Argentina Investor Visa is one of the attractive programs that allow temporary residency through a qualifying investment in an active Argentine business. The country has already made big strides in improving foreign investment by introducing a one of its kind citizenship-by investment program, which is still in the works.
The investor Visa also comes with several benefits. The minimum investment starts at ARS 1,500,000 (about $1,000). There is also a quick route to permanent residency after only two years of continuous residency and maintenance of the investment.
Argentina is building a foundation in investment migration, and at Global Citizen Solutions, we are seeing more and more investors gravitate towards making their mark in Latin American countries. However, as laws change and programs evolve, we want prospective clients and investors to stay informed at every step.
This guide explains how the Argentina Investor Visa works, who qualifies, the application process, benefits, tax obligations and more.
Argentina Investor Visa – Key Takeaways
What is the Argentina Investor Visa?
The Argentina investor visa (residencia temporaria como inversionista) is a temporary residency permit for foreigners who invest in a productive business in Argentina starting at ARS 1,500,000, about $100,000. This can be a company specializing in tech, tourism, agriculture or hospitality. The investor visa leads to a one-year residence permit that can be renewed. Another enticing aspect of the program is that after only two years of continuous residence and maintaining the investment, you can move toward permanent residency, and eventually citizenship.
To qualify, an interested applicant needs a business plan, proof that the funds come from a legal source, a clean criminal record, and, in most cases, a registered Argentine company. The process also involves a review by the Ministry of Economy to make sure the business project is legitimate.
Benefits of the Argentina Investor Visa
- Legal residency without a huge investment: If Argentina is compared to other European Golden Visas then the investment requirement is fairly low than most. The minimum investment is ARS 1.5 million converted to around $100,000, depending on interpretation.
- The right to live and run a business there: Anyone under the investor visa can live in Argentina long term, run their company, and enjoy the basic rights that will only improve once permanent residency has been obtained.
- A short path to permanent residency: After about two years of continuous residence you can quickly get permanent residency and then citizenship through naturalization. Argentina’s naturalization period is two-years, which is among the shortest in Latin America.
- A strong passport: Argentina’s passport is ranked around 52nd on our Global Passport Index, and gives visa free and visa on arrival access to 174 countries, including the Schengen Area. .
- Real business opportunity: Argentina is Latin America’s third-largest economy, with thriving sectors in agriculture, energy, mining, tourism and technology. As an international investor, you can benefit from several government incentives to attract foreign capital.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Argentina Investor Visa?
To qualify for the Argentine temporary residence permit you need to meet the following requirements.
- Be a foreign national. Mercosur members have different rules to follow.
- Draft and submit your business plan.
- Invest a minimum of ARS 1,500,00 in an active business.
- You must either personally manage or participate in a business in Argentina.
- You need an Argentine business structure, such as an SAS or SA.
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Prove that your funds are legitimate
- You must maintain your investment to be able to renew your residence permit and be eligible for. permanent residency.
Documents Required for the Investor Visa in Argentina
- A valid passport
- Criminal record certificate from your home country
- Birth certificate
- A business plan showing how the business will economically benefit Argentina.
- Proof of where your funds came from, this can be bank statements, tax returns etc. Argentina applies strict anti-money-laundering checks to investors.
- Proof the investment was made, such as company registration, share purchase, bank transfers,
- Registered Argentine company details. You register your company before or during the application.
- Application forms and government fees
To make the process easier, it is highly advisable to have a team of legal professionals from a reputable agency like Global Citizen Solutions, to help you navigate all the legalities of the investor visa. This will guarantee investing in a legitimate business, and having experts guide you through every step of the way.
How the Application Process for the Argentina Investor Visa Works
- Step 1: Plan the investment: The first step will have to be choosing the business you would like to invest in or establish. This is where it is advisable to work with immigration agencies like Global Citizen Solutions to guide you through the process from the start.
- Step 2: Set up the structure: Once the business has been chosen, the following step will be setting up the structure, such as an SAS which is a simplified, startup-friendly company type or an SA.
- Step 3: Make the investment and keep track of all the records.
- 4. Step 4: Collect and legalize documents and make sure they are apostille and translated into Spanish.
- Step 5: Submit to Migraciones: This is when your application will be reviewed by the Ministry of Economy to assess whether the project is real and productive.
- Step 6: Receive you temporary residence permit. Once you have your permit you will get a DNI, which is the national ID and tax ID.
- Step 7: Renew your residence permit and make sure to keep the investment going.
Tax Obligation for Investor Visa Holders in Argentina
As a person under the Argentina Investor Visa, your own personal income will only be taxed once you become a tax resident. This means spending more than 183 days in the country to then have your worldwide income taxed.
However, the business will be taxed separately from your personal income.
| Tax | Typical rate | What it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax (Impuesto a las Ganancias) | 25% to 35%, depending on annual net taxable income | The company’s annual profit |
| VAT (IVA) | 21% on most goods and services | Sales of goods and services |
| Wealth tax on company shares (Bienes Personales) | 0.5% on equity held in Argentine entities by foreign investors and resident individuals | The value of your shares in the company |
| Provincial turnover tax (Ingresos Brutos) | Varies by province and activity, often roughly 1% to 5% or more | Gross revenue, regardless of profit |
| Employer social security contributions | Commonly around a quarter of salaries | Wages you pay to employees |
| Bank debit and credit tax | Around 0.6% on each debit and credit | Movements in company bank accounts |
| Municipal fees | Varies by city | Local business licences, inspections and services |
| Dividend withholding tax | Commonly around 7% | Profits paid out to shareholders |
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
