Discover how to acquire Citizenship in Argentina, including the methods, requirements, necessary documents, procedures, and timelines. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of possessing an Argentine passport as well as the associated rights and advantages.
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Acquiring Citizenship in Argentina is a legal status that permits individuals to live and work in the country without limitations. Argentina passports can be obtained through birth, descent, or naturalization. Prospective Argentine citizens must prepare documents verifying their identity, demonstrate a lack of criminal history, and possess sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language.
An Argentina passport enables its holder to travel freely to numerous countries worldwide, including Europe, South America, and Australia. Argentina citizens have the right to work and pursue education in the country without restrictions.
Methods of acquiring Citizenship in Argentina
Citizenship at birth in Argentina
Any child born on Argentina territory automatically becomes an Argentine citizen. If a baby is born in Argentina, the parents can obtain permanent residency in the country, and the newborn will be an Argentine citizen.
To obtain Argentina citizenship by birth, the parents must provide the following documents:
- Original and copy of the child’s birth certificate
- Original certificate of residence in Argentina
- Original and copies of the birth certificates of both spouses who are applying for citizenship
- Certificates of good conduct from Argentina
Marriage to an Argentine citizen is also one way to obtain citizenship. If the parents are already married, they may start the process of obtaining citizenship by skipping the first step – obtaining a temporary residence permit.
Citizenship by naturalization
Argentina citizenship by naturalization is available to migrants who have had continuous residency in the country for at least two years and have a legal status (temporary residence based on work, study, or business) at the time of application. Previously, this required having a temporary residence permit and staying in the country for at least two more years. However, on March 5, 2021, the requirement was abolished by a decree.
Children of Argentine citizens automatically receive Argentina citizenship, regardless of their place of birth. For people who need protection from persecution in their home country, it is possible to obtain citizenship by applying for political asylum.
Citizenship by work
To obtain Argentina citizenship through work, a foreigner must have a work visa and conclude an employment contract with an employer in Argentina. After that, they can apply for a temporary residence permit, confirming their legal stay in the country, and start working and seeking employment in Argentina.
If the foreigner has not violated the conditions of their stay in Argentina, the temporary residence permit can be extended for one year. After two years of continuous residence and work in Argentina, a foreign worker can apply for citizenship by naturalization. The naturalization process is carried out by a federal court in Argentina.
Citizenship by education
Argentina citizenship can be obtained after obtaining a temporary residence permit through education. To do this, Migrants must enroll in an Argentina university. All higher education institutions in Argentina, including state universities, provide free education, even for foreign students.
To obtain a temporary residence permit through education, it is necessary to contact the Argentina consulate in your country and provide the required documents.
Investment Citizenship
According to Argentina legislation, investing up to $100,000 in local businesses grants immigrants a residency permit. After several years of continuous residence in the country, it is possible to obtain full citizenship.
To obtain an investor’s passport, one must provide a set of documents, including knowledge of the Argentina Constitution, an official employment contract, proof of income, an open bank account in the country, an ID card (DNI), and a birth certificate. Creating jobs for Argentine citizens is also an important requirement for obtaining simplified citizenship.
Retiree Citizenship in Argentina
Legalization in Argentina under the Rentista category is one of the most common ways to obtain a local residency permit. To obtain a temporary residency permit in Argentina under the Rentista way, one must have passive income of at least $1,500 per month for one person (or $2,000 for a family of three) and live in the country for at least 2 years.
Documents for applying for an Argentina residency permit can be submitted remotely through the RaDEX electronic system (pre-registration in this system is required).
After obtaining a temporary residency permit and living in the country for at least 2 years, retirees are eligible to apply for Argentina citizenship. This process may take some time and involves providing documents such as proof of income, a criminal record certificate, a birth certificate, etc.
Overall, obtaining Argentina citizenship under the Rentista category requires time and effort but can be beneficial for those seeking a way to legalize their stay in a country with a high standard of living and economic potential.
Obtaining Argentina Citizenship through property purchase
Although purchasing property in Argentina allows foreigners to apply for an Argentina passport, it does not automatically grant them citizenship or residency in the country. However, owning property does give foreigners the right to obtain a one-year visa to Argentina.
After living in the country for a year, a foreign citizen can apply for residency. To obtain citizenship, property owners must live in Argentina for at least two years as a resident.
How to obtain an Argentina Passport
The process of obtaining Argentina citizenship is a step-by-step procedure that may vary depending on the method of application.
For those seeking citizenship through naturalization, the first step is to gather the necessary documents, which are then submitted to the Buenos Aires National Migration Office. Next, the immigrant must obtain a permanent residency visa and reside in the country with this document for at least two years. After that, they must undergo a naturalization process through the courts to finally obtain their passport.
Obtaining citizenship through birth has its own requirements. Foreign citizens with a child who holds Argentina citizenship are eligible for a simplified citizenship process. Unlike the regular process, which requires a continuous two-year residency in the country, there is no need to wait for this period to apply for a passport. The foreigner must apply to the Argentina consulate and provide documents confirming paternity or maternity, the child’s birth certificate, and identity documents for the applicant.
What documents are needed to apply for Argentina citizenship?
The list of documents required for Argentina citizenship varies depending on the immigration program. In general, applicants must provide the following:
- Certificate of passing the exam on knowledge of the Argentina Constitution (which is not very strict)
- Official employment contract (for work-related immigration)
- Proof of enrollment in a university (for study-related immigration)
- Income certificate (for retirees)
- Open bank account in the country (for retirees)
- DNI (residency permit)
- Birth certificate.
At the time of submitting the documents, the applicant must also file an application not only for citizenship but also for the Spanish language proficiency exam. After gathering all the necessary documents and passing the state language exam, the applicant must go to the nearest court office to obtain citizenship.
Costs and processing times for Citizenship in Argentina
There are different ways to obtain Argentina citizenship, and each has its own cost:
- For foreign citizens with Argentina roots, the citizenship process takes about 14 months and costs around $45-50 per person (for government fees).
- For investors wishing to obtain citizenship through investments, a minimum investment of $35,000 is required in the government-designated area of production or agriculture.
- The cost of obtaining citizenship through birth depends on many factors, such as housing costs, prices in the chosen clinic, and collaboration with immigration experts.
Dual citizenship in Argentina
In Argentina, dual citizenship is allowed only if there is an international agreement on it.
Argentina passport: benefits of an Argentina passport provides numerous benefits and privileges:
- Visiting and living in Argentina without visas, residency permits, or other authorizations
- Official employment without the need for a work permit Free education at local universities
- Visa-free access to 170 countries (Argentina passport ranks 19th in travel freedom among all countries worldwide)
- No passport required for travel within the South American Nations Union (a National Identity Document is sufficient)
- Becoming a full-fledged citizen of Argentina also means enjoying year-round sunshine without the fear of deportation.
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Migrants reviews of obtaining Citizenship in Argentina
Argentina is an attractive country for obtaining citizenship among migrants for several reasons. For example, the cost of living in Argentina is relatively low: rent, food, clothing, and many other expenses are significantly cheaper than in many other countries.
However, when considering the possibility of obtaining Argentina citizenship, it is important to also consider some drawbacks. For instance, finding employment in Argentina can be challenging, and salaries are not very high, which can be difficult for those seeking opportunities to earn a living.
Despite this, many migrants still choose to obtain Argentina citizenship. They seek assistance from local lawyers who can help obtain a temporary residency permit through the Ranté program or student visa, as well as provide VIP support for obtaining citizenship through the birth of a child or organizing childbirth.
