Hello fellow FTers,

I will be traveling to EZE alone this week for pleasure. I am 20 years old. Something compelled me to visit the State Department's website about the country, and now I'm a little concerned. The State Dept website mentioned that anyone residing in Argentina, regardless of nationality, must have a notarized letter from their parents giving him or her permission to leave the country. I assumed this applied to residents of Argentina, which wouldn't apply to me since I would have a tourist stay and a US Passport.

But then I found the website of some language learning school that says:
In Argentina, people over 21 years old are considered of legal age, therefore, any person less than 21 years of age wanting to enter the country alone or with a person that is not a legal guardian must present a written authorization signed by their mother, father, or guardian endorsed by the Argentine consul in the place of origin. The document can be included in the minor�s passport.

Can anyone with prior experience comment on the likelihood of being denied entry into Argentina for being just a little shy of 21?

Wirelessly posted (Nokia N97 / Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)

You will not have issues entering the country. As I understand it if you are not an Argentine citizen nor a child of an Argentine parent, you should be fine.

Wirelessly posted (Nokia N97 / Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)

Now that Ive re read your post I suggest you call the nearest Argentine consulate and reconfirm this.

In some of South America your age is based on your nearest birthday, not your most recent past one. I don't know if Argentina follows this practice, but if it does, and you were born at least 20 years and 6 months ago, you'd be considered 21 years old and therefore OK.

(I seem to recall a flap at a world beauty pageant over this several years ago. It had a minimum age of 18, with the concept of "18" not further defined in the rules. One of the South American contestants was 17 years and 6+ months. She was considered 18 in her home country, but not by the world organizing body. I don't recall how it ended.)

I phoned the consulate in New York and was told "no problem, no problem" by the woman who answered the phone. I have also found more detail -- in both languages -- on the official embassy websites. I will print everything in the event that I get a hard time. Looks like this applies only to residents/citizens of Argentina. Thanks for the replies.

I have never read about such a rule at all. I myself am 19 years old and planning to go to Bs. As. next year, when I will be 20,75 years old, and after researching my plans never came across such a rule about entry.

You are unlikely to have a problem. Of the 18-21 year old US and UK nationals I know to have flown to Argentina by themselves, none had problems with immigration on arrival or departure.