¡Estamos en Trámite!
February 25th, 2008 Posted in business, day to dayWritten by Jamie
We often post about the great things about living in Argentina and more specifically Patagonia. Well, life isn’t always a bowl of cherries.
Take today for example. We are trying to renew our residency. We figured we have lived here over 2 and a half years, so let’s try to do it on our own. We have nothing to lose, except time. If we don’t get the renewal, we need to change residency categories and start over from scratch, which is what we would do with the residency company.
We began going to the local migraciones (immigration) office here in Bariloche last month. They instructed us that we first need to submit a letter requesting the file be moved from Buenos Aires, as well as copies of (trámites) paper work. We completed our end of the deal and brought everything to the office. The nice lady told us it would be 10 days, more or less, until the file arrives in Bariloche and we, then, could proceed with renewal. Since our first meeting we have gone to the office weekly to check on the status of the file. Despite her ten day expected arrival date the trámites are yet to arrive.
Today, at the 1 month mark, another lady, not as nice, suggested we make more copies and resubmit the original request. She told us this time she would mark it as “urgent” and to come back on Friday to check the status.
Our idea is to play the game, smile a lot, give them the paper work they request and exercise patience. We figure if we keep coming to the office and remain pleasant, when the file finally does arrive, we will be in a good position to process the renewal. Our residency expires next month and the lady today told us not too worry, there is plenty of time left. My crystal ball reads that they will receive the file just before the expiration and will quickly renew us for another year, because estamos en trámite.
The term “estamos en tramite” translates to ”we are in paperwork”. In a country where they love there paper and files, it is only fitting there is a phrase for this.
OK, the lake is glass, the air temperature warm, and I am going to be ”estoy en agua” very soon.
6 Responses to “¡Estamos en Trámite!”
By Holly on Feb 27, 2008
If you can make the trip up to Buenos Aires to do the renewal, do it. EVERYTHING is way faster in Buenos Aires. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
By Patagonia on Feb 27, 2008
Thanks for the advice Holly. Unfortunately, the paperwork has already been ordered to Bariloche. We also believe that once it finally arrives, we have a better chance to work directly with migraciones locally. There is never anyone in the office, as opposed to huge lines when we have been to the DNM in BA. Wish us luck! Saludos, Jamie