Nigerians with $500,000 can invest in Argentina in approved projects in agribusiness, energy, technology, and tourism sector, and subsequently obtain citizenship.
The programme will formally commence in a few weeks, with further details regarding due diligence, timelines, and naturalisation procedures,
The goal of the investment is to promote economic development and create jobs focusing on long-term contributions to Argentina’s economy, rather than relying solely on passive investments like real estate or donations.
The new program is part of Javier Milei’s, Argentina’s president’s wider economic reform efforts aimed at attracting high-net-worth individuals.
This is the first time that citizenship in Argentina will be directly linked to foreign investment.
According to government sources, the ministry of economy will establish a special agency to assess and certify eligible investments. This new body will work closely with the ministry of the interior, the foreign ministry, and the national directorate of migration to make the application process as smooth as possible.
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The programme is said to take inspiration from the United States’ SelectUSA model.
The citizenship-by-investment scheme is part of a broader immigration reform package expected to be released later this week as an emergency decree. The proposal is currently under review by the legal and technical secretariat, and the government plans to issue the changes in two separate decrees to prevent legal challenges.
Industry insiders have noted that discussions are already taking place between a well-known citizenship-by-investment firm and a consortium of major industry players.
With no similar programme in South America since Peru’s short-lived initiative in the early 1990s, this new policy could attract around 2,000 applications per year and generate an estimated $2.5 billion in revenue.
Renowned for its café culture, pedestrian-friendly streets, flourishing arts scene and grand European-style architecture, Buenos Aires consistently ranks among Latin America’s most desirable cities for expatriates. Beyond the capital, destinations such as Mendoza and Bariloche also hold considerable appeal.
Why Argentine citizenship is gaining prominence
There are additional advantages to acquiring Argentine citizenship. It grants visa-free access to 172 destinations and the right to live and work across all Mercosur nations. The Mercosur bloc encompasses Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, with associated nations such as Chile and Colombia offering further opportunities.
David Hammond, AN International Living expert expressed optimism regarding the latest developments. “I’ve often heard people say that if Argentina were to stabilise politically and economically, it could emerge as one of the world’s top destinations for living and investment”.
“With reforms now in place, financial obstacles lifted and international support secured, this could represent the most accessible and potentially lucrative time to consider Argentina in decades.”
