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Compare Residency and Citizenship in South America
Curious about which country is the fastest and easiest to get Citizenship in South America?
Here’s a breakdown of the main options:
When considering moving to South America, the choice of country can affect how quickly you can get permanent residency, the path to citizenship, and the flexibility to live there with or without exit and re-entry restrictions.
Argentina - Fastest but Strict Residency Rules
Speed to Citizenship: Fastest in the region. After two years of approved residency, you can apply for naturalization, making it 3-4 years in total.
Requirements: Must remain in Argentina without any extended exits under the new regulations announced by the administration of Javier Millei.
Drawback for Family Members: Argentina does not grant citizenship or passports to children under 18 years of age.
Best for: Applicants seeking rapid citizenship with a stable passive income, particularly through the Rentista program (passive income).
Flexibility: Residency rules are strict, meaning you must stay full-time during the residency period before applying for citizenship; otherwise, the countdown toward citizenship will reset to zero.
Brazil - Best for Citizenship by Baby Birth
Speed to Citizenship: Having a child born in Brazil or being married to a native Brazilian can reduce the Brazilian citizenship period to 3-4 years. Other programs are slower, typically taking 5-6 years.
Requirements for other residency pathways:
– Four years of temporary residency (other programs).
– One year of permanent residency (by marriage or by baby birth).
– Citizenship processing (1-2 years).
– Must reside approximately 9 months per year to maintain residency (a little flexible than Argentina).
Family Benefit: Children as young as 10 can eventually obtain a Brazilian passport.
Best for: Applicants looking to set up a business in Brazil, obtain an invitation letter from their own company, have a baby born in Brazil, receive flexible permanent residency, and apply for citizenship after one year of permanent residency. Foreign children minor 10 years old who came with their parents can obtain a temporary passport until age 18 and obtain a permanent passport upon reaching 18 years old.
Paraguay – Least Requirements for Residency
Citizenship: With an investment of $70,000 USD or more, you can obtain three years of super-flexible permanent residency, then apply for Paraguayan citizenship by Naturalization, total making 5-6 years.
Requirements:
– Hire five local residents during the investment period to maintain permanent residency eligibility for three years, and then apply for Paraguayan Citizenship.
– For investments below $70,000, temporary residency is available, followed by permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
Advantages:
-Very low taxes (approx. 10%), making it attractive for business owners.
– Flexible stay requirements – part-time presence is sufficient (even one day per year).
Best for: Investors and entrepreneurs seeking low-tax, flexible residency while still aiming for Paraguay citizenship.
Uruguay - Longer Process, but with a Stable Economy
Speed to Citizenship: Standard is 5–6 years (for singles), reduced to 3–4 years of permanent residency if staying with family.
Requirements:
– Stable income of $1,500 USD per month (can be salary, dividends, rent, etc.).
– Clean criminal record.
Advantages:
– Highly stable economy, Latin American Switzerland
– Offers a 10-year tax holiday for newcomers or 7% flat lifetime income tax.
– Can set up companies remotely and possibly open bank accounts remotely (need confirmation with HSBC banks in Uruguay).
Best for: Families or retirees seeking stability, tax benefits, and quality of life.
Comparison Summary Table
| Country | Citizenship Timeline | Residency Flexibility | Family Benefits | Tax & Business Advantages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 3-4 years (all programs) | Strict (must stay full-time) | Children under 18 cannot get citizenship | Moderate | Fast citizenship seekers |
| Brazil | 5-6 years; 3-4 years by babybirth or marriage | Medium (9 months stay/year) | Children can get passports | Moderate | Flexible families with minor children |
| Paraguay | 5-6 years (with investment) | Flexible (part-time ok) | Good for investors | Very low taxes | Investors, entrepreneurs |
| Uruguay | 5-6 years (singles); (4-5 years with family) | Medium | Full family benefits | 10-year tax holiday, stable economy | Families, retirees |
How to Prepare Passive Income Documents?
For applicants who need to show passive income for Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, or Paraguay, we offer online company registration services in Hong Kong.
Remote Company Registration Services in Hong Kong
– Online Company Registration: Fully remote setup for a company.
– Online Bank Account: Corporate bank account setup available remotely.
– Benefit for Argentine/Uruguay Residency Program: Generate dividends or rental income to apply for residency in Argentina and other Latin American countries.
Indonesia - Fast Residency for Visa Application at the Consulate
– Temporary Residency: Quick Company Registration and Bank Account setup for investors or entrepreneurs within one month.
– Investor Residency (KITAS): 2-year visa, renewable
– Benefit for Argentine/Uruguay Residency Program:
I. Obtain the documents proof of passive income for Argentina’s Rentista Program.
II. Apostille company documents and Power of Attorney directly at local Indonesian authorities (no consular attestation required).
III. Obtain an entry permit to enter Argentina as a resident (not as a tourist) from the National Directorate of Migration in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
IV. Apply for an entry visa at the Argentine Consulate in Jakarta using the entry authorization issued by the Argentine government.
Malaysia (MM2H Program) - High Living Standards and Property Investment
– Residency: Long-term visa under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program.
– Property Investment: Freehold or leasehold property ownership available.
– Benefit for Argentine/Uruguay Residency Program: Generate income from property rent for Argentina Rentista Residency or Uruguay permanent residency.
– Highlight: Kuala Lumpur is an excellent city – safe, modern, highly connected internationally, with lower costs and higher living standards, as well as a vibrant expat community.
Best Residency and Citizenship Options in South America & Strategic Global Solutions
Fastest citizenship: Argentina (3–4 years, no exit)
Most flexible residency: Paraguay (5–6 years to citizenship, minimum stay 1 day per year)
Best for family & stability: Uruguay and Brazil (4–5 years to citizenship, with exit allowed up to 3 months)
Best for online business and bank registration without physical presence: Hong Kong. In Uruguay/Paraguay, business registration is online, but bank registration requires physical presence.
Malaysia – Best for long-term property investment with a stable economy and high living standards: Also suitable for showing property rental income to show for Argentine Rentista residency
Indonesia: Best for fast/easy residency, apostilled documents, company setup, and demonstrating dividend income for the Argentina Rentista program, and apply for an Argentine Visa at the consulate in Jakarta.
