Golden Visa for Argentina (CBI)
🇦🇷 1) What Traditionally Exists: Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista)
Before the recent changes, Argentina offered temporary residency visas for investors, which are sometimes informally called a “Golden Visa” (like in other countries), though Argentina did not have a formal Golden Visa program in the European sense.
✔️ Key Points
- Purpose: To grant temporary residency to foreigners who invest capital in economic activity in Argentina.
- How it Works: A foreign investor presents a business plan and proof of investment, and the Argentine immigration authorities evaluate the economic benefit.
- Typical Investment Level: Historically, this has been quite low compared with global Golden Visas — in some sources ~ARS 1.5 million (which is about USD ~1,000–2,000 depending on exchange rates).
That is not a guaranteed minimum, but it reflects past practice and government wording about “investment in business of interest to Argentina.” - Outcome: Visa grants temporary residency (renewable up to ~3 years) with the possibility of transitioning to permanent residency and eventually naturalization through traditional residence rules.
🔹 Traditional Naturalization
- Under Argentina’s older system, once a person has two years of continuous residence (with legal status), they could apply for citizenship by naturalization — similar to many other national routes.
In summary: Argentina has long allowed investor visas, leading to temporary or permanent residency — but no formal Golden Visa that automatically leads to citizenship by investment under the old regime.
🇦🇷 2) New & Major Development: Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program
In 2025–2026, the Argentine government introduced a new Citizenship by Investment (CBI) framework — a true “Golden Visa”-style passport-by-investment route, which is historic for South America.
📌 Legal Basis
- The key legal change comes via Decree 524/2025 (31 July 2025), modifying Argentina’s nationality law to create a “citizen by investment” category. CBI
🧾 Eligibility (What We Know So Far)
Investment Threshold
- Early official guidance and multiple immigration sources point to a minimum investment around USD 500,000 — although the precise amount and sectors are still being finalized by the Ministry of Economy.
- The law sets out investments must be “relevant” and contribute economically — with priority sectors likely including agribusiness, technology, renewable energy, tourism infrastructure, and other strategic areas. Passive real estate purchases (like pure home buying) are generally not acceptable unless explicitly approved.
No Residency Requirement
- Unlike the older residence route, you do not have to live in Argentina before applying for citizenship via this investment — a huge difference from the traditional naturalization path.
Family Inclusion
- Immediate family members (spouse and children under 18) may generally be included as dependents.
Due Diligence & Security Reviews
- Applicants must show legal source of funds, clean criminal record, and undergo inter-agency checks including financial intelligence and security services.
Timeline
- The process is sometimes stated to have a decision window of 30 business days after the investment and background checks are complete — making it relatively fast compared with other citizenship programs.
Benefits
- If successful, you obtain Argentine citizenship and passport (allowing dual nationality), with visa-free access to many countries and full civil rights.
📅 Current Status & Timing
🕐 Program Status (January 2026)
✔️ Legal framework approved: The CBI program is formally in place by decree.
✔️ Government is finalizing regulations: Investment sectors, minimum amounts, and procedural rules are being published.
❓ Applications not yet widely open: Official launch date is anticipated in late 2025 or 2026 once regulatory and administrative infrastructure is fully established.
💬 Some community reports suggest ongoing tendering for program administrators, so full rollout could extend into mid/late 2026 or beyond.
🌍 Why It Matters
Argentina’s CBI program is unusual globally because:
- It ties pure economic contribution to full citizenship without residency requirement.
- As one of the first such programs in South America, it could attract significant global investors.
- Citizenship includes all rights of nationals, including a passport with wide mobility and access to the Mercosur market.
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For comparison, traditional Golden Visas in Europe typically grant residence first and citizenship later (often years later), whereas Argentina’s framework aims for a fast-tracked nationality based largely on capital contribution — though final regulatory details still matter.
📌 Summary Table
| Feature | Investor Visa (Old) | Citizenship by Investment (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Route | Investment → Temporary Residency | Investment → Citizenship |
| Residency Required | Yes (for long-term citizenship) | No |
| Rough Investment | Variable; business startup paths historically low | ~USD 500,000 (expected) |
| Citizenship Timeline | After 2–4 years residency | Fast (once investment & checks done) |
| Family Included | Possible | Yes |
| Launch Status | Active | Framework in place; applications pending |