Argentina launches citizenship-by-investment program: passport for $500,000
Argentina is launching a program that allows foreigners to obtain citizenship through investment in the country’s economy. The entry threshold is $500,000. The new mechanism is established by Decree 524/2025 and effectively changes the traditional naturalization system by removing the requirement for long-term residence, according to ITC iLand.
Parameters of Argentina’s citizenship-by-investment program
The program предусматривает capital allocation into productive sectors of the economy linked to the real sector and the creation of added value within the country. Priority areas include agribusiness, renewable energy, technology, infrastructure, and tourism. Preference will be given to projects capable of generating economic activity and employment.
Applicants must provide a criminal record certificate. Each application will be screened for the legality of the source of funds as well as other compliance criteria. Migration services, financial control and anti-money laundering bodies, as well as intelligence agencies, will be involved in verifying compliance. Coordination with the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs is also expected.
Processing is expected to take around 30 working days. This timeframe sets the mechanism apart from standard naturalization procedures, which usually take significantly longer. In addition, no prior residence in the country is required. By comparison, standard naturalization in Argentina requires two years of residence.
Why Argentina is offering citizenship for investment
The initiative fits into the economic strategy of the administration of President Javier Milei, aimed at attracting private capital and boosting investment activity after a period of macroeconomic instability.
The core principle of the model is the prioritization of real investments over passive capital placement. The program excludes real estate investments, which have been a subject of debate among experts. The focus is placed on projects that create jobs, develop production, and generate sustainable economic activity within the country.
Industry analysts estimate potential demand at around 2,000 applications per year. Under this scenario, inflows into the economy could reach approximately $2.5 billion annually. These estimates remain preliminary and depend on the final structure and rules of the program.
When the citizenship-by-investment program will launch
Authorities have announced the launch of the program, but it is not yet fully operational. Detailed regulations have not been published, including the exact list of eligible investments and the full application procedure. Launch timelines remain flexible.
There is also a legal risk regarding the initiative’s stability, as citizenship is being implemented through a decree-based mechanism, which may require further legal scrutiny for potential challenges. International attention to citizenship-by-investment schemes is also increasing, which could affect future regulation. Until the new scheme starts, Argentina continues to operate a traditional investor visa that requires a lower investment and grants residency.
International context
The initiative aligns with models already used in several parts of the world. Similar mechanisms exist in the United States, as well as in certain European countries and the Caribbean, where foreign investors receive migration benefits in exchange for significant economic contributions.
Meanwhile, growing interest in Argentina is being observed among major international business figures. Billionaire Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and one of Silicon Valley’s most influential investors, has reportedly purchased a historic mansion in Buenos Aires for around $12 million. The property is located on Dardo Rocha Street in Barrio Parque, an enclave within Palermo Chico, one of the most exclusive residential areas in the Argentine capital.
Prospects for investors
Argentina is a major regional economy with a developed agricultural sector, an energy industry including the Vaca Muerta shale formation, and a growing technology sector.
The Argentine passport is considered relatively strong in the region, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 170 destinations, including the Schengen Area in Europe. Additional advantages include membership in Mercosur, granting the right to live and work in several South American countries, including Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
Analysts at International Investment note that Argentina is seeking to position itself as a competitive destination for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and international investors. The initiative is also seen as a tool to increase state revenues. At the same time, investment in the mass residential housing segment has declined, and developers have increasingly avoided projects with the smallest apartments, which were previously popular among investors.