Argentina is the second-largest country in South America. It has a temperate climate and a variety of landscapes, including tropical coastlines, prairies, forests, and the spectacular Andes Mountains. Its diverse capital city, Buenos Aires, is famous for its nightlife, culinary scene, and European style architecture. Not surprisingly, thousands of foreigners are interested pursuing residency in Argentina.
The country has the second-largest economy in South America and has one of the 35 largest economies in the world in terms of business volume. Argentina is incredibly affordable, but offers a high-quality of life. Most Americans can expect to cut their living expenses in half. Argentina has strong healthcare and education systems that are free for both citizens and non-citizens. In fact, its education system has been recognized as the best in South America.
If you are interested in moving to Argentina, you should apply for a 1-year temporary residence permit. Please note that you must spend at least six months a year in Argentina to remain a temporary resident.
A temporary residence permit is typically processed within 45 days. You will need to provide the following:
- Valid Passport
- One passport-size photo
- Affidavit regarding criminal records
- Original Police Clearance Certificate
- Evidence of Residential Address in Argentina (utility bill)
- Health insurance
- Bank Statement/Proof of income
- Statement of Source of Funds
- Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate
- Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
All of your documents must be original. They must be legalized by the Argentine Consulate in the country that issued them, or Apostilled if the country has ratified The Hague Convention. All documents must be translated into Spanish by a national public translator and legalized by the College of Translators.
The National Directorate of Migration has streamlined the visa process by creating the RaDEX system. You can submit documentation, track your application status, and communicate with immigration official via the online platform.
Once you are a resident, it is mandatory that you register with the local authorities where you reside. Be prepared to show a rental contract, or ownership documents if you have purchased a property.
Ways To Obtain Argentine Temporary Residency:
Prove You Are A Person Of Independent Means. Argentina has a “Financier” visa, also known as a “Rentista” visa, that grants you a one-year temporary resident visa (renewable for three years). You must prove a guaranteed monthly income (excluding remuneration for personal work) of at least five times the minimum Argentine monthly salary (approximately 132,000 pesos). This means you need to show passive income of roughly $2,000/month. Alternatively, you can fulfill the financial requirement for a Rentista visa by depositing, and maintaining a balance of, at least $24,000 at a local Argentinian bank.
With a Financier visa, you can be self-employed or start a business, but you cannot work as someone’s employee. The name Rentista visa comes from the fact that most of these visas are granted to foreigners who receive the required monthly income from real estate they own abroad. However, you can prove stable passive income in other ways. Each time you renew your permit, you will have to prove you meet the income requirement.
Invest In An Argentine Business. Argentina’s Investment “Inversionista” visa is another one-year temporary resident visa that is renewable for three years. You are required to invest at least 1,500,000 Argentine Pesos (approximately $2,000 at time of writing) in a legal Argentine business engaging in a productive, commercial, or service activity.
You will need to submit documents showing that the funds came from a legal source, and once in Argentina, the money must be held in a financial institution approved by the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic. In order to obtain the visa, you will need to have your investment/business plan approved by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism of Argentina. Its ministers will analyze your project based on the nature of your investment, as well as the legal viability and economic-financial sustainability of your project. Unfortunately, this temporary visa route is very time-consuming and has a very low approval rate.
If you do get approved for an Inversionista visa, you must actively manage your business throughout the temporary residency period.
Prove You Have A Pension. To obtain a “Pensionado” visa, you must meet the Argentine retirement age requirement (65 for men and 60 for women). In addition, you must receive a monthly pension of at least five times the minimum Argentine monthly salary – again, roughly $2,000 – from a reputable government agency or international organization. An Argentine retirement visa is valid for one year and is renewable for up to three years.
Next Steps:
As stated above, you may renew your temporary residence permit annually for up to three years. After three years as a temporary resident, you are eligible for permanent residency. Once you become a permanent resident, you can remain in Argentina indefinitely, but you will not be able to vote.
Alternatively, after two years as a temporary resident, you may wish to apply for citizenship. You will need to show that you have been living in Argentina continuously (at least 180 days a year) for over two years, be proficient in Spanish, and pass a civics exam. Argentina allows dual citizenship. An Argentine passport will give you visa-free travel to over 165 countries.
If you have been following our residency series, you will know that we merely introduce readers to different residency-by-investment programs around the world. If you are serious about relocating to Argentina, be sure to check the official requirements prescribed by the Argentine government. You may also want to consult with local lawyers and immigration specialists.
For information about other residency schemes, please read articles such as Securing A Portuguese Golden Visa in 2024, Requirements To Reside In Georgia, and Lithuanian Residency In A Nutshell.