Argentina Nationality by Descent/Babybirth/ Marriage/Naturalization
According to Argentine Citizenship Law No. 346, Title 1, Article 1, The following individuals are eligible for Argentine Citizenship:
1° All individuals born or to be born in the territory of the
Argentine Republic, regardless of the nationality of their parents, except the children of foreign Ministers and members of the Legation residing in the Republic (Children of Diplomats are not eligible).
2° The children of native Argentines born in a foreign country opt for citizenship of origin.
3° Those born in the Legations and warships of the Republic.
4° Those born in the republics that formed part of the
United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, before their emancipation, and who have resided in the Nation’s territory, expressed their will for the Argentine Citizenship.
5° Those born in neutral seas under the Argentine flag.
In other words, individuals with at least one Argentine parent are eligible for Argentina citizenship by descent under the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). This law enables people to claim Argentinian citizenship even if they are born outside the country.
For people over 18 to obtain the nationality of Argentina by descent, the following documents are required:
- An application,
- Valid identification document,
- Birth certificate of the applicant, which must be accompanied by an apostille.
Additionally, under the Argentine citizenship by Option, children of Argentine natives can also choose to acquire citizenship later in life.
Spouses, children, and parents of Argentine citizens (whether by birth or naturalization) are eligible for permanent residence in Argentina and can apply for citizenship more easily. This law highlights Argentina’s family-centered approach to citizenship, making it easier for those with direct ties to Argentine citizens to gain Argentina immigration status.
Here is the most updated amendment to Law No. 25,871 by Migration (Decree 70/2017, Buenos Aires, 01/27/2017).
Argentina Nationality by Descent
Here is a hypothetical example that we came up with to make things more understandable. The client’s name is Emma Garcia, daughter of Laura Martinez, who is the daughter of Francisco Martinez. Emma’s grandfather was an Argentine citizen, but he has since passed away, and they need assistance obtaining a certified copy of his birth certificate from Argentina. Following that, they would like to obtain Argentine nationality for her mother, Laura Martinez, and then for herself, Emma Garcia.
Francisco was born in Salta, Argentina, and lived there for nine years before moving to Syria. His brother and uncle remained in Argentina and have both since passed away.
Sixteen years ago, a family member of his brother Roberto, who also lived in Syria, traveled to Argentina but was unable to locate the records. Our company helped with this situation and assisted Emma Garcia in obtaining Argentine nationality through her parents.
Here is the solution for this situation: nowadays, it is not possible to get the original copy of the grandfather’s birth certificate. Instead, an electronic copy will be available. This electronic copy will be sufficient to process Laura’s citizenship. First, it needs to be apostilled and then used for the citizenship process. It is important to note that Emma cannot obtain Argentine citizenship directly through her grandfather; she needs to obtain Argentine nationality for her mother, Laura, and then for herself. After approximately 1.5 years, when Laura has her citizenship approved, Emma can start her citizenship process, which will also take about 1.5 years.
As you noted, the citizenship must be through direct relatives, such as parent to child or husband to wife. No brother or sister, nor grandfather, can directly pass on citizenship. Only direct relatives can obtain Argentine nationality.
Argentine Citizenship through ChildBirth and Residency
Every person born in Argentine territory is considered an Argentinian national. Children born abroad to Argentine citizens can choose the nationality of Argentina. Foreigners who have lived in Argentina for two uninterrupted years may acquire citizenship by naturalization.
Here are some key provisions from the Constitution of Argentina and related laws:
Constitution of 1949: Individuals who enter Argentina legally can enjoy the same rights as locals. After two years of residency, they can apply for Argentina citizenship. It was modified by Decreto 70/2017 Modificación. Ley N° 25.871. The decree notes that an applicant must have maintained continuous permanent or temporary residency for two years to be eligible to count toward the residency requirement for naturalization.
ARTÍCULO 27. — Sustitúyese el inciso 1° del artículo 2° de la Ley N° 346 por el siguiente:
“1°. Los extranjeros mayores de DIECIOCHO (18) años que acrediten haber residido en la REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA de acuerdo al marco normativo migratorio vigente, como residentes permanentes o temporarios, en forma continua durante los DOS (2) años anteriores a la solicitud y manifestasen ante los jueces federales su voluntad de serlo.”Law No. 346 (1869): If you are born in Argentina or born abroad to Argentine parents, you are an Argentine citizen. This also applies to those born in Argentine embassies or on Argentine ships abroad.
Citizenship by Naturalization: Foreigners over 18 who have lived in Argentina for two years can apply for citizenship. Those who contribute to the country (e.g., serving in the army or bringing new industries) may receive citizenship faster.
