Argentina continues to signal its pro-free market credentials under its existing government by offering a version of a "golden passport." This puts it alongside a number of other countries that have operated these programmes over the years.

Argentina has joined the ranks of countries offering golden visas. 

Earlier in October, the country announced investment thresholds and initial details for its Citizenship by Investment Program, which is expected to begin accepting applications during the fourth quarter of 2026.  

The programme will offer qualifying investors and their families a direct route to Argentine citizenship without the standard two-year residence requirement, expanding investment-linked citizenship options in Latin America. 

The move by the Latin American country comes at a time when such programmes, sometimes dubbed “golden visas,” have been contentious because of alleged money laundering vulnerabilities and property price impacts. However, they are also drivers of capital into jurisdictions such as Spain, Portugal, the UK, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and Malta.

Some countries, such as Spain, have suspended their schemes in response to domestic political anger over the impact of real estate prices. The UK halted its Tier 1 Investor Visa in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine put a spotlight on Russians’ use of these programmes. On the other hand, New Zealand recently re-established its programme. 

Details
Foreign nationals will be able to choose between two investment options: A direct, non-refundable contribution of $350,000 to the National Treasury; or subscription to a government bond worth $800,000, created specifically for the programme. 

Spouses and children of principal applicants can apply as dependents under the principal applicant, subject to proof of their relationship to the principal applicant and the following additional Treasury contributions: Spouse: $100,000; child aged 18-25 who is unmarried and has no children: $100,000; and child under the age of 18: $25,000.

According to the government announcement, funds must pass through the banking or financial institutions authorised by the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic and meet anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and financial transparency requirements. Applicants will undergo identity, source-of-funds, financial, jurisdictional risk, criminal, reputational and immigration history checks. 

Argentina’s Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs will assess applications with input from intelligence, financial, security and interior authorities, then recommend approval or refusal to the National Immigration Directorate for a final decision. Details about filing procedures, supporting document requirements and overall processing times are likely to be forthcoming.  

The programme was introduced through a 2025 decree as part of a broader immigration overhaul that strengthened immigration controls, revised foreign nationals’ access to public services and changed citizenship procedures.

The business of advising people on these programmes, which are usually aimed at HNW individuals, has spawned an industry of specialist advisors, such as Henley & Partners and Latitude Group. Last week, Latitude said it was a founding member of Argentina Mobility for Investment and Global Opportunity Limited.

Argentina has made something of a move away from the protectionist, Peronist brand of politics that governed the country for decades. Debts mushroomed and the country was cut off from international capital markets. Javier Milei came to office in November 2023, and his party won a majority in 2025. Famous for brandishing a chainsaw to signify his willingness to cut spending and debt, Milei is a fan of classical liberal economics, small governnent and open trade. Argentina's sovereign risk premium has fallen sharply since the start of 2023, from distressed levels above 2,000 basis points to about 500 today.

Milei has recently reheated controversy over Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, which Argentina invaded in 1982 before being ejected by UK forces.