# Argentina Golden Passport: Cost, Rules and Launch Date

Argentina's golden passport explained: the USD 350,000 and USD 800,000 routes, family costs, no residence rule, and the Q4 2026 launch.

Facts last checked: 2026-10-14

**Short answer:** "Argentina golden passport" is the press name for the citizenship by investment programme the Argentine government announced on 2 October 2026. The main applicant contributes **USD 350,000** to the National Treasury, or buys a **USD 800,000** government bond, and becomes an Argentine citizen with no prior residence. Applications are due to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

## Quick summary

| If you want to know... | The answer | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest entry figure | USD 350,000, non-refundable, main applicant | Official |
| The alternative | USD 800,000 government bond | Official |
| A family of four | USD 500,000 in contributions (couple and two children under 18) | Official |
| Residence before citizenship | None required by law | Official |
| When it opens | Q4 2026, according to the government | Pending |
| Government fees | Not published | Pending |
| Processing time | Not published | Pending |

## Where the name comes from

Bloomberg Línea headlined the 2 October 2026 announcement as a *pasaporte de oro*, a golden passport, and the phrase stuck. Strictly, the programme grants **citizenship by naturalisation**. The passport follows from citizenship, as it does for any Argentine.

## What was announced

According to the Ministry of Economy's release of 2 October 2026, Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Cabinet Chief Diego Santilli presented the programme in Paris. Reuters described it as South America's first citizenship by investment programme. The announced terms:

| Applicant | Treasury route | Bond route |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | USD 350,000 contribution | USD 800,000 bond |
| Spouse | USD 100,000 | USD 100,000 (reported) |
| Child aged 18 to 25, single, without children | USD 100,000 | USD 100,000 (reported) |
| Child under 18 | USD 25,000 | USD 25,000 (reported) |

The bond route's family amounts are marked reported because IMI Daily understands the bond covers the main applicant only, with family contributions paid on top. That detail is not yet in official text.

## How the earlier USD 500,000 figure fits

In May 2025, when the plan was first presented, officials spoke of investments of more than USD 500,000, as La Nación reported at the time. The October 2026 prices replaced that figure. USD 500,000 is now the total for the government's own example family: a couple and two children under 18 on the Treasury route.

## What the passport offers

The Argentine passport ranks 16th on the Henley Passport Index (October 2026), with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 169 destinations, including the Schengen area, the United Kingdom and Japan. It does not give visa-free travel to the United States. See [where the Argentine passport takes you](/guide/argentina-passport-visa-free-countries/).

## What is still unknown

- Government fees and due diligence charges
- The bond's term and how its principal is returned (a seven-year, zero-rate bond has been reported)
- Processing times
- Whether an in-person visit is needed
- The forms, the documents list and how agents are accredited

The programme also rests on a decree two appeal courts have ruled against in other cases. Read [Decree 366/2025 explained](/guide/decree-366-2025-explained/) before committing.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Argentina golden passport available now?

Not yet. The government says applications open in the fourth quarter of 2026, once the implementing rules are published.

### Is it a golden visa?

No. A golden visa is usually a residence permit. This programme grants citizenship. See [golden visa or citizenship](/guide/argentina-golden-visa-vs-citizenship/).

### Can I buy property to qualify?

No real estate route has been announced. The two routes are the Treasury contribution and the government bond.

### Will I have to live in Argentina?

No. The amended citizenship law grants naturalisation for a relevant investment whatever the length of residence.

## Sources

- [Ministry of Economy announcement](https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/luis-caputo-anuncio-la-puesta-en-marcha-del-programa-de-ciudadania-por-inversion-de), 2 October 2026
- [Reuters: Argentina announces citizenship-by-investment program](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-announces-citizenship-by-investment-program-2026-10-02/), 2 October 2026
- [Bloomberg Línea: Argentina anuncia pasaporte de oro](https://www.bloomberglinea.com/latinoamerica/argentina/argentina-anuncia-pasaporte-de-oro-para-extranjeros-podran-adquirirlo-desde-los-us350000/), 2 October 2026
- [IMI Daily: pricing and launch timeframe](https://www.imidaily.com/latin-america/argentina-announces-cbi-program-pricing-and-launch-timeframe/), 2 October 2026
- [La Nación, 26 May 2025](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/otorgaran-la-ciudadania-argentina-a-quienes-inviertan-en-proyectos-de-mas-de-us500000-nid26052025/)
- [Henley Passport Index](https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking), read 14 October 2026