Argentina Ups Quota for Passengers Entering the Country

On August 6, 2021, Argentina’s Chief of Cabinet Ministers issued Administrative Decision No. 793/2021, which extended until October 1, 2021 the authority of the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) to suspend authorizations and permits for direct flights to Argentina based on country of origin or destination. The measure had initially been imposed by Administrative Decision No. 2252/2020 on December 24, 2020.

The same provision also grants ANAC a staggered increase by date: (i) 11,900 seats up to and including September 5, 2021 and (ii) 16,100 seats for Argentine citizens and residents entering the country on passenger flights from September 6 up to and including October 1, 2021. Non-resident foreigners who have been exceptionally authorized to enter the country by the National Directorate of Migration (DNM)—in exercise of its powers under Decree No. 274/20—may also enter the country within that quota.

The National Government may give entrance priority to a weekly total of 700 passengers for reasons of urgency or to attend to essential matters that cannot be postponed or for official or diplomatic representation.

The ANAC was also authorized to increase, decrease or eliminate the passenger quota as long as doing so does not affect the basic response capacity of the respective safe corridor or the measures established by the local authorities to oversee compliance with mandatory isolation upon entry and to follow-up on Covid cases.

To this end, when approving flight schedules, ANAC has to ensure that flights are two hours apart for sanitary review. In addition, it’s required to report approved flights and schedule changes to the DNM and the Ministry of Health at least 48-hour in advance.

In line with this regulation, the DNM issued Provision No. 2097/2021 whereby it exceptionally authorized the Ministro Pistarini International Airport, San Fernando International Airport, Jorge Newbery Metropolitan Airport and the Port of Buenos Aires (Buquebus Terminal) to grant entry to non-resident foreigners who are direct relatives of Argentine citizens entering the country temporarily out of necessity. By virtue of bilateral agreements or unilateral exemptions, these relatives will not need visas as long as they comply with the recommendations and instructions issued by the national health authority.

Depending on how the epidemiological situation evolves, the Governors and the Head of Government of the City of Buenos Aires may formally urge the Chief of Cabinet Ministers to open additional safe corridors. Starting September 6, 2021 with the new corridor, they may also request a pilot border tourism program with Chile and Uruguay, with the prior authorization of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

The DNM may exceptionally authorize entry through other border crossings when warranted by special and demonstrated humanitarian reasons. In all cases, individuals entering the country must comply with the immigration and sanitary requirements in force.

These requirements are established by Administrative Decision No. 2252/2020 while the complementary requirements established by Administrative Decisions No. 268/21, 342/21, 512/21, 589/21, 643/21 and 683/21 remain in force. These decisions mandate that passengers must submit a negative PCR test 72 hours before boarding, get an antigen test upon arrival, meet mandatory isolation requirements, and take a second PCR test seven days after arrival. (For more information, please read the following article: https://www.marval.com/publicacion/nuevos-requisitos-aplican-a-transportistas-y-tripulantes-que-ingresan-a-argentina-13965&lang=en).

Finally, the measure also established that the ANAC, the DNM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, and the Ministry of Health must endeavor to facilitate re-entry to Argentine citizens and residents whose trips were rescheduled and/or cancelled as a result of the Administrative Decisions.