Guides
Guides, free to everyone
General information, written plainly, with no card needed. Each guide points you to the official source, because rules change and differ from country to country. They are not legal, immigration, tax or financial advice.
Ten guides for a life between two countries
Your local tax number
Why almost everything depends on it, and the name it has in each country: RFC, CPF, RUT, CUIT, RUC, NIT and others.
Opening a bank account
The documents banks usually ask for, and accounts that accept new residents.
Health care where you live
How public and private systems work together, and how to choose cover.
Renting a home
Guarantors, deposits, rental insurance, and how to read a lease.
Apostilles and translations
Which documents need them, and how to obtain them before you travel.
Having your profession recognized
Degree recognition and professional licensing, step by step.
Driving
How long a foreign licence is valid, and how to exchange it.
Your first tax year
Tax residence, returns and treaties, explained — then ask a licensed accountant.
Starting a business
Company types, registration and the professionals you will need.
For Latin Americans abroad
Consular registration, voting abroad, sending money and planning the return.
Scam Watch
Eight frauds aimed at people far from home, and the check that defeats each one. We will never ask you for money, passwords or one-time codes.
The call from “immigration”
No authority asks for payment by phone, transfer or gift card. Hang up and call the office on its published number.
The “guaranteed visa” agent
No one can guarantee a visa. Use licensed lawyers or accredited representatives only.
The apartment that does not exist
Never pay a deposit before seeing the property and the owner's documents.
The job that asks for money
Real employers do not charge for a job, training or a work permit.
The kidnapping call
A caller claims a relative is held. Hang up and call your relative directly; then call the police.
Romance and investment
A new online friend with a sure investment is a warning sign, every time.
The “bank security” message
Your bank never asks for your code or password. Call the number on your card.
The parcel or refund text
Do not click links about parcels, fines or refunds. Go to the official site yourself.
Consular Desk
How to reach your country's consulate, what to carry, and what a consulate can and cannot do. TAS Latin America is independent and is not a government body.
Living in Latin America, from another country
Register with your consulate, keep its emergency number, and know where your nearest consulate is.
Latin American, living abroad
Your country's consulates issue passports and civil documents, and many offer consular registration and voting abroad.
What a consulate can do
Replace a lost passport, register births and deaths, help in emergencies and arrests, and give lists of local lawyers and doctors.
What it cannot do
Pay bills, give legal advice, override local courts, or obtain a visa or job for you.
What to carry
Your passport, residence document, a copy of each, and any appointment confirmation.
Free help near you
Public and community services that help new residents, in most cities of the region.
Migration offices
National migration authorities publish their procedures and fees online.
Public defenders and legal clinics
Many universities and public defenders offer free legal guidance.
Public libraries and cultural centres
Free internet, language clubs and community events.
Language classes
Universities and cultural institutes offer Spanish and Portuguese courses, some free.
Community health centres
Public clinics provide primary care; ask what applies to new residents.
Chambers of commerce
Bilateral chambers help professionals and entrepreneurs from their country.
Emergency numbers
911 in Mexico, Argentina and several other countries; 123 in Colombia; 190 police and 192 ambulance in Brazil; 131 ambulance and 133 police in Chile.
The TAS Foundation
Free first help for everyone. tas-foundation.org
One family, on every continent
TAS stands for Together and Stronger. TAS Latin America is one of the regional houses of a worldwide membership family, and your card is recognized by every one of them.
The other regional houses
- TAS AmericasFor the United States and the wider Americas.
- TAS CanadaFor newcomers to Canada, and Canadians abroad.
- TAS EuropeFor people who moved to Europe, and Europeans abroad.
- TAS AfricaFifty-four countries, one continent-wide house.
- TAS IndiaFor overseas Indians, and those who made India home.
- TAS ChinaFor Chinese families living abroad.
- TAS East AsiaEast and Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
- TAS West AsiaThe Gulf, the Levant and West Asia's business capitals.