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.
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
