Last updated: October 10, 2026
Argentina Citizenship by Investment Explained
Argentina's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is a government framework, created by decree in 2025, that would grant Argentine citizenship to qualifying investors without the standard two-year residency requirement. DNU 366/2025 provides the no-residency principle, and Decree 524/2025 sets out the application procedure.
On 2 October 2026, the Ministry of Economy officially announced the program's pricing: a non-refundable contribution of USD 350,000 to the National Treasury, or a USD 800,000 subscription to a dedicated government security. The government's target is to begin receiving applications in Q4 2026. The figures are not yet codified, and the launch still depends on an implementing regulation and the pending Supreme Court appeal on DNU 366/2025, so the timeline may move.
This guide sets out how the program is structured, what each figure means for your family, and how to prepare while the final rules are completed. Argentina's CBI, also called the Argentina Golden Passport or Argentina Golden Visa in international coverage, is the most closely watched new option in the global citizenship market.
Argentina Citizenship by Investment: Key Facts (2026)
Yes. Argentina created a Citizenship by Investment framework by decree in 2025. DNU 366/2025 allows a qualifying investment to replace the two-year residency requirement, and Decree 524/2025, signed in July 2025, sets out the application procedure. On 2 October 2026 the Ministry of Economy officially announced pricing and a government target of Q4 2026 to begin receiving applications. It is not yet open to applicants.
On 2 October 2026 the Ministry of Economy officially announced two routes for the main applicant: a non-refundable contribution of USD 350,000 to the National Treasury, or a subscription of USD 800,000 in a government security created for the program. A spouse adds USD 100,000, each unmarried, childless child aged 18 to 25 adds USD 100,000, and each child under 18 adds USD 25,000, so a family of four with two minor children totals USD 500,000 on the contribution route. These figures are officially announced but not yet codified in a published regulation, and they may change. Government fees, due diligence costs and advisory fees have not been announced. For worked totals on both routes, see our Argentina citizenship by investment cost breakdown.
No. As of 2 October 2026, applications are not open and no application portal exists. The Ministry of Economy has set a government target of Q4 2026 to begin receiving applications, but launch still depends on an implementing regulation and the pending Supreme Court appeal on DNU 366/2025, so slippage remains possible. You can join the waitlist to be notified the moment applications open.
The program was created by official government decree, so it is a genuine state initiative rather than a private offering. The 2 October 2026 pricing announcement is a ministerial statement, not a legal instrument. DNU 366/2025, the decree allowing a qualifying investment to replace the two-year residency requirement, was declared invalid by two federal courts in June 2026, and the government's appeal is before the Supreme Court. The announcement does not resolve that appeal. Decree 524/2025 itself remains formally in force.
Why Argentina Introduced Its Citizenship by Investment Program
Argentina created its Citizenship by Investment framework in 2025 to attract foreign capital. The preamble of Decree 524/2025 states that the measure is intended to promote investment and job creation.
The model announced on 2 October 2026 is straightforward: a contribution to the National Treasury or a dedicated government security, rather than investment in a specific local project.
In return, approved investors and their families would obtain Argentine citizenship without first living in the country.
Last reviewed: October 4, 2026. For the full timeline and our analysis of each development, see the live status tracker.
Legal Basis & Program Overview
The Argentina Citizenship by Investment framework rests on two instruments.
DNU 366/2025, a decree of necessity and urgency issued in May 2025, amended the Citizenship Law so that a foreign national who makes a qualifying investment can apply for citizenship regardless of time of residence. It also created the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs within the Ministry of Economy.
Presidential Decree No. 524/2025, by President Javier Milei in July 2025, then set out the procedure. Applications go to the Agency, which assesses the investment, requests security and financial checks from the relevant state bodies, and sends a reasoned recommendation to the National Directorate of Migration, which approves or rejects the application.
On 2 October 2026, during Argentina Week in Paris, Minister of Economy Luis Caputo and Chief of Cabinet Diego Santilli officially announced the program's pricing and a government target of Q4 2026 to begin receiving applications. Due diligence is to follow OECD and FATF recommendations, with the Agency working alongside the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), the Financial Information Unit (UIF) and the Ministries of Security and the Interior. The announcement is a ministerial statement, not a legal instrument, and no implementing regulation has been published.
In June 2026, two federal courts declared DNU 366/2025 invalid on constitutional grounds. The government has appealed to the Supreme Court, and the announcement does not resolve that appeal. Decree 524/2025 itself remains formally in force.
For a full legal breakdown, see our detailed analysis of Decree 524/2025.
Investment & Eligibility Requirements
The Ministry of Economy announced the following on 2 October 2026. The figures are not yet codified and may change in the implementing regulation.
✓ Contribution Route
A non-refundable contribution of USD 350,000 to Argentina's National Treasury (officially announced, 2 October 2026).
