Argentina’s Digital Nomad Visa Pilot: What We Know So Far

A visa lawyer’s guide for first-time applicants

Argentina has been flirting with the idea of a dedicated digital-nomad visa for years. In early 2022, the National Directorate of Migration finally confirmed a pilot scheme aimed at attracting remote workers—promising low living costs, cosmopolitan cities and Malbec by the litre.

As of publish date (5 Aug 2022), the decree is drafted but not yet in force; several grey areas remain. I’ve been advising relocation clients on Argentine residence options since 2013, and I’ll walk you through what’s clear, what’s probable, and where first-timers usually stumble.

Table of Contents

1. Why Argentina is flirting with nomads
2. Eligibility: who can (and can’t) apply
3. Required documentation
4. Fees, hidden costs & processing times
5. My step-by-step application roadmap
6. Roadblocks I see in practice
7. Frequently asked “but what if…?” questions
8. Final thoughts & next steps

1. Why Argentina Is Courting Remote Workers

The pandemic rearranged talent flows. Countries from Malta to Mexico have rushed out residence permits with revenue requirements conveniently above local average salaries. Argentina’s proposal is more generous:

• Minimum income rumoured at USD 2,500/month.
• Permit length: initial 180 days + one-time 180-day renewal (total 1 year).
• 100 % foreign income = no local income tax (in theory; more on that later).

For digital marketers, dev-ops engineers or location-independent teachers, Buenos Aires offers European-style cafés, world-class healthcare and rent that feels 1990s-priced if you’re paid in dollars.

“High-speed internet, steak below €10 and a median age of 32—Argentina is basically Valencia on a peso diet.”
—A European client, now resident in Palermo Soho

2. Eligibility Criteria

Official regulations are pending, but draft guidelines mirror Argentina’s existing “24-H” temporary work permit and MERCOSUR digital-nomad proposals. Expect the following:

2.1 Employment Status

• Remote employees: work for an entity incorporated outside Argentina.
• Freelancers/contractors: invoices issued to foreign-based clients.
• Company owners: proofs that Argentine operations generate no revenue locally.

2.2 Minimum Income

• Draft sets USD 2,500 net per month for the last three consecutive months.
• Couples may combine income; dependants require an extra +30 %.

2.3 Clean Background

• No criminal convictions in the previous five years.
• Applicants who overstayed visas in Argentina or neighbouring MERCOSUR states will be declined.

2.4 Health Insurance

• International policy covering repatriation and COVID-19 treatment for entire stay.

2.5 Passport & Nationality

• Valid for at least 12 months beyond intended stay.
• Nationals of visa-exempt countries can enter on a tourist stamp and switch status in-country; others must file at the consulate.

3. Required Documents (with Lawyer Comments)

4. Costs & Processing Times

Prepare for three layers of expense:

1. Government fees
   • Visa filing fee: ARS 20,000 (≈ USD 170 at official FX).
   • DNI card conversion: ARS 3,000 (≈ USD 25).
2. Translations & legalizations
   • Official translator (per page): USD 15–25.
   • Hague Apostille: USD 40–100 depending on issuing country.
3. Professional/legal support (optional)
   • Full-service attorney packages run USD 900–1,500.

Processing timeline:

• E-appointment allocation: 1–3 weeks.
• In-person biometrics in Buenos Aires: 1 day.
• Approval: 30–45 calendar days.
• DNI pick-up: additional 10 days.

Compared with Malta’s 2–3 month window for its Nomad Residence Permit, Argentina is speedy—if you get your paperwork exactly right.

5. Application Steps: My Recommended Roadmap

Step 0: Check Your Tax Footprint

Before you fall in love with alfajores, confirm whether 183 days in Argentina would make you a tax resident back home. U.S. citizens, for example, still file worldwide returns; many European nomads juggle “centre of vital interests” tests. Our comparison of U.S. vs. Portugal tax burdens for retirees sheds light on how jurisdictional overlaps can eat savings. BorderPilot’s tax simulator can project scenarios in under five minutes.

Step 1: Collect Background Checks Early

Criminal certificates take longest. U.K. ACRO: 10–15 days. FBI channelers: 24 hours + mail time. Apostille bookings are still backlogged post-COVID.

