Frequently Asked Questions

Potentially, yes. Argentina's Citizenship Law (Law 346), as amended by Decree 366/2025, allows foreigners who demonstrate a qualifying "relevant investment" in Argentina to apply for naturalization regardless of how long they have lived in the country. U.S. nationality is not excluded. Each application is reviewed by the Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión and decided by the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones after security and financial due diligence, so citizenship is never automatic.

How the framework works →

The legal basis has existed since 2025 (Decree 366/2025 and Decree 524/2025). In October 2026 the Argentine Government announced that the program would become operational to receive applications during the fourth quarter of 2026. Whether filings are being accepted on a given date depends on the Ministry of Economy and the Agency issuing their implementing rules, so availability should be confirmed with official sources or Argentine counsel before acting.

Official sources →

It is a route to citizenship by naturalization, not a residence permit. Argentine residence (temporary or permanent) is a separate immigration status. Citizenship, once granted, allows the person to apply for an Argentine national ID (DNI) and passport through RENAPER. These are distinct steps with distinct authorities.

The Government has announced two mechanisms for a main applicant: a non-refundable contribution of USD 350,000 to the National Treasury, or the subscription of a USD 800,000 government bond created for the program. Announced family amounts are USD 100,000 for a spouse or for an unmarried, childless child aged 18 to 25, and USD 25,000 for each child under 18. These are announced figures that may be adjusted by the implementing regulations, and they exclude legal fees, government fees, translations, apostilles, travel and any U.S. tax or reporting costs.

Full cost breakdown →

The USD 350,000 option has been announced as a direct, non-refundable contribution to the Treasury. The USD 800,000 option is the subscription of a government bond, whose terms (maturity, interest, transferability) will be defined in the instrument itself. Neither option should be treated as risk-free, and no return is guaranteed. Whether any amount is returned if an application is refused depends on the final rules, which should be reviewed with counsel before funds are committed.

Under Article 2 bis of Law 346, the Ministry of Economy determines which investments are considered "relevant." The announced mechanisms are the Treasury contribution and the program bond. Real estate or private business investments have not been announced as qualifying routes. The Agency evaluates whether the specific investment made by an applicant qualifies.

This has not been clearly addressed in the publicly announced rules. Even where permitted, investing through a U.S. LLC, corporation or trust can raise both Argentine source-of-funds questions and U.S. tax and reporting questions. This is a structuring question for Argentine counsel together with a U.S. tax professional.

Yes, profession is not a disqualifying factor. What matters is meeting the investment condition, passing due diligence and documenting the lawful origin of funds. Business owners should expect closer review of company financials, distributions and the chain of funds from the business to the investment.

Yes. Funds held in Europe, the UAE, Latin America or elsewhere can in principle be used, but each account and transfer must be traceable and documented. Separately, foreign accounts and assets usually carry U.S. reporting obligations such as the FBAR and, above certain thresholds, Form 8938.

U.S. reporting overview →

The Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión, a decentralized body within the Ministry of Economy, receives the application and assesses whether the investment qualifies. It prepares a reasoned report based on prior opinions from the Ministry of Security, the Financial Information Unit (UIF), the National Criminal Records Registry, RENAPER and the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), among others. The Dirección Nacional de Migraciones then decides.

Principally the Ministry of Economy and its Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión, the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (DNM), and, for background and identity checks, the Ministry of Security, UIF, the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia, RENAPER and SIDE. RENAPER also issues the DNI and passport once citizenship is granted.

The framework grants citizenship "regardless of the time of residence," so living in Argentina is not a prerequisite. The practical filing channel (in person, through a representative, or remotely) and any required appearances in Argentina will be set by the Agency's procedural rules. Argentine counsel can usually handle much of the process under a power of attorney.

Generally yes. Your country of residence does not change your nationality. However, background checks may be requested from every country where you have lived for significant periods, and documents issued outside the United States follow that country's apostille or legalization rules.

No minimum residence has been announced for the investment route. That is distinct from the ordinary naturalization route, which, after Decree 366/2025, generally requires two years of continuous and legal residence in Argentina.

Not by itself. According to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. law does not require a citizen to choose one nationality, and a U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign country without any risk to U.S. citizenship. Loss can occur only if a person voluntarily performs a potentially expatriating act listed in the Immigration and Nationality Act with the intention of relinquishing U.S. nationality.

U.S. citizenship in detail →

In general, yes. The United States recognizes that dual nationality exists, and Argentine law does not, as a general rule, require naturalized citizens to renounce a prior nationality. Dual nationals owe allegiance to both countries and must obey the laws of both, including U.S. tax and reporting rules.

