Argentina Launches Cash for Citizenship Program
The Argentine government is establishing South America's first citizenship-by-investment system to draw foreign funds and strengthen its national treasury reserves.
Argentina announced a new citizenship-by-investment program on Friday, allowing foreign nationals to obtain Argentine nationality through direct monetary contributions or government bond purchases. Economy Minister Luis Caputo and government officials presented the plan during an investment event in Paris. The policy aims to attract foreign capital and rebuild foreign currency reserves under President Javier Milei.
Under the rules released by the Economy Ministry, an individual applicant can qualify by making a non-refundable payment of $350,000 directly to the national treasury. Alternatively, investors can purchase zero-coupon sovereign bonds worth $800,000. The arrangement creates a direct naturalization route that bypasses the traditional requirement of two years of local residency.
The policy also covers family members under set payment structures. An investor may add a spouse or unmarried child aged 18 to 25 without children for an additional $100,000 contribution per person. Children younger than 18 can join the application for a $25,000 payment. A family of four using the treasury donation route would pay roughly $500,000.
The Economy Ministry described the program as part of the country's broader push toward international integration and open markets. Officials want the program to support general economic stabilization efforts as Argentina manages heavy external debt obligations. An advisory consortium assisting the administration projected that the program could generate $2.5 billion over five years.
Screening procedures will involve multiple security and financial bodies. The newly designated Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs will process applicants in coordination with state intelligence, the Financial Information Unit, and the Interior Ministry. Checks will examine the lawful origin of funds and screen for criminal backgrounds.
The government plans to open application intake during the fourth quarter of 2026. Officials are expected to release operational guidelines and complete application instructions before that rollout.
