How to Immigrate to Argentina: Residency & Citizenship Pathways
Move to Argentina Legally & Easily with Our Expert Immigration Services
If you’re wondering how to immigrate to Argentina, there are multiple ways to obtain Argentine citizenship. Whether through marriage, by baby-birth, or temporary residency, Argentina offers flexible immigration options to suit different needs.
1. Marriage to an Argentinian citizen
Marrying an Argentinian citizen allows you to apply for Argentinian nationality immediately.
Requires apostilled non-criminal records from your home country.
Processing time: 8 to 24 months.
2. Having a baby in Argentina
Baby is born in Argentina, they automatically become an Argentinian citizen. As the parent of an Argentinian citizen, you are also eligible to apply for Argentinian citizenship immediately.
Requires apostilled non-criminal records from your home country.
Processing time: 8 to 24 months.
3. Residency for two years
If you live in Argentina for two years, you can then apply for citizenship. Read more…
Our certified immigration professionals provide step-by-step guidance to ensure a smooth and legal move. We assist with visas, residency, and citizenship applications tailored to your specific needs.
Now, let’s break down the third option—how to stay in Argentina for two years. There are different programs to legalize your stay:
Argentina Residency Programs
1. Rentista Residency Program (Best for Passive Income Earners)
For individuals earning $2,000+ per month from dividends or property rentals (not salaried income)
Funds must be transferred monthly from an overseas account to an Argentine bank.
Requires document legalization & translation before submission.
Eligible for Argentine citizenship after two years of residency.
Argentina Rentista Visa and Legalization Details
For the Rentista program, you must have an income from outside Argentina. This income must come from dividends as a business owner or property rental as an owner, and it must be a monthly income.
In other words, the income must be a benefit you receive from assets incorporated to the applicant’s patrimony. For example, financial instruments, real estate, shares in companies, or other items are available at the discretion of the GENERAL DIRECTION OF IMMIGRATION.
Please note, that this can’t be your salary. Likewise, own resources deposited in bank accounts abroad shall be admissible, provided that the legality of the origin of such funds is undoubtedly evidenced.
If you’re eligible for this program, after the legalization and translation of your documents, we will submit them to the Central Office of the Government Migration Department in Buenos Aires and accompany you on each step until your case is securely approved.
2. Work Visa & Company Formation (Best for Entrepreneurs)
Set up a legal business in Argentina with a CUIT (Tax ID).
Hire yourself or your business partners as an employee to obtain a work permit.
Monthly employee tax: $200–$300.
The company must remain real and active to maintain residency.
Eligible for citizenship after two years.
You can set up a company in Argentina with a foreign passport, and then hire yourself or your business partners as an employee. However, as an employee, you will need to pay employee tax, which varies based on your salary. On average, the tax is around $200 to $300 USD per month.
It is important to keep the company active and operational. Because immigration officers may inspect to ensure it is not a shell company set up solely for immigration purposes. If the company is found inactive or fraudulent, immigration authorities may cancel your residency. However, if the company is genuine, no issues should arise.
Setting up the company takes about 1-2 months to complete. Once registered, the next step is to apply for a work permit. This requires registering your company with the Government Migration Department (at a specific department RENURE) to hire foreign nationals.
3. Digital Nomad Visa (Best for Remote Workers)
For those who want to know how to immigrate to Argentina as a freelancer, this is an excellent way to start.
Grants 6 months of legal stay (extendable for another 6 months).
No DNI (National Identity Document) issued.
Not available for dependents—individual applications only.
Eligible for citizenship after two years.
4. Student Visa for Spanish Courses (Best for Language Learners)
Available for 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year stays via accredited programs.
In-person classes required (minimum once per week).
No DNI issued, meaning transitional residency status.
This program allows you to stay in Argentina with a Spanish language course legally that will count toward citizenship. However, during this period, you will not be eligible for a national ID. You will hold a transitional residency status, which is similar to being like tourist, but longer period is allowed. While this status does not grant a national ID, it will be considered toward your citizenship application. Every year you have to update/ renew your residency status with this category. You have to visit the language school at least once a week. This program works only for singles and for Argentina visa-waived country passport holders only.
5. Pensionado Residency Program (Best for Retirees)
If you’re a retiree researching how to immigrate to Argentina, this program is tailored for you.
Available for retirees receiving government pensions.
