The Government of Javier Milei announced on Friday, October 2, a "golden passport" program to grant citizenship to foreign investors who pay a non-refundable contribution of $350,000 or who invest $800,000 in a Government bond for a minimum of seven years. The application period will open in the fourth quarter of 2026, as reported by the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo.
First modification: 10/02/2026 - 22:51 Last modification: 10/02/2026 - 22:56
Foreign investors who make "relevant" contributions in cash or buy government bonds will obtain nationality in Argentina through the "golden passport" program, announced on Friday, October 2, by the Argentine Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, and the Chief of Staff, Diego Santilli, during an event in Paris, framed in President Javier Milei's trip to France.
The Argentine Treasury faces foreign currency debt payments of almost $25 billion that are due in 2027, so ensuring access to dollars is crucial for the Milei Administration, which is preparing to seek re-election in 2027.
To this end, it has also decreed austerity measures and the stimulation of foreign investment through an incentive program known as RIGI.
"This announcement is part of the continuous process of opening and international integration of Argentina," highlighted Caputo.
A consortium of investment firms advising the government estimated that the paid citizenship program could raise up to $2.5 billion for Argentina if it receives the expected number of applicants.
The resources obtained will be used, according to the Executive, to "continue strengthening the fiscal and financial position of the Argentine Republic."
Conditions for applicants
Foreigners who want to aspire to the golden passport in Argentina will have two options: make a non-refundable contribution of $350,000 to the Argentine Treasury or invest $800,000 in a new Government bond that they must maintain for seven years.
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The applicant's spouse, as well as their single children between 18 and 25 years old without children of their own, can also apply for citizenship by contributing $100,000 each to the Argentine treasury. Those under 18 years of age can request it by contributing $25,000.
Thus, a family of four people—two adults and two minors—will have to pay $500,000 to obtain citizenship, according to authorities.
Deadlines to apply for the golden visa
The golden passport is intended to be launched before the end of the year, according to Economy Minister Caputo, who assured that the application period will open from the fourth quarter of 2026, without providing further details.
Jeremy Savory, CEO of the consulting firm Millionaire Migrant, based in the United Arab Emirates and specializing in citizenship and residency by investment programs, recently launched a waiting list for those interested in applying for the Argentine program. "There are a lot of people interested," he said.
Along the same lines, Minister Luis Caputo highlighted that "the Argentine passport is highly valued and accepted in more than 140 countries," referring to the destinations that Argentines can visit without obtaining a visa in advance, from China and Russia to the Schengen area of Europe and most of Latin America.
Caputo explained that the idea for the citizenship by investment program arose during Milei's visit to Sun Valley, Idaho, in July 2024, when technology sector executives expressed interest in obtaining Argentine citizenship.
Risks of citizenship due to investment
So-called "golden visa" programs have become popular among economically challenged countries seeking to attract wealthy foreigners. Around 60 nations offer residency privileges in exchange for one-time investments. Even US President Donald Trump launched the "gold card" initiative in 2025.
Some of these mechanisms, which also offer citizenship to foreign capital, go further by granting more rights and a passport that opens doors abroad, as could happen in Argentina with investors from Middle Eastern countries, whose documents have more restrictions at international airports.
Only a dozen countries have active citizenship-by-investment programs, including small island states in the Caribbean. Argentina, a G-20 nation of 46 million people, is about to become the first South American country to join its ranks.
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However, these programs have long been criticized due to their vulnerability to corruption. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering control body, has warned that criminals take advantage of these legal figures of citizenship and residence to hide their identities, launder illicit wealth and evade justice.
The European Court of Justice declared Malta's golden passport program illegal in April 2025, ruling that European citizenship could not be sold. Other countries have also eliminated cash-based residency programs, citing concerns ranging from money laundering to housing affordability.
Minister Caputo promised that the intelligence and financial supervision agencies will collaborate in verifying the identity of the applicants, their criminal records and the origin of their funds to prevent this type of problems.
The evaluation will be carried out by the Citizenship by Investment Program Agency, with the intervention of the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE), the Financial Information Unit (UIF) and the ministries of Security and the Interior. The agency will send its recommendation to the National Immigration Directorate, which will approve or reject each application.
With information from AP, Reuters, EFE and local media.
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