No renunciation of U.S. citizenship is required by the announced Argentine framework. Renunciation is a separate, voluntary act performed before a U.S. consular officer abroad. Acquiring Argentine nationality is not the same as renouncing U.S. nationality.

U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, are required by U.S. law to use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. An Argentine passport would be used, where appropriate, for entering Argentina and for travel to third countries.

No. The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Acquiring Argentine citizenship does not make you a non-U.S. taxpayer. As long as you remain a U.S. citizen, U.S. federal filing and reporting rules continue to apply. This is general information, not individualized tax advice.

U.S. tax considerations →

U.S. citizens living in Argentina generally must still file U.S. federal returns if their income meets the filing threshold. Tools such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit may reduce or eliminate double taxation in some cases. There is no comprehensive income tax treaty between the United States and Argentina, which makes careful planning with a qualified U.S. tax professional particularly important.

It means the IRS taxes U.S. citizens and resident aliens on income from all sources, both inside and outside the United States. It is based on citizenship, not residence, which is why moving abroad or acquiring another nationality does not on its own end U.S. tax obligations.

The FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is a report filed electronically with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Treasury. U.S. persons must generally file it if the aggregate value of their foreign financial accounts exceeded USD 10,000 at any time during the calendar year. It is filed separately from the tax return.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act requires certain U.S. taxpayers to report specified foreign financial assets on IRS Form 8938 when values exceed thresholds that depend on filing status and whether the taxpayer lives abroad. It also requires foreign financial institutions to report on accounts held by U.S. persons. FATCA reporting is in addition to, not instead of, the FBAR.

Usually, yes, once thresholds are met. Argentine bank and brokerage accounts count toward the FBAR USD 10,000 aggregate threshold and may need to be listed on Form 8938. Interest and investment income from Argentina is also reportable on the U.S. return.

It can. U.S. persons who own or control foreign corporations may have to file forms such as Form 5471, and other entity types can trigger different forms. Foreign trusts have their own reporting regime. Anyone considering an Argentine entity should consult a U.S. tax professional before forming it.

Expect, at a minimum, a valid passport, a birth certificate, civil status documents (marriage or divorce records), criminal background certificates, and detailed source-of-funds evidence such as bank statements, tax returns, sale agreements or corporate records. The definitive list will be set by the Agency's procedural rules.

Requirements and documentation →

Generally, yes. Both the United States and Argentina are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. State-issued documents such as birth and marriage certificates are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state; federal documents such as an FBI Identity History Summary are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications.

Yes. Documents in English generally must be translated into Spanish, and Argentine authorities commonly require translations by a certified public translator (traductor público) whose signature is legalized by the relevant professional association in Argentina. Ask counsel before commissioning translations in the United States.

For U.S. applicants, the usual federal record is the FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the Department of State. Certificates may also be requested from other countries where you have lived. Argentine authorities will separately consult the National Criminal Records Registry and security agencies.

The Government has said the program will apply due diligence and financial transparency standards aligned with OECD and FATF recommendations, and the UIF (Argentina's financial intelligence unit) issues an opinion on each case. Applicants should be ready to document how the funds were earned and how they moved from origin to investment.

Yes, according to the announced program. A spouse may apply by proving the marital relationship and making the contribution announced for that category, currently USD 100,000.

Yes. The announced rules allow children under 18 (contribution announced at USD 25,000 each) and unmarried children aged 18 to 25 without children of their own (USD 100,000 each). The parent-child relationship must be documented with apostilled, translated birth certificates.

A family can apply together, but each person's citizenship is a separate decision subject to its own review. Children's U.S. citizenship and U.S. reporting obligations are unaffected by their acquiring Argentine nationality.

No total processing time can be promised. Decree 524/2025 provides that the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones decides within 30 business days of receiving the Agency's report, but the time needed to gather documents, complete due diligence and issue that report is not fixed. Add time afterward for DNI and passport issuance.

Step-by-step process →

It can complement a U.S. passport. Argentine nationals benefit from Mercosur residence arrangements in South America and currently enjoy visa-free short stays in the Schengen Area. Its value depends on where you intend to live, work or travel, and travel rules can change.

Benefits & Mobility →

Not as a general proposition. Both provide broad visa-free access. The value for an American is diversification: a second nationality, rights of residence in Argentina and, via Mercosur, a simpler path to residence in neighboring countries.

Argentine nationals can currently visit many countries without a visa, including the Schengen Area for short stays and, with a national ID, most South American countries. Lists change, so always confirm with the destination country's official sources before traveling.

