Everything you need to reside legally in Argentina in one place: which residency fits you, what documents are required, how filing works before Immigration, and how long it takes — with the legal reading up to date after the annulment of Decree 366/2025.
Argentina regulates the entry, stay and exit of foreign nationals under Law 25,871 and its regulations. There are three main residency categories — transitory, temporary and permanent — plus the provisional precaria. The right one depends on your nationality, the activity you intend to carry out, how long you plan to stay, your family ties, the source of your income, and whether you file inside the country or from abroad.
| Category | Typical purpose | Duration | Grants DNI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transitory | Tourism, business, digital nomad, transit, short technical/academic activities, short medical treatment | Up to 1 year (by subcategory) | No |
| Temporary | Work, study, rentier, pension, investment, MERCOSUR nationality, family reunification, science, sport, religion, humanitarian | Up to 3 years (by criterion) | Yes (temporary DNI) |
| Permanent | Settled status | No migratory expiry | Yes (permanent DNI) |
| Precaria | Provisional authorization while a file is analyzed | Up to 90 days, renewable | No (provisional certificate) |
As a rule, transitory residency does not allow paid activity unless expressly authorized. Temporary residency does allow work during the authorized period. The precaria lets you stay, work and — in many cases — enter and leave the country while the main file is resolved, but it is not a definitive residency and does not create a right to a favorable decision.
The simplest route: based on nationality, without proving employment, income or investment first.
Foreign-sourced rent, dividends or interest, stable and of lawful origin.
A real capital contribution to a viable project with economic impact and jobs.
Working remotely for employers or clients abroad, up to one year.
Spouse, child or parent of an Argentine or a permanent resident.
Contract with an Argentine employer registered as a sponsor (RENURE).
Tourism, business, digital nomad, seasonal worker, transit, short studies and short medical treatment.
MERCOSUR, work, rentier, retiree, investor, students, scientists, athletes, religious, family and humanitarian.
Settled status via arraigo (2 years MERCOSUR / 3 years others), child of an Argentine, and the Brazilian regime.
Documents, apostille, visa vs entry permit vs filing, RADEX, timelines, renewals and a checklist.
In many cases yes, if your entry was regular, your stay is valid and you meet a residency criterion. Not every nationality or category allows it; some applicants must first obtain a visa or an entry permit from abroad.
Not on its own. Property can generate income suitable for the rentier category or form part of an investment project, and a company can qualify as investment or an intra-company transfer, but the full migratory criterion must always be met.
Immigration currently states 2 years (MERCOSUR) or 3 years (non-MERCOSUR) of valid temporary residency, plus physical presence and sufficient means. These rules come from Decree 366/2025 and must be checked against the ongoing litigation.
No. It is transitory (up to one year) for people working remotely for clients abroad. For a DNI and a path to permanent residency, a temporary category such as work or rentier is needed.
Not necessarily. It depends on the offense, the sentence, the date, compliance, pending proceedings, recidivism, nationality, family ties and the category. Hiding a conviction or filing false documents seriously worsens the situation.
Yes. We advise remotely in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese, and can act under power of attorney before Argentine authorities without you traveling. First confidential reply typically within one business day.
See all 22 frequently asked questions →
Updated 19 July 2026. This guide is general information, not personalized legal advice. Rules and required documents can change and each file is decided on its own merits. We recommend a consultation before starting any procedure, particularly while the scope of the annulment of Decree 366/2025 is being clarified.
Tell us your nationality, the reason for your residency, your timeline and your family situation, and we will map the fastest viable path. We work remotely and can act under power of attorney, so you don't have to travel. Confidential first reply, typically within one business day.
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