Argentina Immigration:
Visas, residency, and citizenship

The maximum duration of the first residency visa in Argentina is 24 months for nationals of Mercosur countries and associated states, and 36 months for other cases. The first visa might be issue for a shorter period, usually one year.

No. Argentina does not require proficiency in Spanish to obtain a residency visa. However, you may have an interview at the consulate, so having a basic understanding of Spanish is better, as not all Argentinans speak English.

Yes. Argentina requires an interview with immigration officers or at the consulate to obtain a residency visa.

Yes. Argentina does allow family members to relocate together with the main visa applicant, or to join a family member after they arrived. In the first case, have a look at the visa application page. If you are in the second situation, you have to apply for a separate family visa. See requirements on the family visa page.

No. Argentina does not require a minimum duration of stay during the period of the residency visa.

Yes. Argentina does allow residency by investment. To enter under this subcategory must make a productive, commercial, or service investment of interest to Argentina, with a minimum amount of one million five hundred thousand Argentinian pesos (ARS 1,500,000). The applicant must present the investment project to the National Immigration Office, proving 1) the origin and legality of the funds, and 2) that the funds have entered Argentina, through banking or financial institutions authorized by the Central Bank of Argentina. The Ministry of Industry and Tourism will then analyze the project.

Yes. Argentina requires the applicant to be physically present during the visa application process. However, once the visa is obtained, the holder is allowed to enter and leave Argentina within the visa's validity period. You do not need to stay during the full duration in Argentina.

The minimum duration in Argentina to apply for permanent residency is two continuous years for nationals of Mercosur (or Associated States), and three continuous years for citizens of all the other countries.

The minimum duration of legal residence in Argentina to apply for citizenship is two years. Yet, please note that not everyone qualify for citizenship after two years, and some foreigners may need to wait longer. The citizenship page gives more information on this.

No. Argentina does not have a citizenship by investment program. You can get the residency by investment, and later apply for citizenship should you want to establish long-term in the country. Yet, there is no fast-track program to get immediate citizenship.

Yes. Argentina allows citizenship by descent. Children of native Argentinians who were born in a foreign country can opt for Argentinian citizenship. See more information on the citizenship page.

Yes. Argentina does allow citizenship by marriage. The law also recognizes, with analogous legal effects to marriage, foreigners who prove a cohabitation union with an Argentine national or with a foreign citizen permanently or temporarily residing in the country, registered in the registry corresponding to the local jurisdiction. Please note that although it may speedup the process of obtaining citizenship, a marriage may not immediately qualify you for citizenship. More information on the citizenship in Argentina page.

Yes. Argentina does allow dual citizenship. The law states that children of native Argentinians who were born in a foreign country can opt for Argentine citizenship. This implies that they do not have to renounce their original citizenship to become Argentine citizens.

Yes. Argentina allows foreigners to buy real estate. There might be some limitations, in particular for purchase near the sea, or near the border, as well as for citizens of neighboring countries.