Ways to live in Argentina
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Transitory residence for digital nomads (Residencia transitoria – Nómada digital)
For nationals of countries that don't need a tourist visa who work remotely for people or companies abroad.
- What you need
- No fixed minimum income, but you must prove remote work (contract, employer letter or invoices) and give at least one professional reference. You also need a passport, an Argentine criminal record certificate, proof of address and apostilled, translated foreign documents.
- How long
- 180 days, extendable once for another 180 days
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 32,000 pesos (about $21); extension 20,000 pesos
- How to apply
- In person in Argentina, not online. In Buenos Aires City email asesoramiento@migraciones.gov.ar; elsewhere go to the local immigration office.
- Path to permanent residence
- No. It is a transitory residence and does not count towards permanent residence.
Work permit Work permits →
Temporary residence – Migrant worker (Trabajador migrante)
For foreigners hired as employees by an Argentine employer.
- What you need
- A signed pre-employment contract with duties, hours, duration and pay under the relevant collective agreement; the employer must be registered with the tax agency and the migration register of employers. Plus passport, criminal record certificates, proof of address and legal entry.
- How long
- 1 year, extendable
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online via RaDEX from inside Argentina, then an in-person appointment.
Student visa Student visas →
Temporary residence – Student (Estudiante)
For foreigners enrolled at an officially recognised secondary school, college or university in Argentina, public or private. Gives a temporary national ID card (DNI).
- What you need
- Electronic enrolment certificate from an institution registered with the National Migration Directorate, valid passport, criminal record certificates (Argentine and from countries lived in for over a year in the last 3 years), proof of address and legal entry. Foreign documents need an apostille and sworn Spanish translation.
- How long
- 1 year, extendable
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online via RaDEX from inside Argentina, then an in-person appointment at the migration office.
Retirement visa Retirement visas →
Temporary residence – Pensioner (Pensionado)
For people receiving a regular, permanent pension or retirement income.
- What you need
- A regular, permanent pension of at least 5 minimum wages (1,956,000 pesos a month from 1 Oct 2026), plus the standard documents.
- Income
- from about $1,270 a month
- How long
- 1 year, extendable
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 100,000 pesos (about $65)
- How to apply
- Online on the immigration office's portal, then an in-person appointment in Argentina
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Temporary residence can lead to permanent residence after several years of continuous temporary residence.
Passive income visa Passive income visas →
Temporary residence – Rentista
For people living on income from assets abroad, such as investments, property or company shares (not from personal work).
- What you need
- Passive income from abroad of at least 5 minimum wages (1,956,000 pesos a month from 1 Oct 2026), transferred through an authorised Argentine bank. You also need a criminal record certificate, proof of address and apostilled documents.
- Income
- from about $1,270 a month
- How long
- 1 year, extendable
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 100,000 pesos (about $65) when applying in Argentina
- How to apply
- Online on the immigration office's portal, then an in-person appointment. You must be in Argentina.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Temporary residence can lead to permanent residence after several years of continuous temporary residence.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| One-bedroom flat | $360 |
|---|---|
| Two-bedroom flat | $800 |
| Bills | $70 |
| Typical local salary | $1,230 |
| Budget for one person | $1,380 |
Cities to consider
- Buenos AiresTango, steak and late nights≈ $882 a month for one person, before rent
- CordobaStudent city by the sierras
- RosarioRiverside cool on the Paraná
- SaltaColonial gateway to the Andes≈ $882 a month for one person, before rent
- MendozaMalbec country under the Andes
- San Carlos de BarilochePatagonian lakes and chocolate
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Buenos Aires offers European-style boulevards, late dinners, bookshops and a deep café culture. Beyond it lie Mendoza's vineyards, Andean peaks and Patagonian glaciers. Expats cluster in Palermo, Recoleta and Mendoza.
Day to day
Long-distance buses are comfortable and domestic flights cover big distances. Public hospitals are free but busy, so many use private health plans. Money is complicated, with several exchange channels, and Spanish is essential outside tourist areas.
Trade-offs
Chronic economic instability means prices and rules shift quickly. Petty theft is common in big cities, and the country is far from almost everywhere, so trips home are long and costly.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South Africa90 days
Mexico90 days
BrazilVisa-free
Questions
Does Argentina have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Argentina offers: Transitory residence for digital nomads (Residencia transitoria – Nómada digital).
How much money do I need to live in Argentina?
A single person can live on from about $1,380 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $360 a month.
How can I move to Argentina?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Retirement visa, Passive income visa.
Can I retire in Argentina?
Yes, through: Temporary residence – Pensioner (Pensionado).
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Argentina were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Argentina were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- Migraciones — Residencia transitoria como Nómada Digital
- Migraciones — Residencia temporaria como rentista
- Migraciones — Residencia temporaria como pensionado
- Cuadro de tasas migratorias
- Consejo del Salario — SMVM 2026
- https://www.argentina.gob.ar/node/132055
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