Under the Mercosur Residence Agreement, nationals of participating states, including Argentina, can apply for temporary residence in other participating countries, which may later be converted to permanent residence. Each country applies the agreement through its own immigration procedures.

Argentine passport holders can currently visit the Schengen Area visa-free for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). The EU's ETIAS travel authorization is scheduled to apply to visa-exempt travelers. Visa-free access is a policy of the destination country and can change at any time.

Your U.S. filing obligation generally continues. You may also become an Argentine tax resident, which brings Argentine tax obligations on worldwide income. Because there is no comprehensive U.S.–Argentina income tax treaty, coordinating the two systems usually relies on domestic rules such as the Foreign Tax Credit. Obtain advice from a U.S. tax professional and an Argentine tax adviser before relocating.

Not by itself, as a general rule. Argentine income tax residence is based mainly on where a person actually lives (for example, obtaining permanent residence or staying in the country for an extended period), not on nationality alone. The U.S. is the unusual case: it taxes its citizens wherever they live. An American who becomes Argentine but keeps living in the U.S. generally remains a U.S. tax resident; relocating to Argentina may change that. Confirm your own position with an Argentine tax adviser.

Argentine law allows children of Argentine citizens born abroad to obtain Argentine nationality by option (ciudadanía por opción), usually by registering the birth through an Argentine consulate or RENAPER. How this applies to parents who are naturalized citizens should be confirmed with Argentine counsel, because the rules and their interpretation can change.

Argentine consulates in the United States generally process DNI and passport renewals for Argentine citizens, usually by appointment. Availability, fees and processing times vary by consulate, so check the relevant consulate's official page before you travel.

No. Argentina ended compulsory military service in 1994 (Law 24.429) and its armed forces are voluntary. Becoming an Argentine citizen does not create a conscription obligation under current law.

U.S. law (INA § 215, 8 U.S.C. § 1185) requires U.S. citizens to enter and leave the United States on a U.S. passport. Argentina, in turn, expects its citizens to enter and leave on Argentine documents (DNI or passport). In practice, dual nationals carry both and show each country its own document; airlines may ask for both.

It is not a legal requirement in every case, but it is strongly advisable. The application involves Argentine legislation, new regulations, Spanish-language filings, apostilled and translated documents and rigorous due diligence. An Argentine lawyer can assess eligibility and prepare the file before any funds are committed.

Legal assistance →

Typically: assesses eligibility, interprets the current rules, plans the document set, coordinates apostilles and certified translations, prepares source-of-funds evidence, files with the Agency, follows the case through the DNM, and assists with DNI and passport applications.

Confirm the lawyer is admitted to practice in Argentina, has experience with citizenship and immigration matters, works comfortably in English, explains fees in writing and never guarantees approval. Ask how they coordinate with U.S. tax advisers.

Any qualified Argentine lawyer experienced in citizenship and investment immigration can assist. For legal advice regarding Argentine citizenship and investment immigration matters, we recommend CBI Attorney (cbiattorney.com.ar), an Argentine legal practice focused on Citizenship by Investment for international clients.

Recommended Argentine legal counsel →

Acquiring Argentine citizenship adds a nationality. Renouncing U.S. citizenship is a separate, formal act under Section 349(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, performed in person before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer abroad by signing an oath of renunciation. One does not imply the other.

Renunciation is irrevocable in practice. You would lose the right to live in the United States without a visa and to hold a U.S. passport, and you would have to enter the United States as a foreigner. It can also trigger the U.S. expatriation tax regime. The Department of State warns that renunciation does not relieve a person of prior tax obligations or of liability for crimes.

In U.S. tax law, expatriation refers to a U.S. citizen relinquishing citizenship, or a long-term green card holder ending U.S. residency. Expatriating individuals generally file Form 8854 with the IRS.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 877A, a "covered expatriate" is generally treated as having sold worldwide assets at fair market value on the day before expatriation, with gains above an inflation-adjusted exclusion amount subject to tax. Special rules apply to deferred compensation, retirement accounts and trusts.

Broadly, someone who on the expatriation date has a net worth of USD 2 million or more, or whose average annual net U.S. income tax liability for the prior five years exceeded an inflation-adjusted threshold, or who fails to certify on Form 8854 five years of U.S. tax compliance. Exceptions exist, for example for certain dual nationals from birth.

Because the consequences are permanent, technical and highly individual: covered expatriate status, the mark-to-market calculation, compliance certification, treatment of retirement accounts and future gifts to U.S. persons. This site does not provide U.S. expatriation or tax advice.