Unlike many other nations, obtaining citizenship in Argentina is relatively straightforward. The first step is to obtain your visa, which will allow you to live in the country for one year on a temporary residence permit. When the year has expired, the visa can be extended for an additional year. At the end of the second year, the visa can be extended again for another year. At the end of the third year, you can extend the visa again and receive permanent residency. At this point you will be legally entitled to reside in the Argentina permanently. Two years after receiving your permanent residency, you may apply for citizenship.

Citizenship Timeline

The Citizenship Hearing

The citizenship proceeding is not complex. You will go before a judge who will decide whether or not to grant you citizenship. ARCA will represent you at this hearing. You will be asked to read a page in Spanish from a book or newspaper. You will not be given a written exam or be required to know Argentina's history or constitution. The judge is only interested in determining whether or not you can read.

As long as you have no criminal record, you are in good health, and you haven't tried to collect welfare payments in Argentina, approval should be quick and easy. The judge is basically trying to determine whether you will be a burden to the state or whether you will contribute to society. If you are a citizen in good standing, there should not be any problems.

Citizens of Developing Countries

If you are from a developing country or from a current or former communist country, the judge will likely scrutinize your application more closely. The judge will want to know how long you've lived in Argentina during the two years that you've had your permanent residency to see whether you've broken ties with your former homeland and that you've fully integrated into Argentine society. If you are from a developed country, you will typically receive much less scrutiny.

Simple, Flat Rate Pricing

For an additional fee of $1500, ARCA will assist previous residency clients with the citizenship process. While we cannot teach you Spanish, we can file all citizenship paperwork and represent you at the citizenship hearing. Our attorneys and Immigration Advisors will serve as your advocate to assist you with every step of this process.

Getting Your Passport

After you obtain citizenship, acquiring an Argentina passport is as simple as filling out a form and waiting for the passport to be completed, much the same as it is in your home country.