Argentina Officially Launches Tender to Build Its CBI Program: What the New CBI Framework Will Look Like

Argentina has officially taken the decisive step that the investment migration world has been anticipating: the Ministry of Economy has published a global tender to select a “Master Operator” that will design, implement, and run the country’s upcoming Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program.

This is not a rumor, a leak, or speculation. This is the first fully official, publicly released government tender to create the operational and regulatory foundation of Argentina’s CBI framework. The publication marks a historic moment, not just for Argentina, but for the global citizenship-by-investment industry.

As the country moves from conceptual discussions to formal institutional implementation, the details released in this tender provide the clearest picture to date of how the Argentine CBI program will be structured, how it will function, and when it may be positioned for international launch.
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A Landmark Government Announcement

On December 5, 2025, the Ministry of Economy published Tender No. 34-0001-CPU25, the procurement process through which Argentina will select a global consultancy to architect and operate the country’s new CBI program for a four-year term.

The program will be supervised by the Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión (APCI), a decentralized government agency established under Decree 366/2025 and regulated through Decree 524/2025. Government documents estimate that the system may process up to 5,000 favorable approval recommendations during the contract period.

This initiative moves Argentina firmly into the world of structured, high-compliance, economically driven investment migration programs. The tender outlines not only the operational design but also the enforcement mechanisms, timelines, compliance obligations, and performance benchmarks that the selected operator must meet.

Further background on the program’s legal foundations can be found in our Argentina CBI overview.

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The Master Operator’s Role: Architecture, Operation, and Global Rollout

The Master Operator will serve as the technical architect and operational engine of Argentina’s forthcoming CBI program. Unlike other jurisdictions where a single firm may control both program management and distribution, Argentina has deliberately structured the contract to prevent monopolization. The government will compensate the operator only for applications submitted through certified independent agents or third-party firms, ensuring that a broad international ecosystem must be developed rather than a single consolidated channel.

Under this model, all applications whether sourced domestically, internationally or by the operator itself, will pass through a unified evaluation system supervised by APCI. The operator is responsible for designing the full program architecture, establishing investment routes and due diligence procedures, preparing operational manuals, developing Argentina’s international positioning strategy, and managing global promotion over the four-year contract. It must also deliver a digital multi-stage evaluation platform and provide APCI with institutional training.

This structure represents one of the most comprehensive operator roles introduced in the investment migration sector and illustrates the government’s intention to build a robust, globally competitive program from the ground up.

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Four Milestones Define the 48-Month Implementation Timeline

The tender outlines four major stages that shape the timeline for program launch and international rollout:

Milestone 1 | Program Design (Within 2 Months)

The consultancy must deliver:

• Full program rules
  
• Process architecture
  
• Staffing and operational structure
  
• Cost frameworks
  
• Implementation roadmap
  

Nothing moves forward until the APCI Director approves these deliverables.

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Milestone 2 | Implementation & Launch Preparation (Within 6 Months)

This phase involves:

• Building operational capacity
  
• Developing the international go-to-market strategy
  
• Training APCI teams
  
• Preparing the agency to begin receiving applications
  

By the end of this stage, APCI must be fully certified as operationally ready.

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Milestone 3 | Global Launch (Within 12 Months)

This is where the program goes public. The operator must:

• Execute the approved international marketing plan
  
• Penetrate target investor markets
  
• Begin active global promotion
  

This milestone defines the earliest realistic timeline for program rollout: late 2026 or early 2027, depending on contract award timing.

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Milestone 4 | Ongoing Promotion & Technical Support (Through Month 48)

For years 2-4, the consultancy must deliver:

• Annual international promotion plans
  
• Updated strategies for global positioning
  
• Technical support
  
• Operational updates
  

Control checkpoints at months 24, 36, and 48 (and potentially month 60 if extended) ensure continuous accountability.

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High Entry Barriers: Only Top-Tier Global Firms Qualify

The tender imposes unusually strict qualification standards. Bidders must demonstrate:

1. Proven CBI/RBI Program Design Experience

At least one government mandate in the past 10 years is mandatory.

2. Legislative Drafting Capability

Firms must have drafted citizenship or residence legislation elsewhere.

3. Senior Leadership

A minimum of five directors or executives must each possess at least five years of sector-specific experience.

4. Global Network Strength

This includes:

• CBI agents
  
• Banks and financial institutions
  
• Due diligence firms
  
• Legal advisors
  
• Wealth management networks
  

5. Financial Solvency Requirements

The firm must meet strict ratios:

• Debt-to-equity ≤ 0.50
  
• Current ratio ≥ 1.00
  
• Solvency ≥ 2.00
  
• Profit margin ≥ 10%
  

These criteria ensure that only highly capable, well-established global operators enter the competition.

