Argentina Introduces Citizenship by Investment Program Starting March 2026
South America's first CBI opens with $200,000 minimum investment threshold.
Argentina has enacted legislation establishing the continent's first citizenship-by-investment program, with applications scheduled to begin in March 2026. The program requires a minimum investment of $200,000 and offers a path to citizenship within two years.
The investment requirements
The Ministry of Interior published implementing regulations in December 2025 outlining three investment pathways:
Real estate option: $200,000 minimum investment in approved residential or commercial property. Properties must be held for at least five years, though citizenship can be granted after 24 months.
Business investment: $500,000 minimum in an Argentine company that creates at least 10 local jobs. The government wants productive investment, not passive holdings.
Government contribution: $150,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund, plus $25,000 in processing fees. The cheapest route on paper, though critics question the value.
All options require applicants to spend at least 60 days per year in Argentina during the two-year processing period. That's looser than most CBI programs, which often have no physical presence requirements at all.
Why Argentina matters
The Argentine passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 170 countries, including the entire Schengen Area, UK, and most of Latin America. That's comparable to Caribbean CBI programs, but the Argentine passport carries less scrutiny at immigration counters.
Argentina also has no wealth tax for non-residents and a territorial tax system for residents who don't qualify as tax residents under the 183-day rule. For investors who actually want to spend time in the country, the tax treatment is more favorable than it first appears.
Buenos Aires has become a hub for remote workers and tech entrepreneurs over the past few years. The peso's volatility means dollar-earners live well. The CBI program formalizes what many digital nomads were already doing informally.
The skeptics have points
Not everyone is convinced Argentina can execute. The country's bureaucracy is legendary for delays. Economic instability has derailed previous residency initiatives. And the current administration's political opponents have already signaled they'll challenge the program if they win the next election.
The two-year timeline to citizenship assumes processing moves on schedule. Given Argentina's track record with government programs, applicants should budget for delays.
There's also the question of international acceptance. CBI programs face increasing scrutiny from the EU and US. Argentina isn't on any watchlists yet, but a poorly administered program could attract negative attention quickly.
How it compares
At $150,000 for the contribution option, Argentina undercuts most Caribbean programs. Dominica and St. Lucia start around $100,000 but have been tightening requirements. St. Kitts recently eliminated its $125,000 donation pathway entirely.
The $200,000 real estate option competes with Turkey (also $200,000) and undercuts Portugal's golden visa funds (EUR 500,000 minimum). Unlike Portugal, Argentina's program actually leads to citizenship, not just residency.
For applicants who want a functional passport without spending Caribbean premium prices, Argentina presents an interesting option. If the program actually works as advertised.
Applications open March 1, 2026 through the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones portal.
