How to Get Argentine Nationality?
Interested in how to get an Argentine Nationality?
There are two main pathways for foreigners to obtain Argentine nationality: by descent (blood) and by naturalization. Of course, if you are born in Argentina, you automatically acquire Argentine nationality by birthright (soil).
Argentina Citizenship by Descent
1. Children of native Argentines who are born abroad can opt for Argentine nationality by blood (Jus sanguinis).
2. All individuals born in the territory of the Argentine Republic, regardless of the nationality of their parents, are Argentinians by birthright (Jus soli), except for the children of foreign ministers and members of diplomatic missions residing in the country.
Citizenship by Naturalization in Argentina
If you have a baby born in Argentina, or if you are married to a native Argentine citizen, you are eligible to obtain Argentine citizenship. However, if you are married to a naturalized Argentine citizen, you are not automatically eligible. In that case, you must reside in Argentina for two years and then apply for nationality through the naturalization process.
Requirements for Argentine Citizenship
1) Must be at least 18 years old.
2) A continuous and documented two-year residency in Argentina, verified by the National Immigration Directorate (this requirement is waived if you are married to an Argentine citizen and/or have Argentine children).
3) An officially legalized birth certificate of yourself, with an Apostille and/or International Legalization as necessary. (Any document that is legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a foreign country must be verified by the Argentine consulate in your home country. Only apostilled documents can be submitted directly without consular verification.)
4) Your Argentinian ID card (DNI) or your International Passport.
5) A police clearance certificate from your home country and other countries you’ve lived in for more than 6 months in the last 3 years. Make sure these documents are Apostilled. We have to wait for the court to indicate it to us because it has an expiration date of three months. If you haven’t left Argentina during these six months, it can be valid for 6 months.
6) A non-criminal record certificate from Argentina’s National Registry. You’ll need to book an appointment, get fingerprinted, and you will receive the results via email immediately.
7) Proof of your address in Argentina, like a rental contract or utility bills, and/or certificate obtained from your local police station (certificado de domicilio). To prove an address in the Federal Capital, you can obtain a certificate of domicile from the PFA (Policía Federal Argentina)(which is only valid for 5 days). You can get it at the police station in your neighborhood.
8) Proof of means of livelihood: pay stubs (with the employer’s signature certified by the bank with which the company operates), or proof of monotributo plus invoices and certificate of income issued by a public accountant.
9) If you have Argentine children, include photocopies of their birth certificates and a certificate from the Immigration Directorate.
10) You have to be able to understand and speak the basics of the national language. At least at a level to understand what the court is saying to you when you go to oath or vowe before Carta de Ciudania.
11) Two forms to be filled out with certain information (which we will give you later).
How Long Is the Argentina Citizenship Processing Time?
The processing time for Argentine nationality typically takes between 8 to 18 months on average, depending on which court handles your case. In Capital Federal, there are 11 courts and 22 secretarías. Each court operates differently—some process cases digitally, which is faster, while others handle cases on paper or use a hybrid system.
Unfortunately, you cannot choose the court, as the assignment is made automatically by the system. To learn more about each court’s processing times and user experiences, you can read reviews 1,2,3.
Is It Mandatory to Reside in Argentina During the Nationality Processing Time?
Yes, it is generally required to reside in Argentina while your nationality application is being processed. Judges may verify your actual presence in the country during this period, especially since the process includes in-person steps and potential interviews. Leaving the country for extended periods could affect your application or cause delays.
If you leave the country during the nationality process, your application will not be canceled — it will only be delayed until you return. This is because when the prosecutor requests your residency status from Migraciones, the system shows your entry and exit records. If you’re outside the country, Migraciones will report your absence to the prosecutor.
Some prosecutors make this request at the beginning of the process, while others do so in the middle or at the end — and in some cases, even more than once. That’s why it is highly recommended to remain in Argentina throughout the entire process. However, as long as you officially notify the immigration department that you are leaving the country for a short period, your residency will not be canceled.
If you’d like to discuss your situation in more detail, feel free to contact us.
What Are the Critical Moments When I Need to Be Present Physically in Argentina During the Nationality Process?
There are three key moments when your personal presence in Argentina is required during the nationality process:
Filing the Application (at the beginning of the process)
You must appear in person at the court to officially submit your nationality application.
Currently, it takes about one to one and a half months to get an appointment to submit your nationality documents at the court in Buenos Aires.
For example, if you and your Argentine girlfriend are coming to Argentina to get married in Argentina, you will need to wait an average of 1.5 months after the marriage to submit your documents for citizenship.
Fingerprint Submission and Background Check (In the middle of the process, average 6 months after submission)
On average, after about 6 months — although it could be earlier or later than 6 months— the court will issue an order to complete several steps in your nationality process. These typically include:
A background check with the Argentine Federal Police and Interpol
Fingerprint submission
Publication of a notice in a national newspaper regarding your citizenship process
And any other administrative procedures required by the court
These steps can usually be completed within two weeks, or even sooner in some cases.
Oath Ceremony (Jura de Ciudadanía) (At the end, average after one year)
Once your nationality is approved, you must attend the oath ceremony in person in front of the Judge to formally become an Argentine citizen.
Once the judicial process is completed, you will have to process the administrative office procedures (Argentine passport, and then the DNI Permanente) with the approved letter of nationality (Carta de Ciudania).
Finally, your DNI number changes from Temporary DNI to Permanent DNI with your Argentine Nationality written on it.
If you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us.
These steps are mandatory because Argentine nationality is a personal legal process, and your physical presence is required at specific stages. It is not possible to obtain Argentine nationality by Naturalization remotely without visiting Argentina.
How to Stay Legally in Argentina for 2 Years to Qualify for Citizenship by Naturalization
To apply for Argentine nationality by naturalization, you must reside legally in Argentina for at least two consecutive years.
There are multiple programs to legalize your stay:
Rentista Program
One of the most straightforward legal pathways is through the Rentista Residency Program, designed for financially independent individuals.
If you own a business in your home country and receive at least USD 2,000 per month in dividends (not salary), or earn the same amount from property rentals, you may qualify for this program. Learn more here: Rentista Visa Program
The main requirement is simple: transfer this income monthly from your business or rental account abroad to your personal bank account in Argentina. This income must be for your own or your family’s personal use—you do not need to donate or pay it to anyone else.
This Residency category allows you to live in Argentina legally, fulfilling the residency requirement for naturalization. After two years of continuous legal residency, you can begin the nationality process.
Other Residency Programs That Allow You to Stay Legally in Argentina and Lead to Citizenship
Besides the Rentista Residency, several other legal residency pathways in Argentina can eventually lead to nationality through naturalization. These include:
Student Permit – For those enrolled in official educational programs, including Spanish language courses at recognized institutions.
Work Permit – If you are hired by an Argentine employer, you can obtain a work visa that allows legal residency.
Investment Residency – For foreigners who invest a certain amount in productive activities or Argentine businesses. If you establish a new industry in Argentina or introduce a valuable invention, the two-year mandatory residency requirement for citizenship may be waived or reduced. Contact us to discuss details.
Family Reunification – If you have direct family ties to Argentine Permanent Residents.
