Running an Argentine company from abroad

Yes, it can be done. A foreign national may hold shares in an Argentine company without relocating, and there is no requirement to bring in an Argentine partner. What is required: tax identification, a structure that satisfies director domicile rules, and a plan for the three stages that most often surprise foreign investors — the tax ID, the bank, and the registered inbound investment.

An individual resident abroad obtains an Argentine tax identification through a representative or authorised third party domiciled in Argentina, who may also act as tax relations administrator before ARCA. Depending on the case, this will be a CUIT or an identification key, with different requirements and scope.

Once registered, the company obtains its own CUIT and must appoint and maintain a tax relations administrator. Without an active appointment it cannot invoice, file returns or complete registrations.

Argentine nationality is not required to manage a company. Domicile is what matters.

• SAS — at least one administrator with actual domicile in Argentina.
• SA — an absolute majority of directors with actual domicile in Argentina.
• SRL — management organised consistently with the law, registry practice and actual operations.
• Registered foreign companies — a representative with a special domicile in Argentina.

Incorporation can be handled entirely remotely through a special power of attorney executed before a notary in the country of origin, apostilled — or consularly legalised where the Hague Convention does not apply — and translated by a sworn translator registered in Argentina.

• The power must list sufficient and specific authorities: to incorporate, subscribe and pay in capital, accept office, obtain tax identification and open accounts.
• Personal details must match the passport exactly, and match what will appear in the bye-laws.
• The draft should be reviewed before signature, because correcting an apostilled power means repeating the entire circuit — notary, apostille, courier, translation.

Documents typically required from the investor

• Valid passport.
• Proof of address and of tax residence.
• Argentine tax identification, obtained through a representative.
• Beneficial ownership and politically-exposed-person declarations.
• Powers of attorney for incorporation, filing and tax matters.
• Source of funds documentation, where required by notaries, banks, registries or other obliged entities.

With the company registered and the CUIT obtained, an account can be requested. Approval depends on each bank's policy: risk profile, activity, nationality and residence of the shareholders, beneficial ownership and source of funds. Banks commonly require contracts, invoices, a business plan, proof of income, parent company financial statements, tax returns, ownership chain documentation and personal attendance by directors or beneficial owners.

This is the point that most affects the economics of the deal, and the one most often addressed too late.

Funds entering from abroad as a direct investment must be channelled and registered correctly so that the company and its shareholders can later access the foreign exchange market to remit dividends or repatriate capital. Contributions made informally, or without documentation evidencing the capital contribution and its settlement, can leave the investment without traceability and compromise the exit of funds. Periodic reporting regimes on external assets and liabilities also apply to companies with foreign shareholding.

• Personal Assets Tax on shareholdings — the company acts as substitute taxpayer for the tax attributable to foreign shareholders. An annual cost of the structure, not of the shareholder, and usually missing from initial projections.
• Accounting services and periodic filings — books, minutes, financial statements, tax returns and e-invoicing.
• Registered seat — proof and maintenance of the registered domicile.
• Director guarantee, in an SA.
• Reporting regimes — beneficial ownership, and external assets and liabilities.

National and local tax registrations; tax relations administrator before ARCA; corporate and accounting books; meetings, minutes and annual approval of financial statements; registry filings and beneficial ownership declarations; e-invoicing and tax returns; employer, workers' compensation and social security registration if there is staff; customs registrations and sector permits for import or export; and keeping officers, seat, capital, shareholdings and powers of attorney up to date.

The company may form part of a residency strategy for the investor, the family group or relocating executives. It does not grant residency on its own: the immigration authority assesses the economic reality of the project, the source and traceability of funds, and the consistency of the structure with the application.

One point to resolve early: a company that will employ foreign nationals must meet specific registration requirements in order to sponsor the residency of its workers and executives. This is the concrete bridge between the company and residency, and it depends on decisions taken at incorporation.

Updated 22 July 2026. Foreign exchange and tax rules change frequently; conditions must be verified at the date of each transaction. This page is general information, not personalized legal advice. Corporate, tax, foreign-exchange and immigration rules change, and every file is decided on its own merits. We recommend a consultation before incorporating or preparing documents abroad.