Argentina
Argentina visa guide: entry, residence and refugee routes
- 9 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Argentina work
Argentina's immigration system is run by the National Directorate of Migration (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, DNM) under Law 25.871, while visas abroad are issued by the consulates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería). According to the DNM's visa regime table, many nationalities need no visa to visit Argentina as tourists, while others obtain a tourist visa at a consulate; the authorised tourist stay is up to three months and can be extended once at the DNM.
Anyone who wants to live in Argentina applies for a residence (radicación): transitory (for example the digital nomad residence), temporary (rentista, pensioner, worker, student, family reunification and others) or permanent. Most residence applications are filed online in the DNM's RaDEX system from inside Argentina, followed by an in-person appointment; some categories can instead start with a visa at a consulate abroad, at the Argentine mission responsible for the applicant's place of residence.
DNM fees are expressed in UMSM (Unidad de Medida de Servicios Migratorios), currently ARS 1,000 each: a temporary or permanent residence costs 100 UMSM for non-MERCOSUR nationals. Several income thresholds are set as multiples of the national minimum wage (Salario Mínimo, Vital y Móvil), which is ARS 391,200 from 1 October 2026. Consular visa fees are charged in US dollars or euros.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday of up to 3 months: no visa if your nationality is exempt in the DNM visa regime table, otherwise a tourist visa from a consulate; extend once at the DNM if needed.
Professional, business or study activity for a short period as a visa-exempt national: the online TIE 24 H entry procedure.
Working remotely for foreign clients: the digital nomad transitory residence (180 days, extendable once).
Living on a foreign pension or on income from assets: temporary residence as pensionado or rentista (5 minimum wages a month).
University or secondary studies: student temporary residence or the study visa from a consulate.
A job with an Argentine employer: worker residence or the work visa.
Joining an Argentine or a resident relative: family reunification residence.
After 3 years of temporary residence (non-MERCOSUR): permanent residence by arraigo.
Visa types for Argentina
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Tourist entry and tourist visa (residencia transitoria – turista)
Many nationalities can visit Argentina as tourists without a visa; the DNM's visa regime table states the rule for each passport.
Maximum stay: Up to 3 months, extendable once for a similar period
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Business visa and electronic entry procedure TIE 24 H (Tramitación de Ingreso Electrónica)
Business travellers from visa-required countries apply at an Argentine consulate for a business visa, which costs USD or EUR 200 and allows stays of up to 60 days.
Maximum stay: Business visa: up to 60 days
Study and training
- Student visa Student temporary residence and study visa (official education system)
Foreigners studying at secondary, tertiary, university or postgraduate level in Argentina's official education system can obtain a one-year renewable student temporary residence through RaDEX inside Argentina, or apply beforehand for a study visa at the Argentine consulate for their place of residence, which authorises a stay of up to two years.
Maximum stay: Residence: 1 year, renewable; consular study visa: up to 2 years
Work
- Digital nomad visa Transitory residence as a digital nomad (residencia transitoria – nómada digital)
Argentina offers a 180-day transitory residence, extendable once for the same period, to foreigners who work remotely for people or companies based abroad.
Maximum stay: 180 days, extendable once for the same period - Work visa Temporary residence as a migrant worker and work visa (trabajador migrante)
Foreigners hired by an Argentine employer obtain a one-year renewable temporary residence as a migrant worker.
Maximum stay: 1 year, renewable
Family
- Family reunification visa Temporary residence and visa for family reunification (reunificación familiar)
Spouses, parents and children of Argentine citizens, and spouses, parents and unmarried minor (or disabled adult) children of temporary or permanent residents, can obtain temporary residence for family reunification.
Maximum stay: Same as the sponsor's residence; up to 3 years when the sponsor is Argentine or a permanent resident
Residence
- Retirement visa Temporary residence as pensioner (pensionado) or rentista
Argentina grants a one-year renewable temporary residence to pensioners who receive a regular foreign pension and to rentistas who live on income from assets abroad.
Maximum stay: 1 year, renewable - Permanent residence Permanent residence (radicación permanente), including by arraigo
Argentina grants permanent residence under article 22 of Law 25.871, amended by Decree 366/2025, to children of Argentines born abroad and to foreigners with arraigo: non-MERCOSUR nationals after three years of temporary residence (two years for MERCOSUR nationals), provided they have sufficient means, spent at least half of the authorised period in Argentina and were not abroad for six consecutive months or more.
Maximum stay: Permanent
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Recognition of refugee status (Comisión Nacional para los Refugiados, CONARE)
Argentina's National Commission for Refugees (CONARE) decides claims under Law 26.165.
Validity: Provisional certificate valid 90 days, renewable
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Argentina?
It depends on your nationality. The DNM's visa regime table shows which passports are exempt for tourism; exempt tourists may stay up to three months, extendable once, while others apply at an Argentine consulate for a USD 150 tourist visa.
Does Argentina have a digital nomad visa?
Yes, a transitory residence for digital nomads of 180 days, extendable once, open to nationals of countries that do not need a tourist visa.
How much income do I need to retire in Argentina?
A pension or asset income of at least 5 minimum wages a month, which is ARS 1,956,000 based on the minimum wage of ARS 391,200 from 1 October 2026.
Where do I apply for residence?
Usually online in the DNM's RaDEX system while in Argentina, followed by an in-person appointment. Some categories can begin with a visa at an Argentine consulate.
How much are DNM fees?
Fees are in UMSM worth ARS 1,000 each: temporary or permanent residence costs 100 UMSM for non-MERCOSUR nationals, and a transitory residence 32 UMSM.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.