reciprocity fee

I paid my Argentinian reciprocity fee and entered Argentina for the first time just over a year ago. I travelled between Chile and Argentina by bicycle all the way to Tierra del Fuego and then through Argentina into Paraguay and Brazil. Now I'm in Brazil but planning to ride to Foz de Iguacu via Missiones. Do I need to pay the fee again? Studying the information above it would seem yes but all my experience of crossing small backcountry borders suggests that the immigration guys aren't that interested in it.

Anyone got some firsthand experience to share? (Yes, I would like to avoid paying the fee again, if I possibly can, even though it's not technically right.)

YES, you, as an Australian, do have to pay again if you entered over a year ago. Unlike the fee for US and Canadian passport users (10 years) it is only for one year, as that is what Australia gives to accepted Argentinean applicants for visas to Oz.

Here is what your embassy in BA says, at http://www.argentina.embassy.gov.au/baircastellano/TAreciprocityTAreciprocity.html :

" If you are visiting Argentina you need to know the following information about payment of the reciprocity fee!

Australian tourists are charged a “reciprocity fee” of USD100. The fee is valid for multiple re-entries within a period of one year as of the date of first entry. The fee must be paid prior to arrival at all ports of entry, including airports, ports and land border crossings.

The reciprocity fee is payable on the Argentine Migration website. Travellers should print the receipt and submit it to Argentine immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Travellers who have not paid the reciprocity fee prior to arrival at an Argentine port of entry may be sent back to their port of embarkation.

For the full text of the travel advice, please refer to: smartraveller.gov.au "

I understand that the fee printouts are required at all border entries, though perhaps you may get lucky. I would not depend on it, as people have been sent back at even isolated border posts.

Hum. Right. Thanks, Mendociateacher.

Port of embarkation is not such a big threat when you are travelling on a bicycle. I guess the worst that can happen really is that I get stuck for a day sorting it out at some border town. But as a concept I understand the moral basis of reciprocity so I should probably just suck it up.

Well, "sorting it out" probably means bicycling or hitchiking back to the last Chilean town with an internet cafe so you can pay for the fee with a credit card and printing proof. I know people who have had to do just this.

Please report back for others considering this risk.

As an American, can I come and go with my reciprocity fee as often as I can, or are there restrictions as to how many times I can enter and leave?

My understanding is you're good to come and go as you please for 10 years. I guess there is some limit to how long you can stay in one unbroken span without leaving the country. 90 days, perhaps?

Yes, you are free to come and go during the life of the fee, 10 years for Americans and Canadians, 1 year for Australians.

Yes, like most countries in South America, the general tourist visa given on entry is 90 days. You either have to leave the country and return, extend, or pay a late fee of 300 pesos before leaving if you want to stay more than 90 days.

In terms of coming and going, though, you always need to have a copy of the reciprocity fee printout to show proof of payment on entry into Argentina. That is why it is a good idea to print several copies for each trip and for the future just in case.

Thete is a long sticky at the top of the forum section about the Argentina reciprocity fee, but to avoid confusion , here is the official site where you pay for and get the printout: https://reciprocidad.provincianet.com.ar/

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