Argentina Pensionado visa requirements
Argentina's pensionado residence is for people with a pension of at least 5 minimum wages, ARS 1,956,000 a month from October 2026, renewed yearly.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Argentina's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- ARS 1,956,000/mo (about $1,270) A regular, permanent pension from a government, an international body or a private company for work done abroad, of at least 5 times the minimum wage (salario mínimo vital y móvil), which is ARS 391,200 from 1 October 2026. Dirección Nacional de Migraciones; Consejo del Salario; Migration Law 25.871. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- One-year permit, renewable Dirección Nacional de Migraciones; Consejo del Salario; Migration Law 25.871. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- ARS 100,000 (about $60) Temporary residence application. Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Pensionado visa
Foreigners who receive a regular, permanent pension from a government, an international body or a private company, for work done abroad, apply to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones for temporary residence. The pension must be at least 5 times Argentina's minimum wage. Migraciones grants one year at a time, renewable, and after 3 years you can apply for permanent residence.
You need ARS 1,956,000 (about $1,270) a month: a regular, permanent pension from a government, an international body or a private company for work done abroad, of at least 5 times the minimum wage (salario mínimo vital y móvil), which is ARS 391,200 from 1 October 2026.
The threshold follows the minimum wage, which rises every month: 5 minimum wages are ARS 1,956,000 from 1 October 2026, ARS 1,994,000 from 1 November and ARS 2,032,000 from 1 December.
The law allows temporary residence of up to 3 years with multiple entries; Migraciones currently grants 1 year, renewable.
Permanent residence by arraigo needs 3 years of temporary residence (2 for Mercosur nationals), means of support, presence in Argentina for at least half of the time granted, and no absence of 6 months or more in a row.
Residence can be cancelled if a temporary resident stays out of Argentina for 6 months or more (1 year for permanent residents), unless Migraciones authorised the absence.
Since Decree 366/2025, foreigners entering Argentina under any immigration category sign a sworn statement that they have health insurance.
Mercosur nationals pay half the residence fee (50 UMSM). Applications filed at an Argentine consulate abroad are charged 600 consular units instead.
Pensionado visa documents
Every residence permit
- Valid passport (Mercosur nationals may use one of the Mercosur travel documents)
- Argentine criminal record certificate from the Registro Nacional de Reincidencia, for anyone over 16; it is requested inside the online application
- Criminal record certificate from every country where you lived more than 1 year in the last 3 years, for anyone over 16
- Proof of your address in Argentina
- Proof that you entered Argentina legally (ingreso regular)
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- Certificate from the government, international body or company that pays your pension, showing a regular and permanent pension of at least 5 minimum wages a month
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Foreign documents must be apostilled, or legalized by the Argentine consulate in the issuing country, and translated into Spanish by an Argentine public translator, with the translation legalized by the Colegio de Traductores. Bring originals; Migraciones can ask for more documents. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
Pensionado visa fees
| Temporary residence application, 100 UMSM for nationals of countries outside Mercosur (1 UMSM = $1,000) | ARS 100,000 (about $60) |
| Priority appointment, 50 UMSM | ARS 50,000 (about $30) |
| Renewal of temporary residence or change to permanent residence, 100 UMSM | ARS 100,000 (about $60) |
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather documents at homeGet your pension certificate and criminal record certificates from every country where you lived more than a year in the last 3 years, apostilled or legalized, then translated by an Argentine public translator.
- Enter ArgentinaYou must be inside Argentina to apply online. Keep proof of your legal entry and get proof of your address.
- Apply online and payRegister in RaDEX, Migraciones' online system, fill in the form, pay the fees it generates and upload your documents. No agent (gestor) is needed.
- Attend the appointmentIf the file meets the requirements, Migraciones emails you a date for an in-person appointment. Bring the originals.
- Renew, then go permanentThe permit lasts 1 year and can be renewed. After 3 years of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence if you show means of support and have not been away 6 months in a row.
Spouses and children
Your spouse, parents, and unmarried children under 18 (or older with a disability) can get temporary residence through family reunification for the same period as yours. They show a legalized marriage or birth certificate and your identity document, plus the general documents.
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Argentina
Temporary residence as a rentier (residencia temporaria como rentista)
For people who live on income from assets brought from abroad, such as financial investments, property or company shares, not work. The income must be at least 5 minimum wages a month (ARS 1,956,000 from October 2026) and reach Argentina through banks authorised by the central bank. One year, renewable.
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones; Consejo del Salario; Migration Law 25.871. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Transitory residence as a digital nomad (residencia transitoria como nómada digital)
For nationals of countries that need no tourist visa for Argentina who work remotely for people or companies abroad. You show a CV, proof of the work (contract, client letter or income receipts) and a reference. Up to 180 days, renewable once for the same period; applied for in person, not online.
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Temporary residence for Mercosur nationals
Citizens of Mercosur member and associated states get 2 years of temporary residence, renewable, on their nationality alone, with no income test. The fee is 50 UMSM, half the general rate.
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Pensionado visa questions
How do I retire to Argentina from the United States?
Most retirees apply for temporary residence as a pensioner (pensionado), with a pension certificate showing at least 5 minimum wages a month, ARS 1,956,000 from October 2026, and criminal record checks, such as the FBI check, apostilled and translated. You apply online from inside Argentina; the fee is ARS 100,000.
Can I retire in Argentina on Social Security at age 70?
Migraciones sets no age limit. Social Security is a pension paid by a government, so it can be used to qualify if the monthly amount is at least 5 minimum wages, ARS 1,956,000 from October 2026.
What is the Argentina rentista visa?
Temporary residence for people living on income from assets abroad, such as investments or property, of at least 5 minimum wages a month, brought in through banks authorised by the central bank. It is granted for 1 year and renewed.
Can retirees get permanent residence in Argentina?
Yes, after 3 years of temporary residence, if you show means of support, spent at least half of that time in Argentina and were never away 6 months in a row. The change costs 100 UMSM, ARS 100,000.
