Argentina is preparing to launch South America’s first citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) program, offering a fast‑track path to a G20 passport with extensive visa‑free travel and regional work rights.
Program foundation
- Legal basis: Decree 524/2025, signed by President Javier Milei in July 2025, amended the Nationality Law to create a direct route to Argentine citizenship for foreign investors, bypassing the usual residency requirement.
- Processing time: Legislation mandates a 30‑business‑day window from submission to decision, positioning the scheme among the quickest globally.
Status as of April 2026
- The original master‑agent tender has been cancelled, but this is described as a procedural adjustment rather than a policy reversal.
- The legal framework, tax amendments, and supporting infrastructure remain in place.
- The government is expected to announce a revised implementation plan, with the program slated to open to applicants in the second half of 2026.
Anticipated investment routes
- Business investment: Approximately US$500,000 (or more) in qualifying Argentine enterprises that generate local employment.
- Real‑estate: Investment in government‑approved development projects.
- Capital injection: Funding of regulated Argentine investment vehicles.
Final thresholds, eligible sectors, and application procedures will be confirmed at launch.
Benefits of Argentine citizenship
- Regional mobility: Right to live and work in all Mercosur member and associated states—Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Suriname.
- Global travel: Visa‑free or simplified entry to more than 170 countries, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea.
- Tax advantage: Zero personal income tax on foreign‑sourced income for qualifying investors.
- U.S. business access: Argentina’s E‑2 treaty with the United States enables investors to obtain E‑2 visas for U.S. business activities.
Broader investment climate
In March 2026, Argentina announced reforms to relax restrictions on foreign ownership of land and other assets, signaling a wider pro‑investment agenda beyond the CBI program. These regulatory changes aim to attract larger volumes of international capital.
Outlook for prospective investors
- The program is in its final implementation phase; investors who express interest now may secure priority access to the most competitive investment options.
- Assuming the 30‑business‑day processing timeline, the earliest citizenships could be issued by early to mid 2027.
Stakeholders should monitor official announcements for definitive investment thresholds and application details.
Source article: www.artoncapital.com
