Entry Authorization to Argentina for Legal Residency

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 something called an Entry Permit, 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 pathways, this document is the first formal step toward obtaining legal residence and, eventually, Argentine nationality.

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

Foreigners living outside Argentina can apply for an Entry Permit through the National Immigration Directorate. This permit must be presented at the Argentine consulate in the applicant’s country of residence to obtain the appropriate entry visa.

Once granted, the applicant enters Argentina under an authorized immigration category. 

You apply for the Entry Permit with power of attorney through us, while you’re still in your 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 exploring immigration to Argentina, whether through Argentina residency by investment, family-based immigration, or those planning to move to Argentina for work or study, 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.

Entry Authorization Review by National Immigration Directorate

The National Immigration Directorate in Argentina reviews your documentation. If approved, they will issue the Entry Authorization, 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 Argentina immigration, whether through Argentina residency by investment or a 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 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 visa.

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 Argentina 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

Legalized by the corresponding Translator’s Association.

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.

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