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The Argentina reciprocity fee is a fee charged by the government of Argentina to US, Australian, and Canadian citizens to enter Argentina. The reason is that these countries charge Argentinian citizens a similar fee. This fee is currently $160 for US citizens.
How was this reciprocity fee avoidable before?
Before, visitors paid this fee only when they arrived on an international flight. Although this fee was was enforced at the airports, it was not strictly enforced when you entered Argentina via land or cruise. In August 2012, I took a cab from the San Martin Hotel (Brazil) to Sheraton Iguazu Resort (Argentina) and I did not have to pay the fee when crossing the border. I certainly would have had to pay it if i took a flight from Brazil to Argentina.
New Updates to the reciprocity fee
The government of Argentina has recently changed the terms of the fee. Now, it has to be paid regardless of whether you enter the country via air, land, or cruise. In addition, it has to be paid online before entering the country. It cannot be paid on arrival anymore. It can be paid on one of the two following websites:
According to the announcement on The Argentina Embassy in Washington website,
Payment can be made on the following credit cards only: Visa, American Express, Mastercard.
The voucher received must be printed and submitted to the immigration authorities. The period of validity of such proof will begin from the date on which the payment was made.
Online payment is optional until December 27, 2012 (inclusive) if the ports of entry into Argentina are Aeroparque Jorge Newbery or Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza).
As of December 28, 2012, the ‘online’ payment prior to arrival at the above mentioned ports of entry in Argentina, is the only option to pay such a fee.
As of January 7, 2013, the reciprocity fee will be extended to all border crossings of Argentina: maritime, fluvial, terrestrial and aerial.
Until June 30, 2013, passengers on cruises entering the country are exempted from paying the reciprocity fee.
U.S. citizens who previously paid the fee and its validity period has not expired in accordance to the provisions of the National Migration Directorate, do not need to pay it again.
So, if you are a US, Canadian, or Australian citizen and want to avoid the fee, travel to Argentina on a cruise before June 30th, 2013. Of note, the payment for the reciprocity fee is a foreign transaction, so use an appropriate credit card without foreign transaction fees.