🇦🇷Visa options for Argentina
Argentina offers 26 permit types across 12 categories — from visa-free tourist entry and the Digital Nomad residency to the popular Rentista passive income visa, Mercosur simplified residency, and 4 distinct pathways to Argentine citizenship. 20 lead to permanent residency; 21 don't require a job offer. Here's every Argentina permit tracked by VisaMatch.
26permit types
12categories
20PR pathways
21no job needed
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Visa categories in Argentina
All Argentina permit types
Visitor (5)
Visa-Free Tourist Entry Free
Citizens of ~80–90 countries enter visa-free for up to 90 days (USA, Canada, EU/EEA, UK, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, most of Latin America). Health insurance required since May 2025.
Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE) ARS 32,000
Online pre-authorization for ~100 nationalities not eligible for full visa-free entry (Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cuba, and others). Up to 90 days.
Tourist Visa (Embassy / Consulate) ~USD 75
Required for nationals of ~34 countries not eligible for visa-free or AVE entry (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, and others). Up to 90 days.
Transit Visa (Visado de Tránsito) Consular fee
Required for nationals of visa-required countries transiting through Argentina. Airside transit at Ezeiza (EZE) does not require a transit visa for most nationalities. Up to 72 hours.
Business Visitor Entry Free (visa-exempt)
Visa-exempt nationals can enter for business meetings, conferences, and negotiations for up to 90 days under the general tourist entry framework. No separate business visa issued.
Work (5)
Contracted Worker Temporary Residency ARS 100,000
Employer-sponsored work residency; employer must be registered with ARCA and RENURE; contract must comply with Argentine labor law; 1 year renewable; PR pathway after 2 years.
Scientist & Specialized Technical Staff Residency ARS 100,000
For scientists, researchers, and highly specialized technical personnel invited by Argentine institutions, universities, or companies. Institutional invitation letter required.
Sportsperson & Artist Temporary Residency ARS 100,000
For professional athletes, sports team members, and performing artists contracted with Argentine clubs or cultural organizations. Duration tied to contract.
Religious Worker Temporary Residency ARS 100,000
For foreign clergy, missionaries, and religious workers attached to recognized Argentine religious organizations. Letter of appointment required.
Academic Temporary Residency ARS 100,000
For foreign professors, lecturers, and visiting academics invited by Argentine universities or research institutions. Invitation letter required.
Study (1)
Student Temporary Residency ARS 100,000
For students enrolled in recognized Argentine educational institutions. Public universities are tuition-free (reform pending). Duration tied to study program; counts toward 2-year PR threshold.
Family (1)
Family Reunification Temporary Residency ARS 100,000
For spouses, partners, children, and parents of Argentine citizens or residents. DNU 366/2025 removed automatic PR — all must now complete 2-year temporary residency before applying for permanent status. Up to 3 years.
Retirement (2)
Rentista Temporary Residency (Passive Income) ARS 100,000
For foreign nationals with passive income from assets held abroad (real estate rents, dividends, royalties). Minimum 5 × Argentine SMVM (~USD 1,400–2,000/month as of 2025–2026). Income must not come from employment. 1 year renewable; PR after 2 years.
Pensionado Temporary Residency (Retiree / Pensioner) ARS 100,000
For foreign retirees receiving regular pension from a recognized foreign institution. Minimum ~USD 1,300–1,500/month (5 × SMVM as of 2025). 1 year renewable; PR after 2 years. Popular with North American and European retirees.
Investment (1)
Investor Temporary Residency (Inversionista) ARS 100,000
Active investment in a productive, commercial, or service business in Argentina that the applicant will personally manage. Minimum ARS 1,500,000 invested; funds through BCRA-authorized channels; Ministry of Production review. 1 year renewable; PR after 2 years.
Digital Nomad (1)
Digital Nomad Visa (Residencia Transitoria) ARS 100,000
For remote workers from visa-exempt countries. 180 days renewable once (12 months max). Must work for non-Argentine clients only. No official income minimum (practitioners recommend USD 2,000–2,500/month). In-person application at DNM office. Does NOT count toward permanent residency.
Regional — Mercosur (1)
Mercosur & Associated Countries Temporary Residency ARS 50,000
Simplified 2-year residency by nationality alone for citizens of Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. No need to prove activity (work, study, investment). Temporary DNI granted. PR after 2 years.