✓ Government Bond Route
A subscription of USD 800,000 to a government security created specifically for the program (officially announced, 2 October 2026). Minister Caputo described it as a zero-rate bond when announcing the program. Its term, repayment conditions and whether it can be transferred have not been published.
✓ Family Members
Spouses and unmarried, childless children aged 18 to 25 may apply with a contribution of USD 100,000 each. Children under 18 may apply with a contribution of USD 25,000 each. A family of four, meaning a main applicant, a spouse and two minor children, may apply for a total of USD 500,000 (officially announced, 2 October 2026). The announcement does not say how family contributions apply on the bond route. Industry reporting indicates the bond covers the main applicant only, with family members paying the same Treasury contributions on either route.
✓ Residency Requirement
No prior or ongoing residency in Argentina is required under the framework. This no-residency principle comes from DNU 366/2025, the decree now under Supreme Court review, so the final rule depends on that outcome.
✓ Due Diligence
The Agency leads the evaluation with SIDE, the UIF and the Ministries of Security and the Interior, following OECD and FATF recommendations. Applicants should expect verified proof of the lawful source of funds, criminal record checks and multi-agency background screening.
✓ Not Yet Announced
Government fees, due diligence fees and the application portal.
Preparing Before Applications Open
The implementing regulation will set the final rules, but the core of a citizenship by investment application is already clear. Investors who prepare now will be ready to file as soon as the program opens.
✓ Source of funds. Due diligence will follow OECD and FATF standards. Document the origin of the funds you intend to use: how they were earned and where they are held.
✓ Family structure. Decide who to include. The announced categories cover a spouse, children under 18, and unmarried, childless children aged 18 to 25, each with its own contribution.
✓ Route. Weigh the USD 350,000 contribution against the USD 800,000 bond in light of your liquidity and family size.
✓ Home-country position. Confirm with a qualified tax and legal adviser how a second citizenship affects you where you live and where you hold nationality.
We review each investor's situation privately and can tell you what to prepare first.
Request a private pre-assessment
Key Benefits of Argentine Citizenship
Once the program opens, qualifying investors would obtain Argentine citizenship, which carries an Argentine passport with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries including the Schengen Area, Mercosur freedom of movement across South America, recognised dual citizenship, and eligibility for the United States E-2 investor visa.
Visa-Free Travel
The Argentine passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 170 countries, including the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, and much of Asia. Argentina is also seeking to rejoin the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which would allow citizens to enter the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.
For a detailed breakdown of destinations and recent updates, see our guide on Argentina Passport by Investment: Global Mobility & Visa-Free Access (2026 Update)
Mercosur Freedom of Movement
Argentine citizens enjoy full freedom of movement and work across Mercosur member states, including Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and associated nations, giving regional mobility and business opportunities.
U.S. E-2 Visa Eligibility
Argentine citizens are eligible for the U.S. E-2 Investor Visa, a highly sought-after option among entrepreneurs and investors who wish to live and operate businesses in the United States.
Dual Citizenship Permitted
Investors are not required to renounce their original nationality. Argentina fully recognizes dual citizenship, ensuring flexibility for global citizens. Your home country's rules may vary. Most jurisdictions permit dual nationality, but you should verify your specific situation before applying.
Tax Considerations
Argentina applies taxation based on residency, not citizenship, meaning citizens living abroad are generally not taxed on foreign-sourced income. Argentina's tax exemption law (Law No. 27802) provides additional protections for qualifying foreign investors. Read our full Argentina CBI tax guide
Defined Decision Deadline
Decree 524/2025 gives the National Directorate of Migration 30 business days to decide once it receives the Agency's report. The total time from submission to decision has not yet been announced.
Why Argentina Could Be the Next Big CBI Destination
Argentina's Golden Visa program combines a passport with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 170 destinations, including the Schengen Area, with Mercosur freedom of movement and recognised dual citizenship, at an officially announced entry price of USD 350,000.
That places Argentina between the Caribbean programs and Turkey on price. None of the programs in our comparison below offers wider passport access.
If Argentina successfully rejoins the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, its standing would rise further.
Discover the broader global trends driving Argentina's rise in our report, Top 10 Reasons Argentina Could Become the World's Next Citizenship Hub.
Program Comparison Table
Minimum investment shown for a single applicant on the lowest-cost route, as of October 2026. Argentina figure officially announced by the Ministry of Economy on 2 October 2026 and not yet codified. Decree 524/2025 sets a 30-business-day decision deadline after the Agency's report; total processing time has not been announced.
Application Process
Final administrative guidelines have not been published. Based on Decree 524/2025 and the Ministry of Economy's 2 October 2026 announcement, the process is expected to follow these steps:
✓ Pre-Application Assessment
A private review of your eligibility, source of funds and family composition, available now, ahead of launch.
✓ Investment Route
The main applicant chooses the USD 350,000 Treasury contribution or the USD 800,000 government security (officially announced, not yet codified). Under Decree 524/2025, an application is made by a person who has made a qualifying investment. The implementing regulation will define when and how funds are transferred.
