Argentina Plans to Introduce a New $500K Citizenship Program

Argentina is preparing to launch a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program that would grant foreign investors a path to citizenship in exchange for a minimum US$500,000 investment in qualifying economic projects, according to government sources and local media reports.

This will be the country’s first formal program linking citizenship to direct investment, marking a major policy shift in Argentina’s immigration strategy. The initiative is part of a broader reform package currently being finalized through an emergency decree, which is under review by the Legal and Technical Secretariat.

A new agency under the Ministry of Economy will be established to oversee the program. This entity will be responsible for evaluating and certifying eligible investments, working in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior, the Foreign Ministry, and the National Directorate of Migration.

To ensure legal soundness, the government plans to introduce the initiative through two separate decrees, aiming to minimize the risk of immediate court challenges.

Unlike traditional CBI models that center around passive real estate investments or donations, Argentina’s approach is expected to prioritize contributions to productive, high-impact sectors of the economy.

A Structured Path to Citizenship with Economic Impact at the Core

Argentina’s new proposal reflects a broader trend toward citizenship programs that favor long-term, value-generating contributions. Key highlights include:

• Minimum Investment: Foreign nationals must invest US$500,000 in pre-approved economic projects.

• Sector Focus(expected): Likely areas include agribusiness, tech, energy, and tourism infrastructure, based on their potential for growth and employment.

• Program Administration: A new agency under the Ministry of Economy will handle application vetting and certification.

• Legal Framework: The program will be introduced through two emergency decrees, currently under legal review.

• Mobility & Rights: Argentine citizenship includes visa-free travel to 172 destinations and residency rights in nine South American countries via the Mercosur Agreement.

• Estimated Revenue: If the program attracts 2,000 applicants annually, it could generate around $2.5 billion per year in foreign investment.

• Global Standing: Argentina would immediately become a Tier 2 CBI destination, positioned between Malta and countries like Turkey or the Caribbean in terms of passport value and settlement access.

The initiative fits within President Javier Milei’s broader economic strategy, which aims to attract high-net-worth individuals and direct foreign capital into Argentina’s real economy. If successfully implemented, it could redefine South America’s place in the global investment migration landscape.