Humanitarian (2)
Humanitarian Reasons Temporary Residency ARS 100,000 or waived
Discretionary DNM grant for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, vulnerable minors, and other exceptional humanitarian circumstances. Duration case-by-case; PR pathway after 2 years.
Asylum Seeker & Refugee Temporary Residency Free
Argentina is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and Cartagena Declaration. CONARE processes claims; 90-day provisional certificate while pending; 2-year residency on recognition. ~170,000+ refugees in Argentina as of 2024.
Permanent Residency (2)
Permanent Residency (After 2 Years Temporary) ARS 100,000
Standard pathway: 2 continuous years of legal temporary residency. Under DNU 366/2025, absences of 6+ months cancel temporary residency. Once permanent, absences of 12+ months result in automatic loss. Unrestricted DNI and work rights. Citizenship after 2 further continuous years.
Permanent Residency — Family of Argentine Citizen ARS 100,000
Direct permanent residency for spouses, parents, and children of Argentine citizens. Genuine family relationship required with apostilled documents. DNU 366/2025: citizenship still requires 2 years continuous residence after PR is granted.
Special (1)
Medical Treatment Temporary Residency ARS 100,000
For foreign patients receiving treatment at recognized Argentine healthcare facilities. Clinical documentation from Argentine healthcare provider required. Duration tied to treatment period; counts toward 2-year PR threshold.
Citizenship (4)
Citizenship by Naturalization (2-Year Residency) Free
After 2 continuous years of permanent residency with zero departures from Argentina. Any absence resets the clock. Spanish proficiency and social integration required. Applications now via DNM RaDEX system (since October 2025). Argentina permits dual citizenship.
Citizenship by Marriage to Argentine Citizen Free
Spouses of Argentine citizens must now complete 2 years of continuous residence before applying — DNU 366/2025 removed the previous immediate exemption. Processing: 6–18 months from application.
Citizenship by Descent (Argentine-Born Parent) Free
Children of Argentine-born parents can claim citizenship at any Argentine consulate worldwide — no residence in Argentina required. Process takes 6–12 months. Dual citizenship permitted.
Citizenship by Birth on Argentine Territory Free
Automatic citizenship for anyone born on Argentine soil. Exception: children of foreign diplomats. No application required — granted at birth registration. One of Latin America's strongest jus soli policies.
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to Argentina
How many visa types does Argentina offer?
Argentina offers 26 permit types across 12 categories — covering visitor entry, work, study, family reunification, retirement (Rentista/Pensionado), investment, digital nomad, Mercosur regional residency, humanitarian protection, permanent residency, and citizenship pathways (naturalization, marriage, descent, and birth).
Can I move to Argentina without a job offer?
Yes — 21 of Argentina's 26 permit types don't require a pre-arranged job offer. These include the Rentista (passive income), Pensionado (retiree), Digital Nomad, Mercosur simplified residency, family reunification, student, humanitarian, permanent residency, and all four citizenship pathways.
What is the Argentina Rentista visa?
The Rentista visa is Argentina's passive income residency for foreign nationals who support themselves from income derived from assets held abroad — such as rental income, dividends, royalties, or company participations. The income must originate outside Argentina and not derive from personal employment. The minimum required is 5 times the Argentine SMVM (~USD 1,400–2,000/month as of 2025–2026). The initial grant is 1 year, renewable. After 2 continuous years of residence, holders may apply for permanent residency.
How does Argentina's Digital Nomad Visa work?
Argentina's Digital Nomad Visa (Residencia Transitoria como Nómada Digital) is available to nationals of countries that enter Argentina visa-free. It allows remote workers to live legally in Argentina for up to 180 days, renewable once (12 months maximum). Applicants must work for non-Argentine clients only. No official income minimum, but practitioners recommend USD 2,000–2,500/month. The application must be made in-person at a DNM office from within Argentina. This category does NOT count toward permanent residency.
How do I get Argentine citizenship?
Argentina offers citizenship through: (1) naturalization after 2 continuous years of permanent residency with zero departures — any departure resets the clock (Decreto 366/2025); (2) marriage to an Argentine citizen, also requiring 2 years of continuous residence; (3) descent from an Argentine-born parent — no residence required, apply at any Argentine consulate; (4) birth on Argentine soil — automatic at birth registration. Argentina permits dual and multiple citizenship.
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