“2° Los estranjeros que acrediten dichos jueces haber prestado, cualquiera que sea el tiempo de su residencia, algunos de los servicios siguientes: LEY 346 2 COMPENDIO ELECTORAL 2017 1° Haber desempeñado con honradez empleos de la Nación, o de las provincias, dentro o fuera de la República. 2° Haber servido en el Ejército o en la escuadra, o haber asistido a una función de guerra en defensa de la Nación. 3° Haber establecido en el país una nueva industria, o introducido una invención útil. 4° Ser empresario o constructor de ferrocarriles en cualquiera de las provincias. 5° Hallarse formando parte de las colonias establecidas o que en adelante se establecieran, ya sea en territorios nacionales o en los de las provincias, con tal de que posean en ellas alguna propiedad raíz. 6° Habitar o poblar territorios nacionales en las líneas actuales de frontera ó fuera de ellas. 7° Haberse casado con mujer argentina en cualquiera de las Provincias. 8° Ejercer en ellas el profesorado en cualquiera de los ramos de la educación ó de la industria.”
You may apply for citizenship earlier—even before completing the required two consecutive residency periods in Argentina—in the following cases:
1) Worked honestly for the national or provincial government.
2) Served in the Army or Navy, or helped defend the country in a war.
3) Started a new industry or introduced an important invention.
4) Been a big investor or helped build railroads.
5) Helped develop new settlements by owning property in colonies.
6) Settled in border areas or other national territories.
7) Married an Argentine citizen.
8) Worked as a teacher in any educational or technical field.
Children of Citizens: Children over 18+ whose parents become Naturalized citizens can also obtain Argentine citizenship under certain conditions.
“Artículo 3: El hijo del ciudadano naturalizado que fuere menor de edad, al tiempo de la naturalización de su padre, y hubiese nacido en país estranjero, puede obtener del Juez Federal la carta de ciudadanía por el hecho de haberse enrolado en la Guardia nacional en el tiempo que la ley dispone.”
Argentine Citizenship Processing Steps and Time Frame
If you are a resident of a foreign country and have the jus sanguinis (right of blood) to process your Argentine citizenship, you can do so at the local Argentine consulate. However, some consulates may have limited resources and may not be able to handle all inquiries, focusing primarily on government-level tasks. In such cases, you can travel to Argentina and apply for citizenship in person at a civil court.
Here’s A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Proceed:
Appointment at Civil Court: Use Argentina’s new online system to book an appointment at the Secretaría. Wait for confirmation of your appointment, which typically takes about a month.
Prepare Your Documents: Once your appointment is confirmed, gather your original documents to present at the court.
Submit Your Documents: Go to the court on the date of your appointment, submit your documents at the reception, and wait for them to be confirmed by the Secretaría.
Stay in Argentina: After your documents are confirmed, you can either return to your home country or travel within Argentina. However, it is advisable to remain in Argentina, as the court will issue orders for background checks, including fingerprint collection at the Registro Civil and Federal Police, as well as publications in national newspapers. Nowadays, as of March 2025, prosecutors are requesting your residency status during the Argentine citizenship process. Read here for more details about citizenship processing timelines.
Complete Required Steps: These background checks and verifications typically take about 4 to 6 months. After completing these processes, you will be free to travel anywhere in the world until your citizenship is approved.
Swearing-In Ceremony: Once your Argentine nationality is approved, you will need to return to Argentina to swear allegiance in front of the court.
Obtain Your Passport: After receiving your citizenship approval letter, you can go to RENAPER to print your Argentine passport, which is visa-free for 170 Countries Globally.
Throughout this process, you can manage many tasks remotely, and you do not need to remain physically present in Argentina after the initial steps. If you need assistance with any part of this process, feel free to contact us.
The Crucial Role of Residency in Argentina for Citizenship Applications
- Coordination with Migraciones: During the background check, the court will coordinate with the immigration authority (Migraciones) to verify your residency status.
- Impact of Being Outside the Country: If you are not in Argentina, the court will delay your case until they receive confirmation from Migraciones that you have returned. This can lead to your case being archived, meaning it may get pushed down the list as new cases come in, potentially resulting in significant delays.
- Importance of Presence: Being in Argentina during the background check is crucial for a timely process.
- Planning Your Stay: It is advisable to plan your six-month stay in Argentina carefully to ensure a smooth and efficient citizenship application process.
