Explore, connect, thrive in
the expat community

Expat Life: Local Discoveries, Global Connections

FYI one of my new neighbors (American couple) just finally opened a bank account in BA. They went around to several banks including Banco de la Nacion which wouldn't open up an account without a DNI.

They did have a CDI # and just their passport.

Awesome! I will check it out. I did get my Cdi so I will check it out. Thanks!
 
Many times it just differs based on branch to branch. Most of the times, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing in Argentina and the laws are constantly changing. You can call 10 different branches and not get consistent answers.

I'd guess some branches probably will open it but not all of them...so if you hear about one that will....go only to that branch.
Strange there is no consistent laws across all the banks. A friend is going through trying to open a bank account and he is getting different answers even at the same bank. It seems like managers at each bank have their own rules. One friend opened up a bank account at Banco Galicia without his DNI but it was closed shortly after.

FYI one of my new neighbors (American couple) just finally opened a bank account in BA. They went around to several banks including Banco de la Nacion which wouldn't open up an account without a DNI.

They did have a CDI # and just their passport.

I will suggest this one. Hopefully they don't close it down after some time. It would be great if this government could fix all of these issues with simple things like letting people opening up a bank account.
 
I was never able to open up a bank account here with just a CDI number. Banco Nación, Galicia and a few others that I checked with all said I needed a DNI. Bummer.
This has mostly been the case for many years. Even sometimes when a branch allows you to open up an account with just a CDI number eventually it gets shut down. Having an account is very convenient because most places are required by law to accept debit cards. There are also a lot of deals/discounts with certain banks.
 
Must admit to being amazed when reading posts from those who were able to open bank accounts without a DNI. Especially as there's not a lot else you can do here without showing a DNI.
Agree. They won't even let you open a Mercado Libre account without a DNI. I think some bank branches the managers are incentivized to open new accounts and might let a foreigner but I believe the law in Argentina is that you should have a DNI.
 
Agree. They won't even let you open a Mercado Libre account without a DNI. I think some bank branches the managers are incentivized to open new accounts and might let a foreigner but I believe the law in Argentina is that you should have a DNI.
The only reason I can think of is an Argentine company having an agreement with the bank so a foreign employee temporarily based here can collect their salary.
 
The only reason I can think of is an Argentine company having an agreement with the bank so a foreign employee temporarily based here can collect their salary.
Once in a while on expat boards you will see someone sneak through and open an account but I think it's more of a fluke and not sure how long it is open before they close it. In the USA before it was easy to open up bank accounts as a foreigner but they are cracking down here too.
 
Must admit to being amazed when reading posts from those who were able to open bank accounts without a DNI. Especially as there's not a lot else you can do here without showing a DNI.
This seems crazy to me. Why would a bank object to any foreigner wanting to deposit money into an account? Seems crazy they would refuse to open an account without residency.
 
This seems crazy to me. Why would a bank object to any foreigner wanting to deposit money into an account? Seems crazy they would refuse to open an account without residency.
Banks here are terrible. But I don't think it is too easy for someone to open up bank accounts in foreign countries. I couldn't in Mexico when I tried a few years ago when I was going to buy something there. My brother owns there and couldn't open up there. I am not sure how easy it is for foreigners to open up a bank account in the US.

Maintaining bank accounts takes money and it might not be worth it for some banks. Some don't keep money in their account. I read this American that had his account closed and it sounds like he even has a DNI.

 
Back
Top