Argentina is preparing its first citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) programme in South America. Enacted through Citizenship Law 346 and amended by Decrees 366/2025 and 524/2025, the framework allows foreign investors to obtain Argentine citizenship by making a “relevant” investment, bypassing the usual two‑year residency requirement. As of 23 September 2026 the programme is still under legal and constitutional review and is not open for public applications.
Legal framework
- Decree 366/2025 adds Article 2 bis to Law 346, permitting citizenship through investment and moving the authority to process applications from the federal judiciary to the National Directorate of Migration (DNM). It also creates the Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión (APCI) within the Ministry of Economy to define qualifying investments and conduct security checks.
- Decree 524/2025 (published 31 July 2025) outlines the review procedure: the APCI assesses the investment, requests background reports from security, criminal‑record, intelligence and financial agencies, and then forwards a recommendation to the DNM, which must issue a reasoned decision within 30 business days.
- Federal courts have ruled Decree 366/2025 unconstitutional, questioning the executive’s authority to alter citizenship rules. The government has appealed to the Supreme Court, and the National Electoral Chamber has also issued a contrary ruling. The legal status therefore remains uncertain.
Potential benefits of Argentine citizenship
- Accelerated pathway – the CBI route would eliminate the two‑year continuous residence requirement required for ordinary naturalisation.
- Travel – an Argentine passport provides visa‑free access to 109 countries (including the Schengen area) and visa‑on‑arrival or eTA entry to 72 countries.
- MERCOSUR rights – citizens can live and work without a visa in Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and other MERCOSUR members.
- Business environment – Argentina’s growing sectors (agriculture, technology, tourism, energy, mining) could be attractive to investors.
- Dual citizenship – Argentina permits multiple nationalities, so investors can retain their original citizenship where allowed.
Investment options (proposed)
| Option | Minimum amount (USD) | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Treasury contribution | $350,000 | Non‑refundable payment to the National Treasury |
| Government bond | $800,000 | Purchase of a programme‑specific sovereign security |
Dependent fees (proposed)
- Spouse: $100,000
- Unmarried children 18‑25: $100,000 each
- Children under 18: $25,000 each
The exact thresholds, eligible assets, holding periods and refundability are still to be confirmed by the Ministry of Economy.
Eligibility (as currently understood)
- Foreign nationals capable of making a qualifying investment as defined by the APCI.
- Applicants will undergo a detailed security, financial and criminal‑background assessment coordinated with the State Intelligence Secretariat, the Financial Information Unit, the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of the Interior.
- Specific personal criteria (age, health, criminal record, etc.) have not yet been published.
Required documentation (preliminary checklist)
- Proof of the qualifying investment (receipt, bond certificate, etc.)
- Identity and civil‑status documents (passport, birth/marriage certificates)
- Financial and banking records demonstrating source of funds
- Business ownership documents (if applicable)
- Family relationship documents for dependents
The final document list will be issued once the programme’s regulations are formalised.
Application process (draft)
- Program availability – confirm that the CBI scheme is officially open and that all court challenges have been resolved.
- Investment validation – the Ministry of Economy must certify the investment as “relevant.”
- Submission – file the application with the APCI, including all required documents and fees.
- Due‑diligence – the APCI requests background reports from security, intelligence, financial‑intelligence and criminal‑record agencies.
- Recommendation – the APCI forwards its assessment to the DNM.
- Decision – the DNM issues a reasoned decision to grant or refuse citizenship (maximum 30 business days after receiving the complete report).
Processing time
The decree‑based timeline gives the DNM up to 30 business days to decide after receiving the APCI’s full report. No overall processing time has been published because the programme is not yet operational.
Tax considerations
- Citizenship does not automatically create tax residency.
- Argentine tax residency is triggered by any of the following:
- Physical presence of more than 183 days in a calendar year (short absences do not break continuity).
- Having the centre of economic or personal interests in Argentina.
- Holding Argentine permanent residence or citizenship, even while abroad.
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non‑residents are taxed only on Argentine‑source income.
- Argentina has double‑taxation treaties with over 20 countries (e.g., United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, France). Professional cross‑border tax advice is recommended before committing funds.
Outstanding risks and unanswered questions
- Legal status – pending constitutional challenges and Supreme Court review.
- Program launch – no official opening date; investment thresholds, eligible sectors and currency requirements may change.
- Investment protection – unclear whether funds are refundable or what happens if an application is denied.
- Holding period – no information on the minimum duration the investment must be maintained.
- Fees – government, due‑diligence and professional fees have not been disclosed.
- Family inclusion – exact eligibility, age limits and fees for dependents remain unconfirmed.
- Residency obligations – it is not yet known whether any interview, biometric, or physical‑presence requirements will apply.
Prospective investors should refrain from transferring funds or signing agreements until the programme is officially opened and all regulatory details are published. Continuous monitoring of official announcements and consultation with qualified immigration and tax professionals are essential.
Source article: www.globalcitizensolutions.com
