About
Why Argentina.
Argentina offers one of the fastest paths to citizenship globally: 2 years of continuous legal residence are sufficient to apply for naturalisation. The Argentine passport ranks #15 with 168 visa-free destinations, among the strongest in the Americas.
Three residency routes qualify:
- Rentista visa: for individuals with stable foreign passive income of at least USD 2,000/month. No lump-sum investment required.
- Real-estate investment: approximately USD 500,000 in Argentine property.
- Business investment: approximately USD 1,500,000 in an Argentine business creating local jobs.
The trade-off is physical-presence requirement: at least 180 days per year in Argentina during the residency period. Brief absences for travel are permitted.
Argentine tax residents are subject to worldwide income taxation. Pre-immigration tax planning is recommended for HNWIs structuring their relocation.
The Argentine passport offers full visa-free access to the entire Schengen Area and the full Latin American region; UK entry uses the standard eTA. Argentina permits dual citizenship; your existing passport is retained.
Argentina's residence routes are separate from the proposed direct investor citizenship framework. Compare the Argentina citizenship by investment status, then review the Argentina passport's current travel access before choosing a route.
Tax regime
The tax planning angle.
Worldwide income taxation applies for tax residents. Special regimes for new arrivals (limited capital gains tax exemption for 5 years on Argentine assets).
Investment routes
How the investment works.
3 routes are available. Pick the one that fits your goals.
Business
Rentista visa (passive income)
From
$0
Rentista visa for verifiable monthly passive income of at least $2,000 from foreign sources (rental, dividends, pension). No minimum capital, but you must demonstrate ongoing income.
- RecoverableYes, see terms
Benefits
What this residency gives you.
Fastest path to a strong passport
After 2 years of legal residence, you're eligible for Argentine citizenship by naturalisation. One of the fastest paths in the Americas.
Latin America passport
Argentine passport ranks 15th globally with 168 visa-free destinations including the entire Schengen Area and the full Latin American region. UK entry uses the standard eTA.
Mercosur access
Argentine residents have full freedom-of-movement rights across the Mercosur economic bloc (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, etc.).
Path to dual nationality
Argentina permits dual citizenship. The 2-year naturalisation requirement is among the shortest globally.
Low-cost route: rentista visa
For HNWIs with passive income but limited liquid capital, the rentista visa requires only $2,000/month in foreign income; no large lump-sum investment needed.
Eligibility
Who can apply.
Main applicant
- ✓At least 18 years old
- ✓Clean criminal record
Family members eligible
- ✓Spouse
- ✓Children
- ✓Parents
Process
How it works, step by step.
Initial residency: ~3-4 months for initial temporary residency.
- 1
Engagement and route selection
4 weeksSelection between rentista, investor, or business route based on profile.
- 2
Documentation preparation
6-8 weeksApostilled documents from countries of residence; translation to Spanish.
- 3
Visa application
4-6 weeksApplication filed at Argentine consulate in country of residence.
- 4
Initial residency
1 year1-year temporary residence visa; renewable each year for up to 3 years.
- 5
Permanent residence
3 years from initial residencyApply for permanent residence after 3 years of legal residence.
- 6
Citizenship
2 years from continuous residenceAfter 2 years of continuous Argentine residence, eligible for citizenship by naturalisation.
Documents
What you'll need to prepare.
8 documents required.
- 1Notarized passport copy
- 2Birth and marriage certificates (apostilled)
- 3Police clearance from all countries of residence (last 5 years)
- 4Medical certificate
- 5Proof of income or investment (rentista or investor route)
- 6Proof of accommodation in Argentina
- 7Photographs
- 8Application forms
FAQ
Questions, answered.
How quickly can I become an Argentine citizen?
What is the rentista visa?
Do I have to live in Argentina full-time?
Does Argentina tax my worldwide income?
Is Argentina a citizenship-by-investment program?
Legal basis
National Migration Law (Law 25.871) and Citizenship Law (Law 346 of 1869, amended), Article 2
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