled by the Embassy of Argentina in Islamabad, in Sector F-6/2. The embassy asks every applicant, whatever the reason for travel, to send the application and all required documents by email at least 45 days before the planned travel date. After that, the embassy arranges an appointment to submit the papers, and Argentina's Foreign Ministry lists a consular interview as part of the process. Start early, especially if you are travelling for a family event or a fixed tour date.

The tourist visa allows a stay of up to 90 days. The consular fee is 150 US dollars or euros, depending on the consular office, and it is paid in the local currency of the mission where you apply. Argentina's Foreign Ministry stresses that meeting every requirement does not guarantee a visa, because the decision rests entirely with the Argentine state, so avoid buying flights until your visa is granted.

The embassy's checklist is detailed. You need a passport valid for at least six months on arrival with at least one blank sheet, two recent 4 x 4 cm colour photos on a white background, the signed visa application form, and proof of income such as recent pay slips, a credit card statement or a bank statement stamped with the bank officer's name. Add a return flight reservation, hotel bookings and an itinerary, a signed cover letter with your personal details and travel plan, and a letter from your employer showing your designation and last three months' salary.

If you are visiting family or friends in Argentina, they must send an original invitation letter with a copy of their Argentine ID (DNI), certified by an Argentine notary and the Colegio de Escribanos, or issue the invitation online through the TAD platform. In that case you do not need a hotel reservation. Argentina does not publish an official approval or refusal rate for Pakistani applicants, and the consulate can ask for more documents at any stage.