Argentina (AR)

Argentina is South America's second-largest country — a land of European-influenced culture, world-class wine, legendary beef, breathtaking landscapes from Patagonia to the Andes, and one of the most vibrant expat communities in Latin America.

Capital: Buenos Aires

Region: Americas

Language: Spanish

Currency: ARS ($)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 25)

Emergency: 911

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Argentina.

Visa-Free Access

Citizens of the USA, UK, EU/Schengen countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and most Latin American countries can enter Argentina visa-free for 90 days (renewable by border run). Mercosur and associated state nationals (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname) can enter with just a national ID card and have simplified residency options under PATRIA GRANDE.

All residence permits are applied for at Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (Av. Antártida Argentina 1355, Buenos Aires) or at any Delegación de Migraciones in provincial capitals. Book appointments at migraciones.gob.ar or via the TAD (Trámites a Distancia) online platform. Non-Mercosur nationals: expect the process to take 2–4 months. During processing, you receive a Precaria (temporary permission to remain). Overstaying your tourist visa or Precaria is an immigration violation and can result in denial of future residency applications.

Tourist Visa (visa de turismo)

Visa de Turismo / Entrada sin Visa

Free

Duration: 90 days, extendable once for additional 90 days (prorroga) at Migraciones Buenos Aires

Eligibility

Nationals of most Western countries — 90 days granted on arrival, free of charge

Processing time

Immediate on arrival

Requirements

✓Valid passport (6 months validity)
✓Return ticket recommended but not always checked
✓Proof of sufficient funds may be requested
✓No work authorisation — technically illegal to work locally

💡 The most common entry for new expats. Technically not valid for local employment. "Border runs" (salida del país) to Uruguay, Paraguay, or Chile reset the 90 days. Migraciones increasingly scrutinises those doing multiple consecutive border runs — risk of being denied re-entry if pattern appears to circumvent residency requirements. After 1+ years on tourist visa, Migraciones may question intent.

Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporaria)

Residencia Temporaria

ARS 10,000–50,000 (government fee, inflation-adjusted)

Duration: 1 year (renewable annually for up to 3 years; then eligible for permanent residence)

Eligibility

Non-Mercosur nationals with a qualifying purpose: work, rentista income, family ties, student, investor, scientist, sportsperson, or pensionado

Processing time

2–4 months at Migraciones Buenos Aires (Av. Antártida Argentina 1355)

Requirements

✓Valid passport + certified copies
✓Birth certificate (apostilled + Spanish translation)
✓Criminal record certificate from home country (apostilled + translated)
✓DNI-size photos
✓Proof of category-specific qualification (income documents, employment contract, etc.)
✓Completed application forms
✓Biometric appointment at Migraciones

💡 Temporary residence leads to DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) issuance — the Argentine national identity document given to all residents. The DNI is essential for banking, healthcare, education, property purchase, and SUBE card. During processing, applicants receive a Precaria (temporary certificate of status) that allows normal residence while application is processed.

Permanent Residence (Residencia Permanente)

Residencia Permanente

ARS 15,000–60,000

Duration: Permanent (renewal of DNI every 5–10 years)

Eligibility

After 3 years of temporary residence OR immediate for parents/children/spouses of Argentine citizens

Processing time

3–6 months

Requirements

✓3 years of continuous temporary residence
✓Clean criminal record in Argentina
✓Proof of continued purpose/employment/income
✓Biometric appointment

💡 Permanent residence leads to DNI with longer validity. Path to naturalisation (citizenship) after 2 years of permanent residence (total 5 years of residence minimum). Permanent residents have nearly identical rights to citizens for work, healthcare, and education.

PATRIA GRANDE Programme (Mercosur Residency)

Acuerdo de Residencia del MERCOSUR (PATRIA GRANDE)

Minimal (ARS 3,000–8,000)

Duration: 2-year temporary residence initially, then permanent residence

Eligibility

Nationals of Mercosur and associated countries: Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela

Processing time

30 days or less — one of the fastest residency programmes in the world for eligible nationals

Requirements

✓Valid passport or national ID
✓Birth certificate
✓Clean criminal record

💡 PATRIA GRANDE allows Mercosur-bloc nationals to get Argentine residency in weeks with minimal requirements. There is no income threshold, no minimum stay requirement, and no employer sponsorship needed. Upon approval, the applicant receives full temporary residence and can apply for DNI. Brazilians, Uruguayans, and Colombians benefit particularly from the extremely low barriers.

Rentista Temporary Residence

Digital Nomad

Residencia Temporaria Rentista

ARS 10,000–50,000 (fee, inflation-adjusted)

Duration: 1 year, renewable annually. After 3 consecutive years: eligible for permanent residence

Eligibility

Foreign nationals with regular income from abroad — pension, rental income, dividends, foreign salary, remote work income — at a minimum of 5× the Argentine Minimum Vital and Mobile Salary (SMVM), approximately USD 1,300–1,800/month equivalent at 2026 official exchange rates. The SMVM is updated regularly by the MTEySS — verify the current threshold at trabajo.gob.ar before applying.

Processing time

2–4 months at Migraciones

Requirements

✓Proof of regular foreign income (bank statements, pension certificates, rental contracts) for last 6 months
✓Income must be recurring and above the current 5× SMVM threshold
✓Criminal record from home country (apostilled + translated)
✓Birth certificate (apostilled + translated)
✓Valid passport
✓No specific Argentine employer required

💡 The rentista visa is the practical solution for digital nomads, remote workers, retirees with pensions, and anyone with consistent foreign income. It does not restrict working for foreign employers remotely. Argentina has not introduced a dedicated "digital nomad visa" as of 2026 — the rentista category effectively serves this purpose. The income threshold is set in ARS and linked to the SMVM; due to Argentine inflation, the USD-equivalent figure changes frequently — always check the current SMVM before budgeting.

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