Travel Authorization Letter for Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay 2026

The Southern Cone countries — Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay — are frequent destinations for Latin American families in California who have relatives there or who travel for tourism. These three countries have modern, well-organized immigration systems that rigorously enforce child protection requirements.

Argentina

Argentina has one of the most formal requirements in all of Latin America. The National Directorate of Migration requires a Minor's Travel Permit (PVM) for minors under 18 leaving Argentine territory without both parents.

Argentina's special requirements:

• •For children under 6 years old, the permit is mandatory even if they travel with one parent but not the other
• •The PVM should ideally be issued before an Argentine notary (escribano público) or at the nearest Argentine Consulate in the U.S.
• •For short tourist stays (vacation visits), American notarization is generally accepted; apostille may be required in some cases
• •The permit can be registered with the National Directorate of Migration before the trip for added security

Major cities:

• •Buenos Aires — Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Jorge Newbery Airfield (AEP)
• •Córdoba — Ambrosio Taravella International Airport (COR)
• •Mendoza — El Plumerillo International Airport (MDZ)
• •Bariloche, Rosario, Salta, Mar del Plata

Airlines: Aerolíneas Argentinas (direct flights from MIA and JFK), LATAM (from LAX with Lima or Santiago layover), American Airlines (MIA), Copa Airlines (Panama). For families with Argentine children in the U.S.: If your child was born in Argentina or has Argentine citizenship, Argentina applies its laws even if the child enters with an American passport. Verify citizenship status before traveling.

Chile

Chile requires notarized authorization from the absent parent for a minor to leave the national territory. The National Service for Minors (SENAME) and the Criminal Investigation Police of Chile (PDI) oversee enforcement at border checkpoints and airports.

Situations where it is mandatory:

• •Minor travels with only one parent
• •Minor travels with grandparents or other family members
• •Minor travels alone
• •Minor travels with family friends

Cities and airports:

• •Santiago — Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)
• •Antofagasta, Iquique (northern Chile)
• •Concepción, Temuco, Puerto Montt (southern Chile)
• •Punta Arenas (Patagonia)
• •Easter Island — Special flight from Santiago

Airlines: LATAM Chile (main operator, flights from LAX), American Airlines (MIA or Dallas layover), United (Houston layover), Copa (Panama), Delta (Atlanta). Practical tip: Chile has land border crossings with Argentina (Los Libertadores Pass, Cardenal Samoré Pass) frequently used by families on Patagonia tours. If the itinerary includes crossing into Argentina or vice versa by car, the letter should mention both countries.

Uruguay

Uruguay requires authorization from the absent parent for minors traveling without both parents. The authorization must be issued before a public notary (escribano público) — either a Uruguayan notary or notarized in the U.S.

Cities:

• •Montevideo — Carrasco International Airport (MVD)
• •Punta del Este — Popular tourist destination in summer
• •Colonia del Sacramento
• •Salto, Rivera (border with Brazil)

Airlines to Uruguay: Connections from California always require a layover — typically in Buenos Aires (Aerolíneas Argentinas), São Paulo (LATAM), or Panama (Copa). Uruguay and Argentina as a combined trip: It's very common for families to travel to Buenos Aires and then cross to Montevideo on the Buquebus (Río de la Plata ferry). If your child has this itinerary, the letter should mention both Argentina and Uruguay and cover the complete travel period.

Apostille vs. American Notarization

For these three countries (especially Argentina), the question sometimes arises whether American notarization is sufficient or if an apostille is needed.

The practical answer: For short tourism trips, American notarization is generally accepted. For longer stays or in cases where there may be doubts (for example, disputed custody), an apostille provides greater legal certainty. The apostille is processed through the California Secretary of State.

At Multi Servicios 360 we prepare the notarizable base document. If you need an apostille, we'll guide you through the next steps.

→ Travel authorization letter for Argentina, Chile, or Uruguay — $49

Plan Ahead

Flights to the Southern Cone are long (12-16 hours) and expensive — airplane tickets to Buenos Aires or Santiago can cost $800-$1,500 or more. Don't let a $49 document be what ruins your trip. Prepare it at least two weeks in advance.

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