Working in Argentina

Argentina is one of the world’s largest countries and is located in the southeastern region of South America. It borders five countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.

A sovereign state, Argentina is home to more than 40 million people and is the second largest country by area in South America behind Brazil.

Spanish-speaking Argentina is regarded as an emerging world economy and is part of the United Nations, the World Bank Group, the World Trade Organisation and the Union of South American Nations.

Europeans arrived in Argentina in 1502 and first established a settlement in what is now Buenos Aires in 1536. Independence from Spanish was granted to Argentina in 1810.
The Work and Holiday visa arrangement between Australia and Argentina came into effect in February 2012.

Under the arrangement, university-educated Australians aged between 18 and 30 are allowed to work and holiday in Argentina for up to 12 months.

The arrangement was introduced with the aim of strengthening cultural exchange and widening economic ties and links between the two countries.

There is an annual limit of 500 work and holiday visas for Australians to Argentina.

Argentina’s Work and Holiday visa summary

Visa: Work and Holiday
Age: 18 to 30
Length of stay: 12 months
Processing: n/a

Embassy: Level 2, 7 National Circuit
Barton, ACT 2600
Australia

Requirements / Eligibility for Work and Holidays

If you want to travel to Argentina under Work and Holiday arrangements, there are several eligibility requirements. These include, but are not limited to:

• Hold an Australian passport
• Meet health and character requirements
• Be aged between 18 and 30 at the time of applying
• Have no dependent children accompanying you
• Have a return ticket, or sufficient funds for a return or onward fare
• Have sufficient funds for the first part of the holiday
• A letter of approval from the Australian Government supporting the application
• Tertiary education
• Speak basic Spanish

The letter of government support can be issued by the ACT and Regions Office in Canberra and the following details must be provided:

• Certified copy of a valid passport
• Certified copy of one other form of identification with current residential address
• Certified copies of the applicant’s tertiary qualifications, a letter from the university confirming the level of study or originals of academic transcripts

Emergency

Emergency telephone numbers
General emergencies            911
Police                                     101
Fire                                         100
Medical emergencies           107

Australian Embassy, Buenos Aires
Villanueva 1400,
(C1426BMJ)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Telephone: (54 11) 4779 3500
Facsimile:    (54 11) 4779 3581
Website: www.argentina.embassy.gov.au

Tax system

Income tax in Argentina is collected solely by the country’s government through a progressive system that is collected as a deferred tax. For non-residents this tax only applies to income earned in Argentina and not abroad. Incomes tax rates in Argentina start at 9% for low income earners and increase to 35% on the highest bracket. There is also a flat rate on business income of 35% and a stamp tax of 1.5% on the total value of real property.

Bank account

Opening a bank account as an expat in Argentina requires several pieces of documentation, including: passport, proof of residence and tax identification numbers. Each bank account will usually include a debit card. Be aware that bank accounts in Argentina can only be opened when in the country.

The major banks in Argentina include: BNP Argentina, Banco de la Nacion Argentina and Santander.

Working in Argentina

Teaching English is an excellent option for expats looking at starting a working holiday in Argentina. According to TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language), there is a high demand for English tuition in Argentina as use of the language grows in importance across South America. Salaries aren’t high for English teachers in Argentina but should be sufficient to cover your stay as a working holidaymaker.

Another option while traveling in Argentina is to look for agricultural work. This is a great way to explore the country, enjoy the outdoors and supplement your stay with a small amount of funds.

Communication

Argentina has one of the largest markets for mobile phones in South America with several providers for expats to choose from. The major telecommunications players in Argentina are:

• Claro
• Telecom Personal
• Movistar
• Nextel Argentina

To sign-up for a phone contract in Argentina, applicants will need to provide forms of identification, such as a passport and proof of employment.