The national government is advancing in the implementation of a 'citizenship by investment' program with the aim of attracting foreign capital and generating a potential flow of up to US$2.5 billion. This initiative, which replicates schemes in force in countries like the United States and Canada, proposes granting Argentine citizenship to foreigners who prove relevant investments in the country, although key definitions for its effective implementation are still pending. The plan was formalized in July of last year through decree 524/2025, which established the general framework of the program. In similar experiences in other countries, consulting firms carry out exhaustive verifications to discard links with illicit activities, criminal records, or reputational risks, information that is later used by States to make the final decision. Internationally, citizenship or residence by investment programs operate in more than 80 countries and constitute a consolidated industry. After that instance, the proposals will be evaluated and it is expected that the award will be made within a period of approximately 45 days, which would allow the program to begin to be implemented during the first half of the year. Among the bidders is a consortium made up of international firms specialized in residence and citizenship by investment programs, which estimated that the Argentine initiative could channel more than US$2.5 billion in capital. These criteria must be defined through complementary resolutions from the Ministry of Economy, which has not yet specified dates for their publication. To manage the program, the decree created the Agency for Citizenship by Investment Programs, a body that will operate within the scope of the Ministry of Economy and will be in charge of evaluating the investments presented. According to the regulations, foreigners who make significant investments in Argentina may apply for citizenship, although the decree does not set minimum amounts or specific sectors. The current tender and the pending resolutions will be decisive to know the real scope of the plan and its potential impact on the economy. Sources consulted: Ministry of Economy; Official Bulletin; TN; international specialists in citizenship by investment programs. Once its opinion is issued, the National Directorate of Migration will be in charge of approving or rejecting the citizenship applications. As a prior step to its operational implementation, the Executive Branch decided to hire a specialized consulting and technical assistance service. According to these projections, the country's attractiveness is based on both investment opportunities and the value of the Argentine passport, which is among the most accepted globally. According to sector specialists, investments could be enabled in different formats and destinations, depending on the parameters defined by the Government. At the beginning of December, an international tender was launched to select a company to advise the new agency for a period of up to four years, or until the issuance of 5,000 reports recommending the approval of citizenship by investment applications. The bidding process will enter a decisive stage this Tuesday, January 20, when the envelopes with the presented offers will be opened. Among the alternatives, productive projects, real estate developments, private investment funds aimed at local companies or donation schemes to foundations or specific funds are mentioned. Buenos Aires, January 19, 2026 - Total News Agency - TNA
