Picture Argentina: you might imagine rowdy football matches, craggy glaciers, and romantic tango dancing. But, the second largest country in South America is also poised to become a digital nomad hub, where droves of remote workers are planting roots.
Argentina introduced a digital nomad visa in 2022, opening the door for international visitors to live and work remotely from the country. The visa, plainly known as the "Argentina Digital Nomad Visa," has been ranked as the second-best in the world in the VisaGuide Digital Nomad Index based on taxes, income requirements, and cost of living.
Argentina's Nomad Visa unlocks the door to buzzy cosmopolitan cities, awe-inspiring national parks, and a high quality of living. Below, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about working remotely in the Latin American country, from application requirements to what to expect day-to-day as a digital nomad in Argentina.
An overview of the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa
The Argentina Digital Nomad Visa lets recipients live and work remotely in Argentina for 180 days, with the option to renew for an additional 80 days. The program provides Visa holders with a welcome package that includes a 40% discount on airport transfers from the Buenos Aires airport, a discounted first-night hotel stay, a SIM card, and a SUBE card for public transportation.
To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a country that does not need a tourist visa to enter Argentina, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and countries in the European Union. Unlike other LatAm digital nomad visas — like those from Brazil, Colombia, and Chile — the Argentine visa does not require a minimum income.
Argentina Digital Nomad Visa eligibility requirements
Below, we've detailed the requirements for qualifying for the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa:
- Qualifying citizenship. You must hold a passport from a country that can enter Argentina without a tourist visa.
- Passport. You need a passport valid for at least six months after the end of the visa period.
- Remote work. You must be a remote worker, such as an employee, freelancer, or business owner, who earns income from a company or companies outside Argentina (like Howdy).
Application process for the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa
Next, we'll walk you through the application process for the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa:
- Gather the required documents.
The required documents to apply for the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa include:
- A copy of your passport in JPG format
- A copy of your birth certificate
- A photo of your face, with a white background and in a JPG format
- A CV explaining your experience and qualifications in your, written or translated into Spanish, and authenticated with an apostille
- Proof of remote income — employment contract, company endorsement letter, pay stubs — written or translated into Spanish, and authenticated with an apostille
Documents should be written or translated into Spanish and authenticated with an apostille, which certifies public documents for use in foreign countries. You can get an apostille from a qualified provider, such as UPS.
- Start your application and pay the first fee.
To apply online, you'll need to create an account using the National Migration Directorate portal. The portal is in Spanish, so you may want to use your browser's translation function if you aren't fluent. Fill out an application form and pay the 120 USD fee via credit card online using Provincia Net.
- Pay the second fee.
After completing the first part of the application, you will receive a payment number to make your second payment of 80 USD as a bank deposit at a financial institution chosen by your nearest Argentinian consulate.
- Complete your application.
Return to the application portal to confirm your bank deposit and upload your documents.
- Wait for approval.
The typical processing time for an Argentina Digital Nomad Visa is around 10 to 45 days. You'll be notified of approval by email. Print a copy of the email for your records. When you arrive in Argentina, your visa will be provided at Customs.
- Get a DNI
If you plan on staying in Argentina for over 90 days, you must register for a Documento Nacional de Identidad. You can get one at your local Citizen Registry and make an appointment via the Mi Argentina site. The typical processing time for a DNI is also around 10 to 45 days, and you'll be notified via email. You can track the progress of your DNI online.
Why Argentina?
Once you've dealt with all the red tape and secured a Digital Nomad Visa, you'll see that Argentina is worth it. The one-of-a-kind destination seduces with sophisticated cities, cowboy culture, and Andes mountain adventures. Below, we explain why digital nomads are making Argentina their next home away from home:
Infrastructure: Major cities like Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Córdoba have reliable Internet and a growing number of co-working spaces. These cities are also home to laptop-friendly cafes serving up fast WiFi, outlets, espresso, and melt-in-your-mouth alfajores, a typical Argentine cookie with a dulce-de-leche center.
Many expat and nomad communities. An estimated 60,000 expats live in Argentina, about half of whom live in Buenos Aires. With thousands of digital nomads arriving each month, the megapolis hosts year-round digital nomad talks, volunteering meetups, parties, trivia nights, and more.
Time zone alignment. The Argentine time zone is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the US, and two hours ahead during daylight savings time. Little to no difference in working hours helps facilitate collaboration between US and European clients.
Safety. One of LatAm's safest countries, Argentina has progressive laws and attitudes toward travelers who are women or LGBTQ. The country is also home to friendly locals eager to help or share bittersweet mate tea, a cherished tradition in Argentina that symbolizes respect and community. Pickpocketing, while rare, is likely the only safety issue you'll encounter in major cities. Should you ever require medical assistance, you'll have access to Argentina's top-notch, free-for-everyone public healthcare system.
Nightlife. Argentinians are notorious night owls, eating dinner around 10 or 11 p.m. and heading to the clubs at 2 or 3 a.m. In cities like Buenos Aires and Cordoba, you can spend endless nights hopping from speakeasies to live music venues to bumping nightclubs — just make sure to cancel your morning meetings.
Legendary nature. With its lofty Andes mountains, roaring rainforest waterfalls, and mesmerizing Patagonian ice fields, Argentina has limitless opportunities for exploration when you need a break from your screen. Not-to-be-missed highlights include bustling Buenos Aires, lively Mendoza, majestic Iguazú Falls, and the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia.
Asado and wine. Asado — meats cooked on a grill over open flames — and wine are at the heart of Argentine cuisine. If you're a meat lover, you're in luck: This is your chance to chow down on ojo de bife (ribeye), lomo (fillet), and morcilla (black pudding). Wash down your meal with a glass or two of Argentina's signature deep-hued, plum-favored Malbec wine.