Requires proof of pension, Argentine criminal record certificate, and apostilled non-criminal record from your home country.
Processing time: 3 to 6 months.
Grants DNI & citizenship eligibility after two years.
For the Pensionado residency application, you need to prepare the following documents:
1. Passport
2. Argentine Criminal Record Certificate
3. Proof of Address in Argentina
4.Proof of Income (showing you receive a government pension)
The proof of income must be apostilled or legalized. Additionally, you must provide a non-criminal record certificate or an FBI certificate from your home country.
Here’s the process:
First, we submit your initial application and secure an appointment.
At the appointment, we submit your original documents to Migraciones (the immigration office).
They will take your fingerprints and photograph and issue a precaria (temporary residency permit).
With the precaria, you can legally stay in the country while your application is being processed. On average, it takes 3 to 6 months for approval. Once approved, you can print your DNI (Argentine National Identity Document).
Argentinian Residency & Citizenship Process Steps
Step 1: Entering Argentina
🛂 Tourist Visa – 90-day stay, extendable for another 90 days.
🏠 Temporary Residence Visa – For work, study, retirement, or family reunification. We can assist you with an Entry Permit Invitation letter from the Government to process your entry visa at the Argentina consulate in your home country
Step 2: Registering for Temporary Residency
🆔 Obtain a DNI (National ID) – Required for banking, employment, and government services.
📊 Register a CUIT/CUIL (Tax ID) – Needed for business and taxation. More…
Step 3: Transitioning to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
🏛️ Permanent Residency – Apply after three years of temporary residency.
🇦🇷 Citizenship – Eligible after two years of legal residency.
Argentina Citizenship Timeline
📝 Document Submission (1-2 months) – Gather and legalize documents.
⚖️ Court Review (3-4 months) – A judge verifies eligibility and background.
📍 Current Residency Status Verification (6 months) – Must remain in Argentina.
✅ Final Approval (1 year) – Background checks & government processing.
📅 Total time: ~3.5 years (including residency requirement). More…
If married to an Argentinian citizen, you become eligible to apply for citizenship immediately after you receive your marriage certificate. As a spouse, your partner can apply for citizenship right away.
For the citizenship process, you will need your marriage certificate and a non-criminal record certificate apostilled in your home country. If your country is not in the Hague agreement then you will need to be legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attested by the consulate in your home country. Additional documents may also be required, which we will discuss during the consultation.
The approval time for permanent residency typically ranges from six to nine months, though it can be approved as early as three months. The citizenship approval generally takes 8 to 24 months, with an average processing time of 1.5 years.
Why Choose Us for Your Argentina Immigration?
✅ Certified Immigration Experts – Licensed professionals ensure a hassle-free process.
📞 Zoom Consultation ($200 USD) – Consultation fee deducted from service costs.
📲 Unlimited Support – Assistance via WhatsApp, Telegram, and Email.
📑 Document Handling – We manage translations, legalizations, and submissions.
❌ Avoid Costly Mistakes – We ensure compliance with Argentine immigration laws.
📆 Book Your Consultation Now
Online face-to-face Zoom consultation with a professional and certified lawyer is the starting point of the process. Because we need to understand which category you are eligible for. If you applied for a tourist visa, and after arrival to Argentina you ask for residency that won’t be something right to do. Therefore, we asking people to apply for the correct category from the beginning and enter the proper category. In this case, we can help you get an entry permit letter from the government so that you can process your eligible category visa at the consulate. If you don’t need a visa to enter Argentina, then you need to bring the necessary documents apostilled to avoid back-and-forth traveling.
Consultation Fee
The person who doesn’t want to pay for consultation will make mistakes in choosing the right immigration pathway. That’s why we don’t work with people without consultation to avoid wasting your and our time. The consultation fee of $200 USD is considered a deposit. With this $200, you begin the process. After the Zoom meeting, you can ask follow-up questions via WhatsApp or email until your documentation preparation is complete.
After preparing all your documents, you will sign a contract and make your first payment. Then, we will evaluate your documents and send them for translation. The translation fee is separate, as it is handled by another organization. It’s important to note that translations must be done in Argentina only. Any translations made in your home country are not valid or not acceptable. Only translations stamped by an authorized translation organization in Argentina are recognized.
With all your documents are ready, we will proceed with the immigration pathway initially agreed upon during the consultation.
We look forward to speaking with you in the Zoom video meeting.