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Entry Authorization to Argentina for Legal Residency
To enter Argentina legally and stay long-term as a resident, you need to apply for an Entry Permit. This permit becomes valid once you arrive in Argentina, and it is usually valid for one year, depending on your residency category.
How to apply:
1 ) With the power of attorney, we can make the application on your behalf as the foreigner’s legal representative, or your close relative can apply for an entry permit on your behalf.
2 ) Applications may be submitted at:
a ) The Argentine consulate abroad (if they have entry permit services),
b ) The National Immigration Office (DNM) in Argentina.
Who grants permits and visas?
The National Immigration Office in Buenos Aires issues entry permits for you to process the same category permanent, temporary, or short-term entry visas at consulates. After your arrival, we will assist you in changing your same category visas (not tourist visa) to the same category of residency.
Why Do I Need a Permiso de Ingreso?
A Permiso de Ingreso (Entry Permit) is required because it allows the Argentine government to review your documents in advance and confirm that you are eligible for the residence program you want to apply for. Once approved, the consulate will conduct final checks, including verification of financial capacity and a criminal background check.
Let’s break down a little bit what this means:
In the Entry Permit authorization letter, there are no requirements for a criminal background check. Because that part is handled later by the consul when you attend your appointment at the consulate. Migraciones manages the Entry Permit process in Buenos Aires, where the government reviews your documents to confirm if you are eligible for the program you want to apply for.
If everything is in order, Migraciones will inform the consul that your documents meet the program’s requirements. At that stage, the consul focuses on additional checks — for example, whether you are financially able to support yourself during your stay in Argentina, and whether you have any criminal background. In this way, the consul can feel confident that your documents have already been reviewed by the Migration Directorate headquarters in Buenos Aires, and can then confidently proceed with your entry visa as long as the other required documents are in order.
In short, the Entry Permit is the government’s way of checking your documents in advance, before your appointment at the consulate for the interview. Read about the possible risks below in this article that may happen if you enter as a tourist, but not in the same category.
Immigration to Argentina with an Official Entry Authorization
If you want to move to Argentina with your family, whether for work, study, or to start a new chapter, you’ll need an Entry Permit to make things correctly, also referred to as an Entry Authorization to Argentina, to enter correctly. This process is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended to improve your chances of entry visa approval at the consulate. For those interested in Argentina immigration, this document is the first formal step to make sure if you are eligible or not, to have the Argentine Government to check and verify your documents. After your physical arrival in Buenos Aires, this has to be changed to the legal residence, and, eventually, leads to Argentine nationality after two years.
This is also an important starting point if you’re considering Argentina residency by investment or planning long-term relocation under one of the Argentina Residency programs.
Here’s how it works, step by step:
How to Apply for an Entry Authorization to Argentina
Obviously, as a foreigner living outside Argentina, you can apply for an Entry Permit through the National Immigration Directorate using a Power of Attorney. This permit must be presented at the Argentine consulate in the applicant’s country of residence to obtain the same category entry visa.
Once granted, the applicant enters Argentina under an authorized immigration category.
In other words, you can apply for the Entry Permit through us using a Power of Attorney while you are still in your home country. This can be done by proxy through the National Immigration Directorate in Argentina. You do not need to be physically present in Argentina to begin. Instead, an authorized representative, usually through a power of attorney, can submit your Entry Permit application on your behalf.
If you are exploring immigration to Argentina, whether through Argentina residency by investment, family-based immigration, or planning to move to Argentina for work or study. In that case, this is where the process begins. It’s also a key step toward securing an Argentine nationality through long-term legal residence or citizenship by investment.
Legal Rules for Entering and Living in Argentina
Argentina’s immigration rules are based on Law 25,871 (updated by Decree 366/25) and are managed by the National Directorate of Migration (DNM). This law makes sure that all foreigners applying for permanent, temporary, or transitory residency are treated fairly and without discrimination, while also protecting their human rights under the Constitution and international agreements.
When someone applies to enter Argentina, the DNM checks that they meet all requirements and that there are no immigration restrictions. If everything is in order, the request is approved, and the person can be admitted under the correct residency category (for example, student, worker, or any other temporary residence). These decisions are made using the legal powers given to the DNM, which provides the official basis for authorizing foreign nationals to live in Argentina legally.
Entry Authorization Review by National Immigration Directorate
The National Immigration Directorate in Argentina reviews your documentation. If approved, they will issue the Entry Authorization (Entry Permit Sample), allowing you to proceed with your entry visa stamp at the Argentine consulate in your country of residence. This step is essential for those pursuing immigration to Argentina, whether through residency by investment or any other long-term relocation plan.
Presenting Your Entry Authorization to Argentina at the Consulate
You present the Entry Permit to the Argentine consulate at your current place of residence. The consulate processes your entry visa in the appropriate Argentina immigration category. For example, if you plan to apply for a student permit in Argentina, you will receive an Entry Permit that allows you to enter as a foreign student, not as a tourist. This distinction is critical; if immigration officers suspect that your true intention is immigration to Argentina, but at the border you claim to be entering as a tourist, they may deny you entry and send you back on the same flight. This is especially important for those pursuing Argentina residency, whether through education, family sponsorship, or long-term goals like obtaining an Argentina passport.