✓ Citizenship Submission
Formal application to the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs, which assesses whether the investment qualifies.
✓ Due Diligence Review
The Agency requests reports from state bodies including the Ministry of National Security, the UIF, the National Criminal Records Registry, RENAPER and SIDE.
✓ Recommendation and Decision
The Agency sends a reasoned report recommending approval or rejection to the National Directorate of Migration, which must decide within 30 business days of receiving it.
✓ Citizenship and Passport
Successful applicants receive Argentine citizenship and can then apply for an Argentine passport.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ministry of Economy officially announced both routes on 2 October 2026. The contribution route is a non-refundable payment of USD 350,000 to the National Treasury. The bond route is a USD 800,000 subscription to a government security created for the program. Minister Caputo described it as a zero-rate bond in his remarks at the announcement. Its term and repayment conditions have not been published. Neither route is yet codified in a published regulation.
The framework is designed to require no physical residency for CBI applicants, which is its key difference from standard naturalization. This is also the provision at the center of the current court challenge, since the no-residency principle comes from DNU 366/2025, now under Supreme Court review. The final rules depend on that outcome and on the implementing regulations.
Decree 524/2025 requires the National Directorate of Migration to decide within 30 business days of receiving the Agency's report. The time the Agency needs for its own assessment and for the multi-agency background checks has not been announced, so the total processing time from submission is not yet known.
Yes. Each family member requires an additional contribution: USD 100,000 for a spouse or an unmarried, childless child aged 18 to 25, and USD 25,000 for each child under 18. A family of four with two minor children totals USD 500,000 on the contribution route. The announcement does not cover parents or other relatives.
The Ministry of Economy has set a government target of Q4 2026. Before applications can open, an implementing regulation and agent accreditation rules must be published, and the Supreme Court appeal on DNU 366/2025 is still pending. The target is the government's, not a guarantee, and slippage remains possible. Register your interest to be notified the moment applications open.
The Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs, within the Ministry of Economy, receives applications and leads the evaluation with the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), the Financial Information Unit (UIF) and the Ministries of Security and the Interior, following OECD and FATF recommendations. The National Directorate of Migration makes the final decision.
Yes. Argentina recognizes and allows dual nationality, enabling applicants to keep their original passport.
Yes. Argentina's Citizenship by Investment program is sometimes referred to internationally as a "Golden Passport" and sometimes as a "Golden Visa." Both terms describe the same program, created by DNU 366/2025 and Decree 524/2025: a direct pathway to Argentine citizenship for qualifying investors.
Yes. Argentina has long-standing routes including descent, marriage, and ordinary naturalization after two years of residence, and none of these are affected by the current review of the CBI framework. They require either a family connection or physical presence in Argentina, which is precisely what the Citizenship by Investment route is designed to avoid. For investors who cannot relocate, the CBI program remains the pathway to watch. For how these routes compare and what each one requires, see our full guide to every Argentine citizenship pathway.
On 2 October 2026, Argentina's Ministry of Economy officially announced the cost of the program: a USD 350,000 contribution or a USD 800,000 bond for the main applicant, plus set amounts for each family member. Worked totals by family size, and what is still unknown.
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Every decree, court ruling and official announcement on the program, and what is still pending before launch. launch.
The Argentina passport is one of the strongest and most respected travel documents in the world, offering broad mobility, business accessibility, and consistently improving diplomatic reach. As international travel frameworks continue to evolve, the Argentine passport remains a highly attractive option, especially for global entrepreneurs, investors, and individuals considering Argentine Citizenship by Investment.
Argentina's Citizenship by Investment program rests on a decree that is now before the country's Supreme Court. In June 2026, two federal appellate courts declared DNU 366/2025, the instrument that allows a qualifying investment to replace the traditional two-year residency requirement, invalid. The government has appealed, and the Court's decision will determine whether the program's legal foundation is restored, replaced, or left to Congress.
Understand Argentina’s dual citizenship laws, tax rules, and how Decree 524/2025 shapes investor eligibility under the new Citizenship by Investment program.
A complete guide for US citizens considering Argentina's CBI program: dual citizenship, tax implications, passport benefits, and how to apply.
About ArgentinaCitizenships.com
ArgentinaCitizenships.com is dedicated entirely to Argentina's Citizenship by Investment program and run by people with genuine expertise in both the country and the industry. We combine the most current analysis of the program with private guidance for investors and families who intend to apply.
The platform is led by Diego Jäggi, a Swiss-Argentine dual national with nearly a decade of experience in the investment migration industry, having first entered the market in 2016. His Argentine roots provide direct knowledge of the country's legal environment and economic context - while his Swiss background reflects the precision and institutional seriousness this type of content demands.
Every article is researched directly from primary Argentine government sources and reviewed alongside a network of specialists with over ten years of experience in citizenship and investment migration.
If you are considering the Argentina CBI program, check your eligibility and our team will review your situation privately and tell you what to prepare first.
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