Argentina Citizenship – A Complete Guide to Becoming an Argentine Citizen

The eighth-largest country in the world, and the second-largest country in South America, Argentina boasts a diverse landscape that includes the Andes Mountains, thousands of miles of coastline, and numerous deserts, plains, and forests. It is rich in mineral resources, with its name deriving from the Latin word for silver, argentum. One of South America’s largest economies, Argentina is a major exporter of soybeans, wheat, and meat.

The Argentinian passport is currently ranked in the 20th place on the passport index and provides visa-free travel to 170 countries, making it an attractive citizenship to obtain. Argentina passport visa-free countries include the United Kingdom, the UAE, and countries in the Schengen zone of Europe. 

Being of Argentine nationality offers a high degree of global mobility and instant travel opportunities. This guide will cover all possible ways you can obtain Argentine citizenship. 

Benefits of Argentine Citizenship

Here are the key Argentina citizenship benefits: 

• Global mobility
  • With an Argentina passport, you can travel to as many as 170 countries without needing to go through the lengthy, complex, and costly visa application process.
  • You can avoid long visa processing times and travel instantly to a destination of your choice.
• Argentina dual citizenship 
  • As the Argentinian law permits its citizens to hold another citizenship, you can obtain an Argentine citizenship without needing to renounce your existing citizenship.
  • This will enable you to continue enjoying the benefits of your first citizenship, such as land ownership and ease of running businesses, all while taking on a second citizenship.
• Quick pathway to naturalization
  • You can apply for the Argentinian citizenship after residing there for two years, making it relatively easy to acquire citizenship through naturalization. 
• Ability to live and work in Argentina
  • Argentinian citizenship will permit you to live and work in the country without the restrictions that foreigners face.
  • You can be assured of a permanent place of residence and invest in the country without fearing the loss of residency rights.
• Access to public healthcare and social services 
  • As an Argentinian citizen, you can access the country’s public healthcare and social services.

Ways to Obtain Argentina Citizenship

If you want to know how to get Argentina citizenship, review the different pathways below: 

• By Birth 
  • Eligibility requirements
    • According to Argentine law, every person born in Argentine territory automatically acquires Argentine citizenship at birth, regardless of the parents’ nationalities.
    • The only exception is for children born to foreign diplomats (official diplomatic agents), who are not considered born in Argentina for nationality purposes.
• By Descent
  • Eligibility requirements: 
    • Any individual who has at least one Argentinian parent qualifies for Argentina citizenship by descent
  • Required documents 
    • Birth certificate of the applicant, along with an official translation if the language is other than Spanish 
    • Identification document of the applicant that contains the exact name as on their birth certificate, such as their passport or driver’s license. 
    • Proof of the citizenship of the parent like an original birth certificate and a copy of the identity card (DNI) of the Argentinian parent. 
  • Application process
    • You can apply for Argentinian citizenship by descent at the nearest consulate or embassy. If you are over 18 years of age, you can do it alone. Minors will need to be accompanied by their parents. 
    • If you’re submitting the application in Argentina, you can do so at the National Registry of Persons (RENAPER). 
• By Marriage
  • Eligibility requirements: 
    • The applicant should be legally married to an Argentinian citizen and be at least 18 years old. 
    • They should not be facing any criminal prosecution.
  • Residency requirements
    • Applicants in this category do not need to live in Argentina for a two-year period as required for citizenship by naturalization. The waiting period is waived for citizenship by marriage, allowing applicants to apply immediately after marriage. 
  • Required documents
    • Marriage certificate
    • Proof of legal residence in Argentina 
    • Proof of a genuine relationship, such as joint bank accounts or shared properties. 
  • Application process
    • Applicants first need to make an appointment with the Juzgado Civil before submitting their documents in person.
    • The couple will need to undergo interviews to determine if the relationship is genuine or not, to obtain Argentina citizenship by marriage. 
• By Investment 
  • It is not possible to obtain Argentina citizenship by investment. 
  • However, you can obtain Argentina residency by investment by contributing to the Argentine economy. 
• By Naturalization 
  • You can apply for citizenship by naturalization by residing legally in Argentina for two consecutive years. 
  • After submitting the required documents, applicants will need to undergo an interview. 
  • If the court approves their application, they will receive Argentine citizenship. 

Argentina Citizenship by Naturalization 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to obtain Argentine citizenship by naturalization: 

What does Argentina citizenship by naturalization mean?

