Legal Assistance for Argentine Citizenship by Investment

The framework is recent, rests on decrees and ministry rules that are still being implemented, and is administered in Spanish by several Argentine authorities. An Argentine lawyer reads the current rules, not a summary of them, and can tell you whether your file is ready before funds are committed.

For a U.S. applicant, the practical value of counsel is sequencing: knowing which documents to order first, which apostilles take longest, when funds may be transferred, and which issues (an old arrest record, a business sale, funds held through an LLC or trust) need to be explained before the file is filed rather than after a reviewer asks.

Counsel interprets Law 346 (the citizenship law, including Article 2 bis added by Decree 366/2025), Decree 524/2025 (procedure) and the Ministry of Economy's implementing rules as they apply to you, and tracks any changes. Because several details are still pending final publication, a lawyer distinguishes between what is in force, what has been announced and what is still undefined.

A lawyer can define exactly which state and federal documents you need, which authority apostilles each one, and in what order.

• State-issued records (birth, marriage, divorce) are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
• The FBI Identity History Summary is a federal document and is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
• Notarized documents may require county clerk certification before the state apostille, depending on the state.
• Validity windows matter: criminal record reports are usually expected to be recent when filed.

Counsel coordinates translation by Argentine certified public translators (traductores públicos), whose signatures are typically legalized by the professional translators' association. The usual order is apostille first, then translation of both the document and the apostille, so that documents are accepted the first time.

Many U.S. applicants prefer counsel to handle filings in Argentina on their behalf. This generally requires a power of attorney (poder) valid in Argentina. There are two common routes, and your lawyer should confirm which one fits the specific procedure:

Some steps, such as biometric capture for identity documents, may still require personal appearance.

Argentine counsel can explain the Argentine side of dual nationality. Questions about potential loss of U.S. nationality are U.S. law questions; for unusual situations, consult a U.S. immigration or nationality lawyer.

Ideally, your Argentine lawyer and U.S. tax adviser (CPA or tax attorney) coordinate before the investment is made, especially when choosing between the contribution and the investment option, or investing through an entity. Topics that commonly need joint review include:

• FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and Form 8938 if Argentine bank or financial accounts are opened.
• Reporting of foreign entities or trusts if funds or assets are held through them.
• Consistency between the source-of-funds file sent to Argentina and what was reported to the IRS.
• How any Argentine income or investment returns would be reported in the U.S.

Counsel helps assemble a coherent source-of-funds narrative supported by documents, anticipating the reviews by the UIF (Argentina's financial intelligence unit) and security checks. Typical support includes tax returns, bank statements, sale contracts, closing statements, payroll records or inheritance documents, linked so a reviewer can follow the money from origin to transfer.

A lawyer confirms who qualifies as a dependant, what proof of relationship is needed, and how announced contributions apply per family member.

Whether to use the contribution or the investment option, and whether funds can come from a company or trust, are decisions with both Argentine and U.S. consequences.

Implementing rules may adjust amounts, procedures or eligible mechanisms. Counsel monitors the Boletín Oficial and official announcements.

Lawyers in Argentina must be registered (matriculados) with the bar of the jurisdiction where they practice — in the City of Buenos Aires, the Colegio Público de la Abogacía de la Capital Federal (CPACF); in the provinces, the corresponding provincial bar. Before engaging anyone:

• Ask for the lawyer's full name and registration (tomo and folio) and check it with the bar.
• Confirm that the engagement is with a lawyer or law firm, not an unlicensed agency.
• Request a written engagement letter stating scope, fees and who performs the work.

• Promises of guaranteed approval, a passport, or a fixed timeline.
• Claims of special relationships with officials or a "fast track".
• Requests to send investment funds to the intermediary's own account.
• Pressure to pay before the program is formally accepting applications.
• No identifiable licensed lawyer responsible for the file.
• Investment "packages" with promised returns.

Fee arrangements vary by firm. Common elements, which should be defined in writing, include:

• An initial consultation or eligibility assessment.
• A retainer or staged payments tied to verifiable milestones (file prepared, filed, decision issued).
• Third-party costs listed separately: apostilles, translations, government fees, courier.
• The government contribution or investment amount is never part of professional fees.

Fees should never be contingent on approval in a way that implies a guarantee.

• Transferring funds before confirming the program is accepting applications and how payment must be made.
• Ordering apostilles from the wrong authority, or translations that are not accepted.
• Gaps in the source-of-funds trail, especially through multiple countries or entities.
• Assuming Argentine citizenship changes U.S. tax status.
• Relying on intermediaries that promise approval or fixed timelines.

Before committing funds, before ordering documents, and whenever your family, residence or financial situation is unusual.

• Is the program currently accepting applications, and what rules are final?
• Which documents do I need, and in what order should I request them?
• Can you file on my behalf with a power of attorney? What requires my presence?
• What issues in my profile could raise questions during review?
• What are your fees, and which third-party costs are excluded?
• Will you coordinate with my U.S. tax adviser?

• Admitted to practice law in Argentina.
• Experience in citizenship, immigration and investment matters.
• Comfortable working in English with international clients.
• Clear written engagement terms and fees.
• Never guarantees approval, a passport or a timeline.
• Willing to coordinate with your U.S. tax adviser.