Key Points
- Argentina enacted Decree 366/2025, overhauling its immigration framework
- The decree tightens residency and citizenship criteria and expands deportation authority
- Corporate sponsors now face stricter immigration compliance obligations
Overview
Argentina has introduced a sweeping reform of its immigration system through Decree 366/2025, signaling a shift toward more restrictive policies across multiple categories of entry, residency, and naturalization. Announced in May 2025, the decree introduces significant changes that impact foreign nationals, employers, and international mobility professionals operating in Argentina.
Authorities now have broader powers to deny entry or deport individuals based on incomplete or misleading travel information, criminal records, or unlawful status. New barriers to citizenship and permanent residency applications include heightened documentation requirements and stricter evaluation of financial and legal standing. Naturalization processes are also expected to become more rigorous, potentially limiting the path to long-term status for many applicants.
Non-residents, including expatriate workers, may now face restricted access to public healthcare and education services, making private insurance coverage a necessity. The decree also reinforces that individuals entering Argentina for tourism or business purposes must not engage in paid work unless explicitly authorized, thereby narrowing the scope for employment-based entry under visitor classifications.
Family reunification procedures have been revised as well. Rather than granting direct equivalent status to relatives of Argentine citizens or residents, the government will now issue temporary residence for up to three years, with ongoing eligibility checks.
Corporations sponsoring foreign talent will be required to prove financial solvency and compliance with local labor laws. Investment-based residency routes will undergo closer scrutiny, adding another layer of complexity to corporate relocation planning. Additionally, all visitors must submit a signed affidavit outlining their travel purpose and present proof of health insurance upon entry.
Looking Ahead
With implementation details still pending, companies and individuals should prepare for increased administrative burdens and higher scrutiny in all immigration-related filings. Employers should evaluate their internal immigration policies and ensure that sponsored employees meet Argentina’s updated requirements. Individuals considering naturalization or residency should anticipate longer processing times and stricter evaluations. As regulatory guidance is issued, staying informed will be essential to maintaining compliance under Argentina’s new immigration regime.
