The Argentina Permanent Residency, Explained

Are you tired of renewing your temporary visa every year? Have you decided to call Argentina your permanent home? Then, let's have a look at the the process of applying for permanent residency in Argentina: appliscation process, required documents, criteria to qualify, associated fees...

What is the Permanent Residency in Argentina?

Permanent residency in Argentina refers to the status granted to foreign individuals who are recognized as permanent residents by the immigration authorities. This status allows them to enter and remain in the country freely. To apply for permanent residency, the foreign individual must meet certain requirements, which include being the spouse, parent, or child of an Argentine native or naturalized citizen. The specific documentation and procedures for obtaining permanent residency are outlined in Article 22 of the Migration Law 25.871.

Who can apply for the Permanent Residency? Is the Permanent Residency in Argentina right for me?

Foreigners can apply for permanent residency in Argentina under several categories:

1. Children and Parents: Children of native Argentinians or those who have chosen Argentina as their nationality, even if they were born abroad, are recognized as permanent residents. The authorities will allow their free entry and stay in the territory.

2. Spouses, Parents, or Children of Argentinians: Foreigners who are spouses, parents, or children of native or naturalized Argentinians can apply for permanent residency. They must prove their relationship to the Argentinian citizen.

3. Business, Congress, Fair, or Other Technical or Professional Activities: Individuals or entities based in Argentina who invite foreigners to conduct professional activities in the country must be registered in the National Registry of Requirers. The invited foreigners can apply for residency.

4. Religious Visas: These visas are for Catholic religious personnel who plan to temporarily reside in the country. The visa process must be conducted at the Consular Representation of the Argentine Republic corresponding to the foreigner's domicile.

5. Study Visas: These visas are for foreigners who wish to study in Argentina for a period less than or more than 365 days. The visa process must be conducted at the Consular Representation of the Argentine Republic corresponding to the foreigner's place of residence.

6. Transferred Personnel: These visas are for foreigners who are transferred to Argentina for work. The visa process must be conducted at the Consular Representation of the Argentine Republic corresponding to the foreigner's domicile.

Who can not apply for a Permanent Residency in Argentina?

There is no specific categories of individuals who are explicitly prohibited from applying for permanent residency in Argentina.

How to apply for the Permanent Residency in Argentina?

Required documents for a Permanent Residency in Argentina

1. Valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into the country, and at least one blank page available.

• Two current 4x4cm photographs, front view, in color, white background.

3. Completed visa application form (preferably electronically) and signed by the applicant.
4. Copy of the study program.
5. Electronic preloading of data made by the educational institution before the National Immigration Office.
6. Document that credibly proves your identity.
7. Birth certificate and the one related to the civil status of the people, required according to the cause of residence invoked.

• Certificate of criminal records issued in ARGENTINA, as long as it is a foreigner who has turned SIXTEEN years old.
• Certificate of lack of criminal records issued by the competent authorities of the countries where he has resided for a period longer than ONE year, during the last THREE years, as long as it is a foreigner who has turned SIXTEEN years old.
• Sworn statement of lack of criminal records in other countries.

11. Document that proves your legal entry into the country.
12. Other relevant documentation to prove the conditions of the invoked migration criterion.
13. Proof of the commercial / labor activity developed in the country of origin (for example, work certificate with company letterhead)
14. Round trip ticket reservation
15. Hotel reservation or proof of accommodation in the Argentine Republic
16. Consular interview.
17. Proof of being a spouse, parent or child of a native, naturalized or by option Argentine; taking into account principles of unity, support and with the scope of the right to family reunification established in the relevant legislation and in article 10 of this Regulation.
18. Proof of being a spouse, parent, unmarried minor child under EIGHTEEN years not emancipated or older with different capacity, of a permanent resident, taking into account principles of unity, support and with the scope of the right to family reunification established in the relevant legislation and in article 10 of this Regulation.

Argentina Permanent Residency fees and related costs

The cost to obtain permanent residency in Argentina is dependent on the applicant's country of origin. For MERCOSUR citizens, the immigration fee is $300 USD, while for non-MERCOSUR citizens, the fee is $600 USD. Additionally, there is a consular fee of $250 USD or Euros, payable in the local currency of the consular office where the application is processed.

Permanent Residency application process

The applicant must present the following documentation (in original and copy) to the corresponding Consulate:

• a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into the country, and at least one blank page available
• two current 4x4cm photographs, front view, in color, white background
• a completed visa application form (preferably electronically) signed by the applicant

2. The applicant must be a spouse, parent or child of a native Argentine, naturalized or by option.
3. The applicant must have roots by having enjoyed temporary residence for two continuous years or more, if they are a national of the countries of the COMMON MARKET OF THE SOUTH (MERCOSUR) or Associated States; and three continuous years or more, in other cases. They must also comply with the other conditions determined by the NATIONAL MIGRATION DIRECTORATE according to the type of temporary residence in question.
4. The applicant must have served as a diplomatic, consular official or of International Organizations and have remained in their functions in Argentine territory for the time provided for each case in the previous section.
5. The applicant must have refugee status and meet one of the criteria set out in sections a), b) or c) of this article; and the asylum seeker who, meeting the aforementioned criteria, obtained the authorization of the competent authority on the matter.
6. Once the internal procedure is completed, it will be sent via Electronic File to the corresponding National Migration Service. The interested party must previously request an appointment with the National Migration Service through the website: www.migraciones.gov.ar, to regularize their immigration situation in the Argentine Republic.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Permanent Residency in Argentina

References