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Simplifying The Visa Process for Climbing Aconcagua (6,961M)

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Simplifying The Visa Process for Climbing Aconcagua (6,961M)

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Aparna Rastogi

06 Jun 2024

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Simplifying The Visa Process for Climbing Aconcagua (6,961M)

It’s safe to assume that you are here because you have decided to climb Aconcagua – the highest mountain in South America, the highest outside Asia and second tallest in the list of the Seven Summits. Let me start off by telling you what a great decision it is! It is going to be one hell of a journey – and I hope to get you started on it.

Given that the mountain station itself is in Argentina, anyone from outside would need a Visa to get into this country – no matter which route you choose to take. Needless to say, you require a valid passport issued not more than 10 years ago from the date of travel, to get the Visa. If you are new to the Visa process like I was when I first climbed this beautiful peak, know that I am here for you every step of the way.

Below, I have tried to go over each step in as much detail as possible to help you through the process of securing a Visa for Argentina to get to Aconcagua.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

- Since the mountain is in Argentina, you will need a Visa for Argentina to climb Aconcagua.

- You need to apply directly to the Argentinian Embassy in India. No third-party involvement is necessary.

- Applications for the Visa should be sent in at least 4 weeks before the date of travel. Preferably apply two months in advance since the Embassy is closed on Indian as well as Argentinian holidays.

- The Visa type required for this climb would be Tourist Visa which is applicable for a stay of maximum 90 days within the country.

- If you have a US or Schengen Visa, you need an ETA i.e. Electronic Travel Authorization. There’s a 200 USD fee for ETA.

- For Indian Nationals, the Visa is free of cost. For other Nationals, the fee is 150USD.

- Application and documents need to be submitted in person and not via post or email.

- Visa interview conducted in person at the Embassy is mandatory.

- For Indian passport holders, if your place of residence is anywhere outside Maharashtra, you can apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in New Delhi. Address: F-3/3 Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057. Telephone: (00 91) 11 - 4078 1900. If your place of residence is Maharashtra, you must apply at the Consulate General and Promotion Center of the Argentine Republic in Mumbai. Address: Chander Mukhi Building, 10th Floor, Nariman Point 400 021 Mumbai. Telephone: (0091) 22 2287 1381/1382/1383.

- The application form must be printed and filled by hand only. Do not make any mistakes while filling in the application form. Recheck and review your form on completion for any errors.

PROCESS

The Argentina Visa process is directly managed by the Embassy of Argentina in India, no third-party organisations like VFS are authorised to mediate the procedure. Since it is managed directly, it can get confusing sometimes and is also subject to change more frequently. However, now the process is a bit more streamlined and easier to follow.

Although the link https://eindi.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/visas-7 provides a very clear step by step guide on how to apply for Argentinian Visa, we have also detailed out the process below in case you have any questions.

For Individuals with a US or Schengen Visa

If you have a US or Schengen Visa with a validity of at least six months from your date of travel, you need a E-Visa to enter Argentina. You can forego the whole process and apply online which will incur you a fee of USD 200. All you need is an ETA i.e. Electronic Travel Authorization. You also need not worry about your Visa being denied/rejected.

Visit https://eindi.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/visas-7.

The procedure for ETA is detailed on this page of the website: https://eindi.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/eta. It’s fairly clear and straightforward.

For Individuals without a US or Schengen Visa

Here is a step-by-step guide to getting an Argentinian Visa to climb Aconcagua:

Step 1: Visit the website https://eindi.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/visas-7

Step 2: Download and fill the Visa Application Form from here (shown below)

It is a three-page form. Carefully fill out all the fields.

- You will need a passport sized colour photograph to complete the application form.

- Remember to fill the form by hand, and not digitally.

- Please remember to print the application form on 3 (three) separate pages and NOT back-to-back.

Step 3: Check the finished form and post the signed copy to the embassy. You can visit the embassy to submit your documents as well.

Some general considerations:

- You can submit your visa application on any business day between 9:30 am and 11:30 am.

- As mentioned before, if your place of residence is in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India -except Maharashtra - you can apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in New Delhi.

Address: F-3/3 Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057. Telephone: (00 91) 11 - 4078 1900.

- If your place of residence is in Maharashtra, you must apply at the Consulate General and Promotion Center of the Argentine Republic in Mumbai.

Address: Chander Mukhi Building, 10th Floor, Nariman Point 400 021 Mumbai. Telephone: (0091) 22 2287 1381/1382/1383.

- For more information or clarifications, you can send an E-mail to: consular_cgmum@mrecic.gov.ar or visit the website: www.cgmum.mrecic.gov.ar.

- The Visa Section is open from Monday to Friday, the Embassy is closed on Argentine and Indian holidays.

Step 4: Await a conformation email for date of appointment to submit your papers at the embassy. If you have a host or organization who you are seeking services of, they need to upload an invitation letter separately on the embassy portal confirming their services to you. Invitation letter in Spanish can be issued digitally through a system called 'Trámites a Distancia - TAD'. In that case, please forward the this link to the concerned person in Argentina to understand the process of TAD.

The confirmation email will look something like this.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED to be submitted at the Embassy

Make sure to have all the following documents in order before your appointment at the Embassy. In absence of any of these, your application will be considered incomplete which is grounds for rejection of the Visa.

