Argentina is moving closer to launching a so-called golden passport scheme, and experts say the initiative is set to be one of the most influential in the world.
The program will be the first of its kind to launch in South America, and it’s poised to offer unique benefits, including proximity to the United States, a foothold in a nation with a G20 economy, and visa-free access to a long list of countries around the globe.
Golden passport schemes are immigration programs in which nations offer individuals citizenship in return for significant investments into certain sectors. From a policy standpoint, Argentina’s program is expected to be “unlike anything else on the market,” according to the website at Arton Capital, an investment firm specializing in global citizenship. Immigration experts say Argentina plans to make it more accessible than competing programs, with unique structural benefits like a brief application processing period and the potential for family members to join the primary investor for free.
Here’s a look at what we know about the program so far, including its anticipated launch date and benefits.
When is Argentina launching a golden passport?
The legal basis for Argentina’s citizenship by investment program was first passed in July 2025, when President Javier Milei signed Decree 524/2025. This legislation established the opportunity for international investors to apply for the citizenship without having residence in Argentina.
The program is now in its final implementation phase, according to Arton Capital. However, officials are still deliberating over crucial policy details, like investment thresholds and qualifying sectors, as well as application procedures.
In late April 2026, Milei appointed an executive director to help build and implement the program’s framework. With this important development, experts are predicting that the program will officially launch in the second half of 2026.
What differentiates it from other golden passports?
Argentina’s citizen by investment scheme will offer numerous perks for travelers, including unlocking frictionless access to some of the most popular international destinations. The country’s passport is ranked No. 16 in the world, offering top-tier mobility and visa-free access to 114 countries, according to Passport Index.
This will be a key draw for investors and global citizens. “Given its proximity to the United States, and suspected visa-free access to the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Japan, Argentina’s program will be a very appealing option for those wanting optionality without having to entirely relocate their lives,” says Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital and founder of the Passport Index.
Travelers with an Argentine passport also get open travel access to South American nations that are part of the Mercosur bloc, including Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru.
Another key perk is the program’s short approval time. Applications are set to take 30 business days to process, according to Argentina’s Ministry of Economy. This will likely make Argentina’s golden passport “very competitive within the industry,” Arton says. “It could distinguish itself with projected 30-day processing times, rivaling the current market-leading processing times of Caribbean programs, including Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda,” he says.
However, it’s important to note that these are all just proposals at this point. Travelers will need to wait for the program’s official launch to know for sure how it will be structured.
What are the investment requirements?
The biggest aspect of the citizen by investment program that has yet to be established is the amount and type of investments required for travelers to participate in the scheme.
Usually with golden passport initiatives, country officials set a minimum investment threshold of hundreds of thousands of dollars and target economic sectors they’re actively trying to grow. “It depends on the country’s own individual needs, with programs worldwide tailored to benefit the lives of the host citizens—as well as the investor,” Arton says.