Argentina’s new Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is slated to open for applications in the fourth quarter of 2026. The scheme, developed by the government‑appointed consortium AMIGO Ltd. with technical input from advisory firm Latitude, offers foreign investors a pathway to Argentine citizenship without a residency requirement.
Program structure and investment options
- Eligibility – Foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment may apply for Argentine citizenship. The government retains final authority over applicant eligibility, due‑diligence review, and the grant of citizenship.
- Investment routes – Applicants can choose between:
- A non‑refundable Treasury contribution of US $350,000.
- An investment of US $800,000 in an Argentine sovereign bond.
- Family inclusion – Spouses and children may be added to the primary applicant’s file:
- Spouse: additional $100,000 (Treasury contribution).
- Children aged 18‑25 (unmarried, no children): additional $100,000 each.
- Children under 18: additional $25,000 each.
- Adult children: no extra financial requirement, but must be listed.
For a family of four (applicant, spouse, two children under 18), the Treasury contribution totals $500,000.
Future phases may introduce additional qualifying investment categories to align with evolving economic priorities.
Economic rationale
- Immediate inflows – Treasury contributions generate foreign‑currency receipts to support fiscal and monetary objectives.
- Long‑term financing – Bond investments provide capital for government financing over a longer horizon.
Citizenship benefits
- The Argentine passport offers visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to more than 160 countries (according to Latitude’s count).
- Through MERCOSUR and other regional mobility arrangements, citizens enjoy preferential residence rights across much of South America, facilitating relatively simple pathways to live, work, study, or start a business in participating countries.
Governance and due‑diligence framework
- The program is administered by the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs (ACIP), a decentralized body under the Ministry of Economy.
- Due‑diligence standards will align with OECD and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations.
- Application assessments involve the State Intelligence Secretariat, the Financial Information Unit, the Ministries of Security and the Interior, and international due‑diligence experts. Checks cover identity verification, source‑of‑funds traceability, asset ownership, jurisdictional risk, criminal and reputational records, and immigration history.
- After ACIP’s review, a recommendation is sent to the National Directorate of Migration, which makes the final approval decision. All funds must flow through the formal financial system and comply with anti‑money‑laundering, counter‑terrorist financing, and financial‑transparency regulations.
Timeline and next steps
- October 2, 2025 – Argentina’s Minister of Economy announced the upcoming CBI program in Paris.
- May 15, 2026 – AMIGO Ltd. signed a non‑onerous technical collaboration agreement with ACIP, formalising the consortium’s advisory role.
- Q4 2026 – Expected opening of the application window; final rules, procedures, and exact commencement date are pending publication.
Prospective applicants should prepare source‑of‑funds documentation and assess family composition against the two investment routes. The program’s design emphasizes transparency, operational flexibility, and alignment with international compliance standards.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