Becoming an Argentine citizen by naturalization means that you will enjoy the same rights as a citizen who was born in the country. This means that you can live, work, and vote in Argentina. You will also have access to social benefits and enjoy visa-free travel to 170 countries. 

The naturalization process entails living continuously in Argentina for a minimum number of years, learning the Spanish language, and having an understanding of Argentinian culture and history. 

Eligibility criteria 

Review the following Argentina citizenship requirements: 

• Legal residence
  • The individual must have legally resided in Argentina for a continuous period of at least two years before they can apply for citizenship. 
  • You will need to have a residency permit that allows you to work, study, or do business in the country. 
  • Tourist visas do not count towards this period. 
• Age
  • You must be at least 18 years of age. 
• Good conduct
  • The applicant must have a clean criminal record both in their home country and in Argentina. 
• Economic means 
  • You will need to show that you have the financial ability to sustain yourself in Argentina. 

Required documents 

Here are the documents you will need to submit as part of your Argentine citizenship application: 

• Argentine national identity document (DNI) 
  • This is a document that proves your legal residency in Argentina. The DNI is an essential document for your Argentine citizenship application. 
• Certificate of criminal record
  You will require more than one certificate. Here are more details: 
  • Home country and other countries (if applicable)
    • You will require a certificate from your home country and certificates from any country that you’ve lived in for more than six months in the past three years. 
    • It may be called a “Police clearance certificate” in your home country. 
  • Argentina
    • You will also require a certificate of criminal record from the Argentine Registro Nacional de Reincidencia, which is the National Registry of Recurrence of Argentina. 
    • To obtain it, you must book an appointment for the processing of the criminal record certificate and provide your fingerprints in person. 
    • You will then receive the results in your email. You can then print this document and present it as part of your application. 
  • Proof of income 
    • You must show that you have the financial means to support yourself in Argentina. 
    • This can include employment contracts, payslips, bank statements, or tax declarations (if you own a business). 
  • Proof of continuous residence
    • This can include utility bills in your name, rental agreements, or any document that proves that you have been physically present in Argentina.

Application process

Here are the steps to take to apply for Argentine citizenship:

Challenges and Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure a smooth application process without any delays, avoid the following mistakes and watch out for these challenges:

• Incorrect or missing information
  • Ensure that the application forms have been filled out accurately. Check that all the dates, passport or identification numbers, and other details are correct.
  • The name of the applicant should be listed in full on their foreign birth certificate in the case of citizenship by descent. The names on the certificate should not have any omissions or initials.
• Poor Spanish proficiency
  • Even though applicants are not required to sit for a Spanish proficiency exam to obtain citizenship, the interview may be conducted in Spanish. 
  • If your knowledge of Spanish is poor, you may struggle to understand the interviewer’s questions and fail to answer their questions.

Argentina’s Dual Citizenship Policy

One of the main draws of Argentina’s citizenship is the dual citizenship policy. This means that applicants do not need to give up their first citizenship and all the rights and privileges associated with it. Argentina has signed dual citizenship agreements with 11 countries, namely Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Italy, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Spain, and Sweden. 

If the country of your first citizenship does not have a dual citizenship policy, you will need to renounce your citizenship to become an Argentine passport holder. Even though most countries allow you to renounce your citizenship, the laws of some countries do not allow it.

The renunciation of the citizenship process will differ from country to country, but in most situations, you will need to submit a formal request to the nearest embassy or consulate. Thereafter, you may need to appear in person and sign an oath of renunciation before a diplomatic officer. 

Note that you must obtain your Argentinian citizenship before renouncing your first citizenship. 

Other Countries Offering Quick Citizenship Options

Even though Argentina does not offer citizenship by investment, there are other opportunities to explore if you’re looking for some quick citizenship options. This usually entails making a substantial investment in the country through remittance. Some countries also offer real estate options. Many of these countries offer gateways for easy international travel as their passport holders can travel to many destinations without needing a visa. 

Several countries in the Caribbean offer citizenship by investment. Here’s a full list of countries, including those outside of the Caribbean: 

• Antigua & Barbuda
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia

Conclusion 

Argentina is a vast and diverse country that boasts a rich history and culture. With its strong passport ranking, it offers its citizens global mobility. With the short residence period required for citizenship by naturalization and its dual citizenship policy, Argentine citizenship is an attractive option for those looking to gain a second nationality. For those looking to gain another citizenship in a short period, there are also citizenship by investment options available in several countries.

Argentina Citizenship FAQ

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Argentine citizenship: