Decree 366/2025 · Law 346
Argentine Citizenship by Investment for UAE Residents & Investors
A specialized guide for international investors, entrepreneurs, HNWIs and families living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE — regardless of nationality.
You do not need to be a UAE citizen to explore the Argentine citizenship-by-investment framework.

Key facts at a glance
Can UAE residents apply for Argentine Citizenship by Investment?
Potentially, yes. Argentine citizenship by investment is based on the applicable Argentine legal framework and qualifying investment requirements, not on being a UAE citizen. A person living in the UAE may explore the framework regardless of nationality, subject to eligibility, due diligence, documentation, investment requirements and Argentine government review.
- UAE residence is not the same as UAE citizenship.
- Your nationality remains legally relevant to the analysis.
- Living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi does not, by itself, determine eligibility.
- Personal, family and professional circumstances matter.
- Source of funds and source of wealth are likely to be examined.
- Current Argentine rules must be verified before proceeding.
Context
Why this guide is written for people living in the UAE
The UAE is one of the world's most international places to live and do business. Many of its residents hold one nationality, live under a UAE residence permit, run companies in a free zone or on the mainland, bank in several jurisdictions and have family across continents. That combination shapes how an Argentine citizenship-by-investment application should be prepared.
Multinational lives
Residents often combine a home nationality, UAE residence and assets or family in third countries — each relevant to documentation.
Corporate wealth
Wealth frequently sits in free-zone or mainland companies, holding structures or family offices, which must be documented coherently.
Cross-border compliance
International banking and compliance expectations make clear source-of-funds and source-of-wealth records essential.
Mobility planning
Many UAE-based families think about long-term mobility, education and a second base — carefully separated from tax questions.
Banking & capital transfer
Moving qualifying capital from UAE accounts or international holding vehicles to Argentina requires verified wire trails, banking compliance and regulatory clearance.
Remote file preparation
UAE residents can structure their eligibility review, source-of-funds audit and legal file from Dubai or Abu Dhabi before undertaking any formal travel.
Editorial principle
Nationality does not define this guide — UAE residence is the context
This guide is for Indian, British, Russian, Pakistani, Iranian, Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, Chinese, European, African, Arab and other nationals who live, work or invest in the UAE — and for Emirati citizens too. UAE residency is the geographic and lifestyle context of our readers. It is not a nationality requirement.
Nationality can still matter: Argentine authorities may weigh due-diligence, documentary and international-cooperation considerations that differ by country. No nationality is pre-approved, and none is excluded by this website.
Framework
What is Argentine citizenship by investment?
Decree 366/2025 amended Argentina's citizenship law (Law 346) so that a foreign national may qualify for Argentine citizenship on the basis of a relevant investment in Argentina, regardless of the length of prior residence, subject to applicable law. It is an investment-based naturalization framework — not a purchase.
Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión
Created within the Ministry of Economy. It receives and evaluates applications and may request information from relevant authorities.
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones
Responsible for granting or rejecting citizenship under the applicable legal framework.
Due diligence
Applications are subject to review of identity, background, source of funds and source of wealth.
Current announced framework
Investment options under the 2026 program
Option 1
USD 350,000
Direct, non-refundable contribution to the Argentine Treasury.
Option 2
USD 800,000
Subscription to a public security created specifically for the program.
Figures and mechanisms reflect the framework officially announced under Decree 366/2025 and the 2026 program at the date of our last editorial review. They are not permanent or guaranteed. Always verify current implementing rules in the Boletín Oficial and with Argentine counsel before acting.
Family
Spouses and children
Under the announced framework, a spouse and children may apply subject to applicable conditions. Family participation is never automatic: each family member is assessed and must meet documentary and due-diligence requirements.
Spouse, and children aged 18–25 who are unmarried and have no children
USD 100,000
Per person, under the announced framework.
Children under 18
USD 25,000
Per person, under the announced framework.
Family rules may be modified. Verify current official rules before relying on these figures.
Key distinction
UAE residence vs. citizenship vs. tax residency
UAE citizenship
Emirati nationality. Most UAE residents do not hold it, and it is not needed to explore the Argentine framework.
UAE residency
A legal residence status allowing a foreign national to live in the UAE under the applicable immigration framework, usually evidenced by a residence permit and Emirates ID.
UAE tax residency
A separate concept that depends on UAE tax-residency rules and facts. A residence visa does not, by itself, make someone a tax resident; a Tax Residency Certificate is issued by the Federal Tax Authority where applicable.
Argentine citizenship
Nationality granted under Argentine law. Holding it does not, by itself, change your residence status in the UAE.
Argentine residency
Legal immigration residence in Argentina, temporary or permanent. The CBI framework targets citizenship directly, as distinct from traditional residency routes. Citizenship gives the right to reside in Argentina, but it does not by itself establish physical residence there.
Argentine tax residency
Determined by Argentine tax rules and facts, not by citizenship alone. Obtain professional tax advice.
Compliance
Source of funds and source of wealth
Source of funds explains where the specific money used for the investment comes from. Source of wealth explains how the applicant built their overall wealth over time — salary, business ownership, dividends, property sales, inheritance or investments. Both are central to due diligence.
- Bank statements showing the movement of the investment funds
- Employment contracts, salary certificates or business ownership records
- Audited accounts and dividend resolutions of UAE companies
- Sale agreements for property or shares
- Inheritance or gift documentation, where relevant
UAE business
Wealth held through UAE companies and structures
Many UAE residents hold wealth through free-zone companies, mainland LLCs, holding companies, foundations or family-office structures. The application is personal, so the link between the individual and the funds must be shown clearly: ownership, distributions, and the path from the company to the applicant.
- Trade licence and constitutional documents
- Shareholder registers and ultimate beneficial ownership records
- Board or shareholder resolutions approving distributions
- Audited financial statements
- Documentation for multi-jurisdiction holding chains
Preparation
Documentation that may be relevant
Identity
Valid passport(s); details of any other nationalities held.
Civil status
Birth, marriage or divorce certificates; documents establishing family relationships.
Residence
UAE residence permit, Emirates ID, and proof of address.
Criminal records
Police clearance certificates from the UAE and other relevant countries.
Financial
Bank statements, income and wealth evidence, corporate records.
Investment
Evidence of the qualifying contribution or security subscription.
Foreign documents may require legalization or apostille and certified translation into Spanish. The definitive list is set by the current official requirements.
Mobility
International mobility considerations
Argentine citizenship may offer a second nationality, the right to live in Argentina, and access to the Mercosur mobility area under applicable rules. Argentine passport holders currently have visa-free or simplified access to many destinations, but travel rules are set by each destination and can change at any time.
No visa-free access is guaranteed. Check the rules of each destination before travel.
Tax
Tax: keep citizenship and tax residence separate
Acquiring Argentine citizenship does not automatically make a person an Argentine tax resident, and living in the UAE does not automatically make a person a UAE tax resident. Each depends on specific rules and facts. Your home country's rules may also continue to apply.
This website does not provide tax advice. Consult a qualified tax adviser in each relevant jurisdiction.
Readers
Who this guide is for
- International entrepreneurs and founders based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- HNWIs and family offices with UAE-based structures
- Expatriate professionals and corporate executives
- Free-zone business owners
- International families planning long-term mobility
- Emirati citizens interested in a second nationality
Argentina
Why Argentina?
Argentina is a large, culturally rich country with a significant economy, a long tradition of immigration and nationality law that permits dual citizenship in most circumstances. Its investment-based framework is newly established, so careful, current legal analysis matters more than marketing claims.
Overview
The program in one table
| Topic | Currently announced framework |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Law 346 (Citizenship and Naturalisation) and Decree 366/2025 |
| Evaluating body | Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión (Ministry of Economy) |
| Granting authority | Dirección Nacional de Migraciones |
| Main applicant — option A | USD 350,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Treasury |
| Main applicant — option B | USD 800,000 subscription to a public security created for the program |
| Spouse; children 18–25 (unmarried, no children) | USD 100,000 each, as announced |
| Children under 18 | USD 25,000 each, as announced |
| Review | Identity, criminal background, source of funds and source of wealth |
| Outcome | Granted or rejected by the competent authority — never guaranteed |
Profiles
Typical situations of UAE residents exploring the program
The UAE hosts residents from more than 200 nationalities. The questions they bring differ by profile. The examples below are illustrative situations, not real clients or case studies.
Founders in a free zone
Wealth often sits in a DMCC, DIFC, ADGM or other free-zone company. Key issue: documenting dividends, share sales or retained earnings that fund the contribution.
Senior executives
Salary, bonuses and equity awards accumulated over years and countries. Key issue: tracing savings across several banks and jurisdictions.
Multinational families
Spouses of different nationalities and children studying abroad. Key issue: civil-status documents from several countries, legalised and translated.
Long-term residents and Golden Visa holders
People settled in the UAE for many years. Key issue: keeping UAE residence, citizenship and tax residence clearly separate in planning.
Investors with property or portfolios
Wealth from real-estate sales or investment portfolios. Key issue: sale contracts, title records and bank trails for each step.
Family-office structures
Assets held through holding companies, foundations or trusts. Key issue: showing beneficial ownership and the path of funds to the applicant.
Last editorial review:
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