Argentine citizenship for foreigners?

[StevenNows]

Over the past two days, there have been multiple discussions about the prospect of pursuing Argentine citizenship as an alternative to obtaining temporary or permanent residency. I've been an active member of this forum for four years, and during this time, I don't recall anyone sharing their actual experience of applying for or receiving Argentine citizenship.

I do recall a legal professional mentioning that citizenship typically requires two years of permanent residency, but details beyond that were not specified. Recently, a post referred to a constitutional provision suggesting that anyone residing in Argentina for two years could apply for citizenship, irrespective of their status with Argentine migraciones.

While the constitution has been cited, I'm keen to hear from individuals who have applied for Argentine citizenship. What were the requirements? What was the procedure like? And most importantly, what was the outcome? I specifically want to hear from those who applied as foreigners residing in Argentina, excluding those who applied through marriage or parenthood connections. Your personal experiences with the application process would undoubtedly be valuable information for many others seeking insights into this journey.

 

[AshCersc]

Certainly. To initiate the citizenship process, make your way to Palacio de Tribunales located on Talcahuano between Lavalle and Tucuman. Enter through the Lavalle street entrance, head right until the end, then make a left for a few doors. Once inside, locate "Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Civil y Comercial." Express your intention to pursue citizenship. It's advisable to arrive no later than 11 am.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_de_Justicia_de_la_Naci%C3%B3n_%28Argentina%29

Prepare the following documents: CUIT or payslip, birth certificate, DNI, police address certificate, and local and foreign certificates confirming your clean criminal record. These documents are requested due to the application of a restrictive doctrine regarding citizenship, but it appears you have everything they require.

Upon confirming your documents, they will provide you with two forms to complete and sign. Following this, they will assign you a judge. The next destination is just across the square to the left, in the building after the Colon Theater.

Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me. My office is conveniently located two blocks away. You can reach me at 4371-3727 or 15-3296-6249.

Best regards.

 

[earlyretirement]

Certainly. To initiate the citizenship process, make your way to Palacio de Tribunales located on Talcahuano between Lavalle and Tucuman. Enter through the Lavalle street entrance, head right until the end, then make a left for a few doors. Once inside, locate "Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Civil y Comercial." Express your intention to pursue citizenship. It's advisable to arrive no later than 11 am.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_de_Justicia_de_la_Naci%C3%B3n_%28Argentina%29

Prepare the following documents: CUIT or payslip, birth certificate, DNI, police address certificate, and local and foreign certificates confirming your clean criminal record. These documents are requested due to the application of a restrictive doctrine regarding citizenship, but it appears you have everything they require.

Upon confirming your documents, they will provide you with two forms to complete and sign. Following this, they will assign you a judge. The next destination is just across the square to the left, in the building after the Colon Theater.

Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me. My office is conveniently located two blocks away. You can reach me at 4371-3727 or 15-3296-6249.

Best regards.

Thanks for the good advice here. I've had permanent residency for a few years now since I've lived here legally for almost 7 years. I know a few years ago I asked my lawyer about getting citizenship here and he told me it wasn't as easy as you are making it sound. He also said there was a test you had to take. Is that still the case?

Maybe he was saying all of this so he could charge a fee but is the test still required and if so how difficult is it?

I'm American so I have a US passport. My kids were born in Argentina so they have dual citizenship and have USA passports as well as Argentina passports and DNI. I never bothered with going for the citizenship as I didn't see any big benefit besides getting an Argentine passport which I figured would be valuable as an American. (Too many countries still hate us Americans).

I know it's easy for children born to Argentines to get citizenship but do you know if there is any special consideration if your kids are citizens and born here and parents aren't from Argentina? Both my wife and I have DNI's, CUIT/CUIL and pay tons of taxes here in white so that won't be a problem showing income here....

Thanks in advance.

 

[AshCersc]

There appears to be widespread confusion surrounding citizenship, even among judges. Your lawyer, like many others, is relying on an obsolete law, Law 346 and its decree, which was originally crafted to encourage population growth in a sparsely populated country.

With all due respect, the information he provided is outdated and inaccurate. There is no longer a test in place, and the reference to Law 346 is irrelevant since it was abolished in 1984. The procedure can be pursued without a lawyer, but only if you meet the specific requirements outlined by the judges. Otherwise, the expertise of a specialized lawyer is essential.

I typically charge fees only for challenging cases, such as those involving permanent tourists, illegal entry, criminal records, or illegal stays. For cases that are relatively straightforward, I recommend proceeding without legal representation.

The primary advantage of having a lawyer in your situation lies in ensuring adherence to the 90-day deadline. Additionally, there are some benefits. For instance, if you face any issues related to criminal law, a citizen may sign a plea bargain or benefit from a "suspensión de juicio a prueba," providing a second chance to individuals without a criminal record. Conversely, under permanent residency, violations can lead to imprisonment and deportation after serving 50% of the sentence. Various scenarios, such as a car crash resulting in casualties or improper use of self-defense, can result in severe consequences, including imprisonment.

It's worth noting that having native-born children renders you eligible for citizenship, and this right cannot be denied, even if you have a criminal record, according to the Supreme Court.

Best regards.

 

[earlyretirement]

Thanks for your good advice. Just out of curiosity what do you charge for your services to assist with the process for citizenship? I know I can probably go alone as I'm fluent in Spanish but in my experiences living here....if you have an expert that has experience and knows what they are doing the process is drastically sped up. For me time is money so I'm curious to know your fees.

Thanks for your information...