Original Passport: must be valid for a minimum of six (6) months from the intended date of entry and have at least two (2) Completely free pages left, must be presented at the time of submission.
Visa application form: Must be a 3-page Visa form (cannot be back-to-back). All questions must be answered and the form must be signed by the applicant. Incomplete or incorrect forms shall not be accepted.
Passport Photos: Two (2) recent passport style, color photograph (4 x 4 cm). White background, Front Face.
Covering letter addressed to the Visa Section of the Embassy of Argentina in Delhi, explaining the purpose of visit and summary of the travel plan duly acknowledged and signed by the applicant.

The cover letter is an important document and must cover the following points:

- A clear purpose for visit

- Your passport number

- Number of days you plan to be in the Schengen region

- Your motivation for the visit

- A detailed itinerary

- Information about documents attached to the application

- Proof of sufficient funds for your intended stay in Argentina. The mentioned note should be notarized and translated into Spanish.

[Please note that entrepreneurs must provide the cover letter on the letterhead of their company]

Funds:

- A letter from your employer confirming that you are currently employed and for how long (in case you are on leave, it should also be stated in the letter). This letter must be written on company letter-head, signed by the person in charge, notarized and duly translated to Spanish. (the translation does not need to be notarized).

- Last 3 months' salary/pay-slip

- Last 3 year's Income Tax Return (ITR)

- Applicant’s personal, consolidated bank statements duly stamped by the bank (Last 6 months).

[For dependents, please add a copy of the trip sponsor’s bank statements]

- If the applicant is sponsored: Sponsorship letter with any Govt ID proof and the Bank statement showing transactions of the last three months updated within 45 days.

- If you are the owner of the business, please add a copy of your business’ official registration notarized and duly translated into Spanish and last 3 year's Income Tax Return (ITR)

- If you are self-employed or a student, you need to present all documents/certificates related to your current occupation. All such documents must be notarized and duly translated into Spanish (the translation does not need to be notarized).

Travel itinerary (corresponding to the tickets provided)
Round trip flight tickets (Only reservations)

[Please note that internal flight or bus tickets and/or cruise booking must also be included, if applicable]

Proof of Accommodation: Hotel reservations corresponding to flight tickets and itinerary (Must be reservations)

In case you are climbing with us

You will need your documents of accommodation and internal travel. So, in case you are planning to climb with us, you will first need to secure your slot in our fixed departure dates so that we can make your bookings and send you the documents required from our end to secure a Visa.

In case you are climbing on your own

Alternatively, you can also make bookings on a portal like bookings.com with the pay-on-property option.

In case a hotel reservation is not made and if there is an invitation from a person in Argentina, an ORIGINAL invitation letter is required. The letter must be certified by an Argentine Public Notary and also by the "Colegio de Escribanos" (the Public Notaries’ Association). Along with the original letter of invitation submit a copy of the Argentine ID Card from the person inviting (DNI). The invitation letter can follow the general guidelines of the model letter available in the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina.

Link: https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/servicios/visas/visa-para-turismo

Invitation letter in Spanish can also be issued digitally through a system called 'Trámites a Distancia - TAD'. In that case, please forward the following link to the concerned person in Argentina to understand the process of TAD.

https://tramitesadistancia.gob.ar/static/TAD%20-%20C%C3%B3mo%20iniciar%2...

Copy of passport & valid Visas (Valid or recently expired Visas), kindly attach a copy of each of them.
Insurance

You will need two kinds of insurance for the trip:

Travel Medical Insurance: To cover accident, injury or sickness during your travel and stay in the host country. The cost will depend on the number of days you plan to stay in the host country including travel days.
Insurance to cover your climb: To cover cost of rescue if need be, in addition to medical and health coverage in case of sickness and injury during your time on the mountain. The cost depends on the service you choose, the number of days you are exposed to the risk and the altitude of the mountain of choice. There are adventure insurance companies based in India but it would make sense to get insured by a company which might have better reach in the region of travel for speedy service. (Note: We can send you leads for this if you may need any help)

Personal Interview: All visa applicants without exception need to have a personal interview with a consular officer. Dates for the personal interview shall be confirmed on completion of the verification process.

Step 5: Submit documents at the embassy on your appointment date. The visa application and the required documents are not sent by email, but are submitted to the Embassy personally or through a third person who has written authorization. Subsequently, the documentation will be analyzed and eventually an earliest interview slot will be given.

On submission, you will receive a letter from them titled Reception of Visa Application. It will mention details of missing documents. You can submit the remaining documents, if any, in the coming days. Please note that application with incomplete documents will not receive an interview date.

Step 5: Await email on interview date. Once received, confirm the slot.

The email is likely to look something like this.

Step 6: Visit the embassy for an interview. Carry a copy of your documents.

This is the part in the process which will need your personal presence at the Embassy. You cannot send anyone in your stead.

Step 7: Await communication, via email, to collect your passport. When you go to collect your passport, remember to carry the letter Reception of Application. They will not hand over the passport if you are not in possession of that letter. Anyone can collect it for you, but they must have the original letter.

We hope that this article was helpful for you to get started on your Visa process. If you have any questions or concerns at all, regarding any step of the process, do not hesitate to reach out to us and we will be happy to assist you in any way that we can.

See you on the mountain!

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