Argentine Citizenship: Online Application Is Now Open

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Argentina has launched online citizenship applications via the RADEX platform, reports Newland Chase. The new procedure moves citizenship processing from the courts to the administration and makes it fully digital. The reform aims to shorten processing times and improve government efficiency.

Foreign nationals aged 18+ who were born outside Argentina, hold temporary or permanent residence, and meet the other requirements of Article 2 of Law No. 346 (Citizenship Law) may apply via the platform. The law now specifies an updated rule for continuous stay—at least two years without leaving the country. Previously, courts could weigh humanitarian or other factors and often did not require strict proof.

Applications may be submitted only while physically present in Argentina. Required documents include:
- Argentine DNI (national ID);
- a valid police clearance from the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia;
- proof of employment or income;

CUIT tax ID and/or CUIL social security number.

The measure is part of a broader migration overhaul that was approved in May 2025. Notably, birth in Argentina no longer grants automatic permanent residence to the parents. This rule had allowed many foreigners—including Russians—to remain in the country. The government tightened the framework to curb so-called “birth tourism.”



Other requirements have also become stricter. Deportation can now follow a conviction with a sentence under three years. Overstays and status violations may also trigger removal. Free public health care is no longer provided to non-residents, except for emergencies; private health insurance is required. Public universities have been allowed to charge tuition to international students.

For wealthy foreigners, Argentina remains open. A new legal option and a tailored CBI program have been developed: by investing $500,000 in the economy—creating a new sector or implementing useful inventions—applicants can obtain fast-track citizenship. Physical presence in Argentina during processing is not required.



Argentina still grants citizenship by birth on its soil regardless of parents’ nationality—except for children of diplomats and members of foreign governments. The primary proof is the birth certificate issued by the clinic. Parents can immediately request a DNI card and/or a passport. For naturalisation, as noted, foreigners may obtain a passport after two years of lawful residence. Grounds for residence include study, work, business, or marriage.

By 2022, Argentina hosted around 2 million migrants—just over 4% of the population—according to the Migration Policy Institute. This ranked the country second in Latin America. Colombia led with about 3.1 million migrants in 2024 (UN DESA). Argentina’s total population is nearly
49 million. The largest foreign communities are from Paraguay, followed by Bolivia, Venezuela, and Peru. At the same time, military coups and economic crises have pushed many Argentines abroad—mainly to Spain, the United States, Italy, and elsewhere.

The political scene is currently less tense, but far from calm. On October 8, the Lower House approved a bill limiting the use of presidential emergency decrees, seen as a challenge to President Javier Milei. He still retains the veto.

The ruling party warned the bill would destabilise governance and create legal uncertainty. Critics counter that decree overuse harms the country. The change would allow the opposition to block decrees with a simple majority in either chamber. This comes ahead of midterm elections on October 26. If Milei’s party underperforms, his reform agenda may face serious obstacles.

Most reforms aim to shrink the state sector and liberalise markets. Yet, as The Daily Economy notes, resistance is strong—especially from less competitive sectors long dependent on subsidies and regulated tariffs (transport, energy, agriculture, parts of industry). Removing support has raised costs and sparked strikes.

Inflation is gradually easing and the peso is firmer, but social and political pressures are building. State-sector workers and unions demand a return of subsidies, while business groups fear that without a solid parliamentary majority, the government cannot sustain reform momentum.