Tax Considerations for Foreign Nationals Becoming Argentinian Citizens
When foreign nationals acquire Argentinian citizenship, one common concern is whether they will need to pay taxes on income generated in their home country. This issue depends on several factors. Key considerations include the source of the income, existing double taxation agreements between Argentina and the foreign national’s home country, and any special tax regimes for naturalized citizens. Additionally, the taxpayer’s residency status in Argentina may play a significant role in determining their tax obligations.
Fortunately, if a tax treaty exists between Argentina and the individual’s country of origin, it helps avoid double taxation. This means that income taxes already paid in the home country may exempt the individual from paying the same taxes in Argentina. Argentina has signed such treaties with many countries to protect against double taxation, ensuring that income is not taxed twice across borders. For those seeking more information, a comprehensive list of countries with tax agreements with Argentina can be found on the official government website.
Quick and Easy Argentine Passport with Instant Delivery
If you have already obtained Argentine nationality or are an Argentine citizen by birth, and your Argentine passport is expired or about to expire, this article explains how and where to obtain/renew your Argentine passport instantly.
For example, if your child was born in Argentina and you need to get a passport for them immediately, you can travel to the nearest airport listed below. Similarly, if you have been traveling abroad with your Argentine passport and need to renew it, you can do so at the designated airports in just 15 minutes.
With our instant service, you can get your passport in just a few hours at certain airports. No need for an appointment—just show your ID and complete the simple steps.
Who Can Use This Service?
• Travelers: This service is for Argentine Nationals traveling abroad.
• MERCOSUR Countries: If you travel to a MERCOSUR country, you can use your national ID instead of a passport. Note: There are two types of Argentinian national ID cards (DNI). One is for Argentinian nationals, which says “Argentino” on the card. The other is for foreigners, and it is clearly marked as “Extranjero”.
If you are a foreigner with Argentinian permanent residency but have not obtained Argentinian nationality yet, your ID card will still say “Extranjero” (Foreigner). In this case, you cannot travel within Mercosur using only your ID card. You must either use your foreign passport or obtain Argentinian nationality to travel freely with your ID card.
Passport Options
You have different choices depending on how fast you need your Argentine passport:
• Standard Passport:
– Ready in 4 days (96 hours).
– Costs $ARS 30,000.
– Book an appointment using the Mi Argentina app.
• 24-Hour Passport:
– Available only at the NOA Renaper office in San Miguel de Tucumán.
– Costs $ARS 45,000.
– Appointment needed.
• Instant Passport:
– The process takes 15 minutes.
– Delivered within 2 to 6 hours.
– Costs $ARS 250,000.
– Pay with a credit or debit card at the airport (no cash).
Instant Argentine Passport: Requirements and Eligibility
Required Documents
To obtain an instant Argentine passport, you must provide a national ID (DNI) with permanent residency and “Argentino” (nationality) written on the card.
Restrictions for New Citizens
According to the rules for obtaining an ID in Argentina, once your Argentine citizenship is approved, you receive the Argentine passport first (in the City of Buenos Aires, not at airports) and then obtain your national DNI. Because of this process, the instant passport service is not available for those who have just had their Argentine citizenship approved by the Federal Civil Court of Argentina.
Who Is Eligible?
• Naturalized Argentinians who are renewing their passports and already have a national ID.
• Children born in Argentina who need an instant passport.
• Argentinians traveling abroad whose passports have expired or run out of visa pages.
Where Can You Renew Your Passport?
Eligible individuals can renew their passports in just 15 minutes at designated airports before returning to their country of current residence.
What Documents Need to Be Submitted
For Adults (18 and over)
• A valid national ID.
• It helps to bring your old passport, but it is not required.
For Minors (Under 18)
• A valid national ID.
• Original or certified copy of the birth certificate.
• A parent or legal guardian must go with you.Other documents may be needed if your parents cannot come with you.
Where to Apply
You can go to any of these airports without an appointment:
• Ezeiza Airport:
– Open 24 hours a day.
– Look for the service near the parking lot.
• Jorge Newbery Airport:
– Available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Rosario Airport:
– Monday to Friday: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
– Weekends & Holidays: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Córdoba Airport:
– Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
– Weekends & Holidays: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Mendoza Airport:
– Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
– Weekends & Holidays: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Salta Airport:
– Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
How It Works
1. Apply at the Airport: Visit one of the listed airports with your documents.
2. Quick Processing: Your passport application is processed in just 15 minutes.
3. Fast Delivery: You will receive your passport within 2 to 6 hours (subject to document checks).
Argentine Passport Validity
• Adults: Your passport is valid for 10 years.
• Minors: Your passport is valid for 5 years.
This service is designed to make getting your Argentine passport simple and fast, so you can travel without any worries!