Argentina Citizenship by Investment: From Visa to Passport Opportunity

Argentina has introduced a direct citizenship by investment program, where previously only temporary residency was available, and naturalization required 4–5 years under the general regime. This marks a significant shift: the regulatory “reward” for investing in Argentina has been raised, aiming to attract global capital and compete with programs like the U.S. EB-5 and Europe’s “golden visas.” The true impact, however, will depend on the fine print: thresholds, eligible sectors, timelines, and compliance controls.

1. The “classic” regime 

Since 2004, Law 25,871 has offered a temporary residency permit for investors who “contribute their own assets to carry out activities of interest to the country.” The permit is valid for one year, renewable, with multiple entries and exits.

The Ministry of Economy plays a key role, reviewing whether the investment is productive, commercial, or service-oriented and of interest to Argentina. While this system has allowed flexibility, it has also been criticized for slow, uncertain procedures and a lack of clear rules, leaving many applications stalled for years.

2. Milei’s reform: Citizenship by investment 

Through DNU 366/2025 and its regulation (Decree 524/2025), Argentina created a pathway for foreign investors to obtain citizenship directly, without needing prior residency.

The decree established the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs, under the Ministry of Economy, to design and oversee these programs. While the legal framework is in place, key details—such as the definition of “relevant investment”—are still pending publication.Key elements of the reform:

• Investment standard: The term “relevant investment” is used, but no monetary thresholds or eligible sectors have been defined yet.
• Timeline: Officially, applications should be processed within 30 days after required reports are issued, though experience with prior inter-agency reviews suggests potential delays.

3. What to watch next

• Publication of thresholds (e.g., USD 500,000+), eligible investment vehicles (direct equity, bonds, funds), and strategic sectors (knowledge economy, energy, agribusiness, tourism).
• Clear documentation roadmaps and administrative deadlines to avoid historical bottlenecks.
• Strong compliance and transparency standards to align with FATF guidelines.
• A realistic comparison of Argentina’s regulatory costs and benefits with competing programs abroad.

Argentina is moving from a discretionary, slow residency scheme toward an ambitious citizenship by investment model. The policy is bold: offering the Argentine passport as a regulatory prize to attract high-value investors. For the program to succeed, the government must urgently define clear thresholds, eligible sectors, and compliance rules. If done right, Argentina could position itself competitively among global citizenship programs; if not, it risks repeating the uncertainty that plagued the investor visa channel.