On July 31, 2025, Argentina officially adopted Decree No. 524/2025, establishing the legal foundation for a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. This follows amendments to Citizenship Law No. 346 in May 2025, which opened the door for investors to obtain Argentine passports without meeting traditional residency requirements

A New Pathway for Investors

The government plans to launch a dedicated agency to manage applications and oversee investments. Similar in spirit to the U.S. EB-5 program, Argentina’s model emphasizes job-creating, long-term economic contributions rather than real estate purchases.

The Argentine passport offers substantial advantages:

  • Visa-free or visa-on-arrival to 172 countries, including the entire Schengen Zone.
  • Right of residence across nine South American nations through Mercosur agreements.
  • A potential future addition of visa-free entry to the United States, pending Argentina’s application to rejoin the Visa Waiver Program.

By these metrics, Argentina’s program could immediately rival — and in some aspects surpass — established Caribbean CBI programs.

Expected Investment Threshold

The minimum qualifying contribution is projected at $500,000, though final details remain pending.

Timeline and Implementation

The program is not yet operational. Before launch, authorities must:

  • Define investment requirements in detail.
  • Establish a step-by-step application procedure.
  • Integrate immigration and tax processing systems.

While these steps may take several months, the rapid political momentum — less than two months from proposal to decree — signals Argentina’s determination to enter the CBI market quickly and competitively.

Due diligence will be particularly strict: at least seven government agencies will take part in background checks to ensure compliance with international standards and mitigate national security risks.

International Reactions

The European Union and United States have previously criticized CBI programs, especially those granting Schengen access, and could oppose Argentina’s entry into the market.