Consulate General of Argentina — Local services in New York

Absolutely everything written here about the arrogance and complete disregard for people's time and effort in this forum is 100% true.

My wife and I decided to try to give our two younger kids the Argentinean citizenship for no other reason than to connect them to the land of their (and our) ancestors and after triple checking everything 2 weeks prior we learned upon arrival in NY after 4 hours of driving that they had decided to duplicate the fare. No communication of any kind (eventhough they knew we were coming from far away), their own web site did not listed the fare hike even that very day. When we complained they proceeded to lecture us on how their admin had come to the office specially for us (imagine that favor) and they wanted to know why we couldn't just walk to the nearest bank and get a money order for the additional money.

They could not even comprehend the frustration. Didn't even thought of expressing any kind of apologies for the complete lack of communicatinon, they gave us this arrogant attitude of "sucks to be you, fix it". We just didn't take it. We turned around and left. We told them if this goverment is going to be this inept, arrogant and disrespecful of people's effort then it is not worth our children citisenship. I am truly ashamed of my (other) ciizenship. These people are showing the worst face of the country in the most important city in the world....

The website did not have an option to book an appointment, I emailed and called much in advance but got no response. I travel for work on weekdays so I could go for visa only on Friday. Since I got such a delayed response from them, my appointment was really close to my travel date (which I had specified in my mail to them many times and they did not mention that I will have to pay expedited fees in that case). The consulate staff helped me by printing many documents for me, and I offered to pay the cost for that (please note many embassies print documents and even take photos on the spot - so it is nothing unusual they did - they could just charge a fees that I was happy to pay). But then the staff asked me to pay the fees for expedited visa (US$ 40), I requested a lot to waive it off, esp. given that the embassy was nearly empty and they got to process and print my visa right then (meaning they really had less workload). I told them I was waiting for an appointment and couldn't help it till they replied, their website and phone had no option to book a slot. But the staff refused and told me it is not their problem. And I have to pay if I want to travel in time. So I paid. Please note that I do not shy away from paying visa fees, but they never mentioned on email these conditions, and it was their inefficiencies that never got me a...

I must say I have to agree with what is said here. I have been to the embassy a few times and every time is a different story with them. Every employee is sitting there shooting the breeze, chatting away. Meanwhile, there's always a room full of people waiting to be helped. When you dare bother them with a question (as to when you will be helped) they treat you like crap and make you feel as if you are wasting their time when in reality it is very much the other way around. Their lack of work ethic is truly astonishing. Half of them don't know what they are doing and the other half doesn't really care. Their hours of operations are terrible and you can't reach anyone on the phone, EVER. Truly shameless. It is true, If this is a true reflection on Argentina (not just the lazy people at the embassy) no wonder Argentina is where it is today. One cannot help but feel embarrassed to share a nationality with such good for...