Required Documentation
You must provide a notarized and legalized copy of all documents required for your chosen Argentina residency program. Each immigration category has its own specific documentation, depending on whether you’re applying through family reunification, investment, study, or other legal pathways.
To determine which Argentina immigration program best fits your case, please consult with us directly. For a general overview of available options, visit: https://immi.legal/how-to-immigrate-to-argentina/
Legalization Requirements for Argentina Immigration Entry Permit
1) Apostilled or legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then attested by the Argentine Consulate in your country of residence
2) Translated into Spanish by a certified national public translator in Argentina
These steps are essential for anyone applying for an Entry Permit as part of the Argentina immigration process, whether for Argentina residency, study, family reunification, or through an investment program.
Types of Long-Term Residency Entry Permits
1. Permanent Entry Permit
Children born abroad to native, naturalized, or “chosen” Argentine parents are eligible to obtain permanent residency in Argentina. As part of the Argentina immigration process, they can apply for a permanent Entry Permit to secure their legal entry at the borders. This is considered one of the most direct and accessible pathways to Argentine nationality and, eventually, Argentine citizenship.
Requested by:
The Argentine parent, or a legal representative acting on their behalf with a power of attorney, can initiate the application. This family-reunification route is especially relevant for those seeking Argentina’s permanent residency.
2. Types of Temporary Residency Entry Permits
2.1. Family Reunification Entry Permit
Spouses, parents, or single children (under 18 or with disabilities) of Argentine citizens or residents with temporary or permanent status can enter with a Family Reunification Entry Permit based on family ties. This pathway is one of the most common and accessible options for those pursuing Argentina immigration through family-based residency.
It provides a clear legal route toward Argentina residency, leading to Argentina citizenship and even an Argentina passport, especially for those seeking long-term settlement through familial connections.
2.2. Rentista or Pensioner (Income-Based)
Foreigners who receive a stable income or pension from abroad, equivalent to at least five times the Argentine minimum wage, are eligible to apply for a residency entry permit under the same category through the National Migration Directorate.
This route is ideal for retirees or entrepreneurs with passive income who are considering Argentina residency by the rentista program or seeking to relocate under a pensionado program. It’s a favored option for those looking to establish long-term Argentina immigration status without formal employment, with the potential to later apply for an Argentina passport.
2.3. Students (Official Education)
Enrolled students at officially registered at Re.Nu.Re academic organisations in Argentina can also request a student entry permit. This is a formal requirement for those entering under the student category, rather than as tourists, and is a key step in the Argentina immigration process for educational purposes.
In this case, the host university or academic institution is responsible for initiating the Entry Permit on your behalf. The institution will send an official invitation letter to the Argentine consulate through the government’s digital platform TAD and issue a Constancia de Inscripción (proof of enrollment) to the student.
With proper authorization from the university and a power of attorney, we can also assist in processing your entry permit, or the university may handle it directly. This route is ideal for those pursuing a student permit in Argentina with the long-term goal of obtaining Argentine residency through study.
2.4. MERCOSUR Nationals
Citizens of MERCOSUR countries may also request an Entry Permit from the National Migration Directorate. This allows them to enter under the same immigration category as their intended residency status in Argentina, ensuring proper legal entry at the border.
This streamlined pathway is often used by those looking to establish Argentina residency, with many applicants ultimately pursuing permanent residency or even Argentina citizenship. It is a widely utilized option within the regional framework of Argentina immigration agreements.
3. Transitory Entry Permits
3.1. Nomad Visa or Short-term Spanish language transitorial residency entry permit
Foreigners providing remote services to clients abroad who wish to enter Argentina for remote work purposes, as well as students enrolling in courses outside the official education system (even at recognized institutions), are eligible to enter with an Entry Authorization directly from the Argentine Government in Buenos Aires.
This pathway supports individuals seeking a flexible lifestyle while living in Argentina. If you’re planning to live and work remotely in the country, the Nomad Visa is a growing Argentina immigration option designed specifically for digital workers and freelancers.
Though this type of permit may not lead directly to Argentine residency, it can be a practical starting point for those exploring long-term stay options, and may eventually serve as a stepping stone toward other legal residency categories.
Important Notes
Documents issued abroad must be:
– Endorsed by the Argentine consulate in the country of origin or
– Stamped with the Hague Apostille.
Any documents in a language other than Spanish must be:
– Translated by a national public translator in Argentina and
Additional Requirements
– A photocopy of your full passport must be submitted.
– If applicable, the requesting entity must be registered in the Single National Registry of Applicants (RENURE), and the representative must be registered and credentialed per DNM Provision 32.689/2004.
This Entry Permit is like a green light , it means Argentina already said “yes,” so it’s much easier for the consulate to approve your entry visa. For those considering Argentina citizenship by investment or other immigration options, it’s a key early step in the journey toward an Argentina passport.
To discuss details, we kindly ask you to book a consultation. During the consultation, we will review your case and provide a list of required documents.
Looking forward to your confirmation.