Step 2: Certify Income

Bank statements must match the name on your passport. If you’re paid in crypto, liquidate to fiat before printing PDFs—Argentina’s migration staff love old-school ledgers.

Step 3: Translate & Apostille

Argentina accepts Spanish or certified English. Non-Spanish documents require sworn translation by an Argentine traductor público after entry, unless you pre-translate abroad. Factor this into your timeline.

Step 4: File Online Pre-Application

The RADEX portal will handle uploads and fee payments. Use Chrome in incognito mode to avoid session timeouts. Remember: file size limit 4 MB – compress scans.

Step 5: Schedule In-Person Appointment

Slots open Mondays at 9 a.m. Buenos Aires time and disappear within minutes—picture Taylor Swift tickets but with fluorescent lighting. BorderPilot’s concierge can monitor and auto-book; DIYers should refresh feverishly.

Step 6: Biometrics & Interview

Bring originals plus copies. Officers usually ask:

1. “What do you do for work?”
2. “Will you invoice Argentine clients?” (Say: ‘No.’)
3. “How long do you plan to stay?” (Answer within visa validity.)

Interviews last 10 minutes if your Spanish is decent; request an English-speaking officer if needed.

Step 7: Wait, But Don’t Leave!

Leaving Argentina while the application is pending voids it, unless you buy a permiso de salida (~ ARS 4,000). I advise clients to hold off on Patagonia trips until approval email lands.

Step 8: Collect DNI & Activate CUIL

Once approved, you’ll receive a residencia precaria document. With this you can open a bank account, get a local SIM and register for CUIL (tax ID). The plastic DNI card follows via mail; sign for it.

6. Common Roadblocks & How to Dodge Them

1. Bank statement names don’t match passport
   • Use a sworn affidavit if you go by a nickname professionally.

2. Income in multiple currencies
   • Convert to USD at the day-of-statement Reuters rate; include a spreadsheet print-out.

3. Expired apostille
   • Remember: 90-day window from date of issuance to date of filing, not biometrics.

4. Overstay on tourist visa
   • Pay the ARS 15,000 fine at Ezeiza airport before biometrics—yes, you can do it pre-emptively.

5. Crypto pay stubs
   • Provide exchange receipts + screenshots of transfers to your bank.

6. Translation certification snafus
   • Hire translators registered with the Colegio de Traductores Públicos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (CTPCBA). Any other seal triggers rejection.

7. Portal glitches
   • If RADEX crashes, email nuevasresidencias@migraciones.gov.ar with your expediente number. Response times have improved to 48 hours.

7. Rapid-Fire Q&A

Q: Will my digital-nomad visa extend to permanent residence later?
A: Unlikely. The pilot is a temporary stay category (art. 24-H) that doesn’t count toward the 2-year requirement for permanent residence. If you plan long-term, consider a student visa or MERCOSUR family link.

Q: Do I pay Argentine income tax?
A: Regulations promise exemption if all income is derived abroad. But tax residency & source rules differ. Clients spending 183+ days are technically tax residents; so far AFIP (tax authority) has not pursued nomads, yet the law still exists. My consolidation: bank income abroad, don’t invoice local companies, and speak to a tax advisor.

Q: Can my spouse and kids tag along?
A: Yes. Dependants need proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates) apostilled & translated. Add +30 % income for the entire family unit.

Q: I’m already in BA on a 90-day tourist stamp—can I switch?
A: Yes, provided your passport nationality is visa-exempt and you apply before the 90 days expire. Otherwise, renew tourist status first or exit/re-enter.

Q: Any region outside Buenos Aires to recommend?
A: Córdoba has the fastest fibre outside the capital; Mendoza’s wine country draws oenophile developers. But migration appointments currently only in CABA (Capital Federal).

8. Final Thoughts (and a Soft Nudge)

Argentina’s digital-nomad visa pilot won’t be the most lucrative in history, nor the strictest. What it does offer is a straightforward application, liveable costs and a gateway to South America’s largest Spanish-speaking talent hub.

If you’re still parsing apostilles vs. translations—or simply wondering how many kilos of yerba mate fit in a carry-on—BorderPilot can crunch the data. Generate a free relocation plan, compare tax paths, and book vetted translators in one dashboard.

¡Nos vemos en Buenos Aires!