Citizenship by naturalisation in Argentina
Naturalisation is the way for foreign nationals who live in Argentina permanently and lawfully, or who have invested significant funds in its economy, to obtain Argentine citizenship. The application is examined by the migration authority, not by a court.
Source: argentina.gob.ar — citizenship by naturalisation through the Migration Service
Who can obtain citizenship
After the 2025 reform the citizenship law sets out two grounds for naturalisation.
By residence
- Foreign nationals over 18
- Continuous and lawful residence in Argentina for the two years before the application
- Not a single trip abroad during that period — otherwise the residence does not count as continuous
- The application is filed with the National Directorate of Migration (DNM), not with a court
By investment
- The length of residence in Argentina is irrelevant
- A significant investment in the Argentine economy must be evidenced to the DNM
- Which investments count as significant is determined by Argentina's Ministry of the Economy
Documents to gather
The documents are uploaded as scans or photographs in JPG or PDF format at the second step of the application.
- A scan of both sides of an identity document
- A certificate of no criminal record in Argentina from the National Register of Recidivism (RNR)
- A document evidencing employment or a lawful source of income
- A certificate of CUIT/CUIL registration
- A document from the country of origin (optional)
- Proof of study in Argentina, if the applicant has studied in the country (optional)
How the process runs
The application is filed entirely online through the RaDEx portal of the National Directorate of Migration; an in-person visit is only needed if the system has not confirmed that the conditions are met.
- 1
Registration on the RaDEx portal
The applicant creates an account with a working email address — the login details for the second step and, if needed, the invitation to an appointment at the office will be sent there.
- 2
Filing the form (step 1)
The applicant fills in their personal details. The system automatically checks for a valid residence permit (temporary or permanent), the absence of judicial restrictions and an age of 18 or over.
- 3
Uploading the documents (step 2)
Using the login details received by email after step 1, the applicant logs back into the system and attaches scans or photographs of the documents.
- 4
Review by the migration authority
Once the documents are uploaded the system assigns a case number (expediente); the DNM analyses the documents and communicates the decision by email.
- 5
Issue of the naturalisation certificate and a new DNI
The DNM issues the carta de naturalización and passes the data to the National Register of Persons (RENAPER), which produces a new Argentine identity document.
Timelines and rights
Residence
Actual residence of 2 years
How it differs from the routes next to it
The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.
| Citizenship by naturalisation | Residence for pensioners | Digital nomad residence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa term | Citizenship is indefinite; the passport has the standard validity | Temporary residence for 1 year, renewed while the pension continues | Usually up to 180 days, sometimes +180 |
| Grounds | 2 years of residence | Pension | Remote income |
| Money | There is no fixed minimum, but lawful means of support are required | Income of at least ~5 SMVM per month; fees from ~USD 100 | Income is usually above the subsistence minimum (~USD 1–2k per month); there is no clear-cut threshold |
| Work | The full set of rights: to live, to work, to run a business | Employment and self-employment permitted | You may not work for a local employer |
| Residence | Actual residence of 2 years | You may live legally, rent housing and use medical services | You may live legally for up to a year |
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to citizenship
Naturalisation after 2 years of residence (from 2025)
Frequently asked questions about Citizenship by naturalisation
Who can apply for naturalisation in Argentina?
How long do you have to live in Argentina to obtain citizenship by naturalisation?
Where do you apply for Argentine citizenship?
What documents are needed for the application?
What happens once the application is approved?
Can you obtain citizenship without the two years of residence?
Other ways to move to Argentina
- Residencia PensionadoResidence permit for financially independent people
- Nómada DigitalDigital nomad
- Asilo / RefugioAsylum / refugee status
- Permanent residencePermanent residence
- Temporary residence as a migrant workerWork residence permit
- Temporary residence as a studentStudy
Every route in one list — migration programmes: Argentina.
The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.