Argentina said on Oct. 2 that it is launching a new citizenship-by-investment program. Under it, foreign nationals would be able to apply for Argentine citizenship in one of two ways: pay $350,000 into the national treasury, or buy a dedicated $800,000 government bond. Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Cabinet Chief Diego Santilli unveiled the plan in Paris during Argentina Week. The government expects applications to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, though it still has not given an exact launch date.
The Economy Ministry said the $350,000 option would be a direct payment to the treasury and would not be refundable. Bloomberg Línea called the measure a "golden passport" program and said Argentina would be the second country after El Salvador to introduce a similar model. In its official statement, the government said the program is part of Argentina’s policy of openness and integration abroad, and said the money raised will go toward further improving the country’s fiscal and financial position.
Caputo says the idea has been in the works for more than a year
Caputo said the idea first came up more than a year ago, and that the government has spent two years working with a specialized firm that had already advised Italy, Spain and Portugal. He said, "The firm advising us has very high expectations. I think this could be the most successful citizenship program." He also said foreign interest is tied to geopolitical conditions and to what he described as the proposal Argentina is now putting forward.
Two routes for main applicants, with family inclusion available
The main applicant would have two choices. Simple enough: make a direct $350,000 payment to the treasury, or buy a special $800,000 bond created for the program. Caputo said the bond would carry zero interest, so holders would earn nothing during the holding period. But the government still has not said when the bond would mature or under what terms it could be redeemed.
Family members could apply alongside the main applicant if they can show proof of the relationship. A spouse, plus children ages 18 to 25 who are unmarried and have no children, would each pay $100,000. Children under 18 would pay $25,000 each. The government’s own example was a family of four—two spouses and two minor children—for a total of $500,000: $350,000 for the main applicant, $100,000 for the spouse, and $25,000 for each child.
Review process covers funds, criminal history and jurisdictional risk
Applications would go through screening. A lot of it. The checks would cover identity, whether the source of funds can be traced and is lawful, financial capacity and assets, jurisdictional risk in the applicant’s home country, criminal and reputational records, and immigration history. The government said the money must move through the formal financial system, and that the standards will match recommendations from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, and the Financial Action Task Force, or FATF.
The Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs would run the review, with input from the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), the Financial Information Unit (UIF), the Security Ministry and the Interior Ministry. After the agency issues a recommendation, Argentina’s National Directorate of Migration would make the final call and either approve or reject the application.
Bloomberg Línea, citing unnamed agency sources, said the people interested so far are mostly high-net-worth individuals. Mostly from the United States. Also from China and from European countries including France and Germany. Those sources said most applicants are not expected to live in Argentina.
Benefits and limits tied to Argentine citizenship
The report also set out what is known so far about the rights and limits that would come with Argentine citizenship obtained through this path.
On passport access, Caputo said the Argentine passport is "accepted by more than 140 countries" because Argentina is seen as an independent country that is not in conflict. A source quoted by Bloomberg Línea used Chinese citizens as an example, saying they need a visa to travel to Paris.
On residence rules, Argentina’s usual naturalization process requires two years of continuous and lawful residence before an application can be filed, with no departures from the country during that span. Under the text of DNU 366/2025, the investment route would apply no matter how long the applicant has lived in Argentina. But there is a catch. The approval procedure linked to that decree was ruled invalid by Argentina’s electoral court on June 30, meaning the framework may still change.
On voting rights, Article 1 of Argentina’s National Electoral Code says naturalized citizens become voters at age 18. Article 12 says voting is mandatory. And Article 125 sets fines for voters between 18 and 70 who do not vote and fail to give a reason to the electoral court within 60 days.
On family applications, spouses and eligible children could file together, with per-person costs running from $25,000 to $100,000.
On Mercosur residence, nationals of member states may apply for temporary residence for up to two years in another member state by proving nationality alone, with no need to state a purpose, and they may seek permanent residence within 90 days before the temporary permit expires. Once residence is granted, they may work under the same labor conditions as local nationals.
On tax treatment, a PwC tax summary says Argentine tax residents are taxed on worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on income sourced in Argentina. A foreign national who gets citizenship through investment would not become an Argentine tax resident just because of naturalization. Normal residence rules would still govern that question.
More details still pending
The Argentine government said the citizenship-by-investment program is expected to start taking applications in the fourth quarter. Still, the opening date, the bond’s maturity and other implementation rules have not yet been announced.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to obtain Argentine citizenship through investment?
The main applicant must either pay $350,000 to the treasury or buy a zero-interest $800,000 bond. A spouse and unmarried children ages 18 to 25 would each pay $100,000, while minor children would each pay $25,000.
Does Argentine citizenship grant visa-free access to the United States?
No. The report said Argentina is not on the current U.S. Department of Homeland Security visa waiver list. The United States only started the process for Argentina’s return in July 2025, so Argentine citizens still need a visa to enter the United States.