Requirements for Argentine Citizenship by Investment
The principal elements an applicant living in the UAE should expect to address. Final requirements are those officially in force when applying.
Requirements in brief
Requirements in brief
Core requirements at a glance
Qualifying investment
One of the officially recognized mechanisms, currently announced as a USD 350,000 contribution or a USD 800,000 program security.
Lawful source of funds
Clear evidence that the money used is lawful and traceable.
Source of wealth
A coherent account of how overall wealth was built.
Clean background
Criminal-record checks and other due-diligence reviews.
Identity & civil status
Valid passport, civil documents and family relationship evidence.
Formalities
Legalization or apostille and Spanish translation as required.
Family
Family members
Spouse; children 18–25, unmarried, without children
USD 100,000
Announced contribution per person.
Children under 18
USD 25,000
Announced contribution per person.
Family applications are assessed individually and are not automatic. Verify current official rules.
UAE documents
Documents commonly sourced in the UAE
- Residence permit and Emirates ID copies
- UAE police clearance certificate
- UAE bank statements and reference letters
- Trade licences, memoranda of association and UBO records
- Salary certificates or employment contracts
- Tax Residency Certificate from the Federal Tax Authority, if relevant to your advisers
UAE-issued documents generally require attestation or legalization for use abroad. Confirm the current procedure with the competent UAE and Argentine authorities.
Clarity
What is not a requirement
- UAE citizenship
- A particular nationality
- Prior residence in Argentina, under the investment framework as announced
Checklist
Detailed document checklist for UAE-based applicants
The official list is defined by the competent authority and may change. The checklist below reflects documents that are commonly relevant for people living in the UAE, so you can prepare early.
| Category | Documents that may be relevant | UAE-specific note |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Valid passport(s), details of every nationality held, prior names | Keep copies of all passports used during your UAE residence |
| Residence | UAE residence permit, Emirates ID, tenancy contract or title deed, utility bills | Ejari or equivalent tenancy registration can support proof of address |
| Civil status | Birth, marriage, divorce certificates; custody documents for minors | Documents issued abroad may need legalisation in the issuing country first |
| Criminal records | Police clearance from the UAE and each country of nationality or prior residence | UAE police clearance certificates are issued by the relevant emirate's police |
| Income | Employment contracts, salary certificates, payslips, bonus letters | Salary certificates from UAE employers are common supporting evidence |
| Business | Trade licence, memorandum of association, share registers, audited accounts, dividend resolutions | Free-zone and mainland companies issue different corporate records |
| Banking | Bank statements showing accumulation and transfer of funds | Statements from UAE and foreign banks may both be needed |
| Assets | Property sale contracts, title deeds, brokerage statements | Dubai Land Department or equivalent records can support property sales |
| Investment | Proof of the contribution or subscription | Transfers should follow the official payment instructions only |
Formalities
Legalisation, apostille and translation
Foreign documents used before Argentine authorities generally must be legalised or apostilled, depending on the issuing country, and translated into Spanish by a certified public translator where required. The applicable route depends on where each document was issued, not on where you live.
- 01
Identify the issuing country of each document
A UAE-issued police certificate and a birth certificate from another country may follow different legalisation routes.
- 02
Confirm the applicable formality
Apostille where both countries apply the Hague Apostille Convention; consular legalisation otherwise. Confirm with official sources at the time of filing.
- 03
Arrange certified translation
Spanish translations by a certified public translator are typically required for documents in other languages, including Arabic and English.
- 04
Check validity periods
Criminal-record certificates and some civil documents may only be accepted if recently issued.
Eligibility
Situations that call for careful prior analysis
- Funds whose origin cannot be documented end-to-end.
- Criminal records, pending proceedings or prior immigration refusals in any country.
- Exposure to international sanctions regimes, directly or through counterparties.
- Politically exposed person (PEP) status, or close association with a PEP.
- Complex structures where beneficial ownership is unclear.
- Inconsistencies between declared income, tax filings and bank records.
These situations do not automatically exclude an applicant, but they make independent legal review before any payment essential.
Source of funds
Source of funds vs. source of wealth
Most delays in investment-citizenship files do not come from the amount invested but from how its origin is explained. Reviewers expect two connected stories: the specific money transferred, and the economic life that produced it.
| Concept | Question answered | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Source of funds (SOF) | Where does this specific transfer come from? | Bank statements showing the funds in the applicant's own account, transfer records |
| Source of wealth (SOW) | How was total wealth accumulated over time? | Company records, dividend history, sale contracts, employment history, inheritance documents |
| Traceability | Can the money be followed from origin to the official account? | Continuous banking trail without undocumented third parties |
UAE profiles
How common UAE wealth routes are usually documented
| Origin of wealth | Documents usually requested |
|---|---|
| Free-zone company dividends (DMCC, DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA) | Trade licence, share register, audited accounts, dividend resolutions, bank credits |
| Sale of a business or shares | Sale and purchase agreement, valuation, proof of receipt of the price |
| Sale of UAE real estate | Title deed, sale contract, Land Department transfer records, bank credit |
| Employment and bonuses | Salary certificates, contracts, payslips, bank history |
| Investment portfolio gains | Broker statements, contract notes, custody statements |
| Inheritance or gifts | Probate or succession documents, deeds of gift, donor's own source of wealth |
| Digital assets | Exchange statements, wallet history, conversion and off-ramp records — usually reviewed with heightened scrutiny |
Exact documentary requirements are those set by the implementing rules in force when applying. This table reflects common compliance practice, not an official list.
Due diligence
What due diligence typically examines
- Criminal records in the country of nationality and in countries of recent residence, including the UAE.
- International sanctions lists and law-enforcement alerts.
- Politically exposed person (PEP) status, which normally triggers enhanced review rather than automatic refusal.
- Consistency of names, dates and civil status across every document.
- Undisclosed prior nationalities, previous refusals or immigration violations.
Grounds for refusal and the review period for criminal records are defined by Argentine law and the program rules. Verify them with Argentine counsel.
Family
Family applications: points that need attention
| Family member | Announced contribution | Points usually reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | USD 100,000 | Marriage certificate, legalised and translated; own background checks |
| Children 18–25, unmarried, without children | USD 100,000 | Proof of age, civil status and, where required, dependency or studies |
| Children under 18 | USD 25,000 | Birth certificate; consent of both parents or proof of sole custody |
| Parents, siblings | Not included as announced | Would require their own separate application |
Where parents are separated or divorced, the consent or custody arrangements for a minor usually need notarised and legalised documentation.
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