How Bids Are Evaluated: 60% Technical / 40% Economic

The evaluation matrix strongly favors expertise, quality, and capacity rather than price alone.

Technical (60%)

Five categories at 20 points each:

• Program uniqueness & innovation
  
• Expertise & operational capability
  
• Track record in government mandates
  
• Business plan strength & long-term sustainability
  
• International promotional network
  

Economic (40%)

The operator is paid in five tranches of 1,000 approved applications each, with declining coefficients. Payments are issued only after APCI recommends approval.

Rejected applications generate no compensation, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on quality over volume.

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Strict Compliance & Performance Enforcement

Argentina embeds advanced accountability mechanisms:

• Missing major milestones: 1% penalty
  
• Missing annual control points: 0.5% penalty
  
• Five violations allow contract termination
  
• Early termination compensation equals only 100 approvals
  
• Termination possible if approval targets (200 by month 24, 300 by month 36, etc.) are not met
  

This is one of the most tightly regulated and performance-driven tender frameworks in the CBI world.

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Investment Thresholds: Expected, Discussed, but Not Set

The tender leaves one essential element undefined: the minimum investment amount required to participate in the program. While a figure around USD 500,000 has circulated widely in industry expectations and remains a reasonable benchmark based on Argentina’s economic goals and international comparisons, no official threshold has yet been established. The tender, along with the program’s governing decrees, intentionally leaves investment categories and minimums open for the Master Operator to propose.

Once selected, the operator will outline specific routes and financial levels, which may align with the anticipated USD 500,000 range, differ from it, or follow a tiered structure across various economic sectors. These recommendations will then undergo final approval by APCI and the Ministry of Economy.

The tender consistently signals that eligible investments should support Argentina’s “real economy,” suggesting a focus on areas such as agribusiness, renewable energy, technology, tourism infrastructure, industrial capacity, and other productive sectors. Real estate may be permitted if tied to broader economic development rather than passive holdings. Until the operator submits its proposals and the government confirms the framework, the investment minimum remains open.

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What This Means for the Investment Migration Industry

The tender confirms Argentina’s intent to introduce a high-standard, internationally credible CBI program built on strong compliance and clear institutional oversight. Its structure points to a competitive framework balancing economic impact with operational integrity, supported by a coordinated certification ecosystem. This approach is already drawing interest from investors and industry professionals, particularly given Argentina’s geopolitical relevance and passport strength.

A key implication is the early-mover advantage for agents who prepare for certification before the program launches. Those who establish systems and partnerships ahead of time are positioned to dominate the initial phase, which is expected to see concentrated global demand. This is reinforced by the hybrid distribution model in which agents (not the operator) serve as the primary referral channel, opening significant commercial opportunities across the market.

Strong demand from global investors is highly likely. Argentina’s passport quality, reputation, and strategic geography position it as one of the most attractive Western CBI introductions in decades, making it a compelling option for families and entrepreneurs seeking long-term mobility and stability.

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When Can Investors Apply?

The key dates:

• Tender publication: Dec 5, 2025
• Consultation: Dec 5 - Jan 9, 2026
• Submission deadline: Jan 20, 2026
• Contract award likely: April-May 2026
• Milestone 2 completion: Late 2026
• Public program launch: Late 2026 or early 2027

Investors should begin preparing early, especially those who wish to be first in line when the program opens.

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The Future of the Argentina CBI Program

Argentina is building the foundation for what could become one of the most advanced and economically meaningful CBI programs in the market. The tender reveals a strong emphasis on transparent rules, productive investment, and long-term competitiveness. Its structure, separating technical operation from distribution and establishing clear accountability, indicates a program designed for durability and international trust.

Further perspective on why Argentina is positioned to become a major player in the global investment migration landscape can be found in our analysis on why Argentina is emerging as the next citizenship hub.

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Conclusion

This tender is the decisive step that turns Argentina’s Citizenship by Investment program from theory into implementation. With APCI established, timelines defined, and global consultancies now preparing their bids, the program has formally entered its execution phase.

At Argentina Citizenships, we will continue providing timely updates, regulatory analysis, and expert guidance as the program evolves.

If you would like to be notified the moment investment thresholds, categories, and official requirements are confirmed, join our waitlist below.

Argentina’s CBI program is no longer “upcoming.”

It is now under construction.

And the global investment migration community is watching closely.

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