Work Permits & Visas in Argentina

Argentina is a cornerstone of Latin American business, boasting a population of about 46 million and a GDP around US$683 billion, making it the third-largest economy in the region. Its capital, Buenos Aires, serves as a major hub for finance, technology, and industry. Employers are attracted by Argentina’s educated workforce and strategic location between Brazil, Chile, and other markets.

However, Argentina’s labor laws and immigration rules are detailed and strictly enforced. Any company sending international employees to work in Argentina must secure the appropriate work permits and visas to stay compliant. Failing to follow the proper procedures can lead to serious consequences, so understanding the requirements upfront is critical.

Buenos Aires, Argentina’s vibrant capital city, is home to government and business centers. As Latin America’s third-largest economy, Argentina provides companies with access to a large market and skilled talent. However, employers must navigate Argentine immigration rules carefully. Any foreign employee working in Argentina needs a legal residence visa and work authorization. In practice, this means getting a formal work visa, often a temporary residence permit tied to employment, approved by Argentina’s National Migration authorities.

Who Needs an Argentine Visa or Work Permit?

By default, Argentine citizens and permanent residents can work freely without any special visa. Any foreign national who wants to work in Argentina must obtain a work visa, unless they qualify under a regional treaty. In particular, citizens of MERCOSUR countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and associate members (Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, and Suriname) benefit from simplified rules.

Under the Mercosur agreements, nationals from these countries can apply for a Mercosur temporary residency that grants work authorization with fewer formalities. For example, a Brazilian or Paraguayan citizen typically only needs a residency permit under the Mercosur clause (Article 23(l)) and a local employment contract to begin work. In contrast, third-country nationals (e.g., U.S., EU, Asia, Africa) must go through Argentina’s standard work visa process, which requires sponsorship by an Argentine company.

In practice, any non-MERCOSUR foreigner needs a valid work visa and an approved employment permit before legally working in Argentina. Citizens of Mercosur countries cannot simply work on a tourist visa; they still apply for a Mercosur or Mercosur-associate visa, often called a "MERCOSUR temporary residency visa," which they can often get quickly if they have a job offer. All other foreigners, such as Americans or Canadians, must secure a formal work visa. This always involves a contract with an Argentine employer and approval by the Argentine consulate or migration services. Any foreign national intending to work legally in Argentina needs a valid work visa. In short, foreign hires, except MERCOSUR nationals, require a visa sponsored by their Argentine employer; compliance with this rule is vital to avoid legal issues.

Overview of Argentine Work Visa Types Relevant to Employers

The main visas for employer-sponsored work in Argentina fall into a few categories:

Temporary Residence Visa – Article 23A (Worker) in Argentina

This is the standard work visa for foreigners employed by an Argentine company. It is granted for up to one year (renewable) and requires a formal labor contract between the employee and the sponsor. Article 23A applies to the majority of people moving to Argentina for a salaried activity that lasts 1 year.

In practice, an employer will present a notarized Spanish-language employment contract showing salary and terms, and the visa is issued on that basis. There is also a related “23B” rentista visa, covering foreign retirees or self-employed individuals living off independent income, but this is not typically used for employer-sponsored jobs.

MERCOSUR Temporary Residency (Article 23(l)) in Argentina

Nationals of Mercosur member and associate countries can apply under the Mercosur immigration rules. This grants them the right to temporary residence and work in Argentina with simpler paperwork. The Mercosur visa still requires an employment contract and sponsor, but many bureaucratic requirements are reduced.

In effect, a Brazilian, Chilean, or Bolivian employee can obtain a “MERCOSUR Visa” for work, which is usually processed faster than the regular 23A visa.

Intra-Company Transfer Visa – Article 23E in Argentina

For multinational companies relocating their own employees to Argentina, the Intra-Company Transfer visa is available. This is used when an employee who works for a company abroad is sent to a local affiliate or branch. The 23E visa is also typically one year (renewable) and is intended for managers, specialists, or technical staff transferred internally.

Because the person already has a job contract with the foreign company, this process can be somewhat more streamlined. In fact, if the Argentine subsidiary is already operating and registered (RENURE), transfers under 23E can often involve fewer bureaucratic hurdles than a brand-new hire visa.

Digital Nomad (Transitory Residence) Visa in Argentina

Introduced in 2022, this Argentine visa allows remote workers to live in Argentina while employed by a foreign company. It is technically a transitory residence permit valid for up to one year, with an initial 180 days renewable for another 180. Importantly, holders of the digital nomad visa are not allowed to work for any Argentine company; they must remain employed by or contracted to an overseas entity.

Thus, this visa applies only if the employer’s staff will keep working remotely for the home office while in Argentina. It is not used for hiring someone onto the Argentine payroll.

Permanent Residence in Argentina

Foreign workers may apply for permanent residency in Argentina after two years of uninterrupted temporary residency under a work or Mercosur visa. In practice, this means if an employee has worked legally on a 23A, 23E, or Mercosur visa for two years, they can request permanent residence. Permanent residents have the right to live and work indefinitely in Argentina. Other paths to permanent residency, such as marriage to an Argentine citizen or having Argentine children, exist, but they are separate from employment-based visas.

Employer Sponsorship Process and Responsibilities in Argentina

To bring a foreign employee to Argentina, the employer plays a key role as sponsor. First, the company must be an Argentine legal entity or have a local branch to act as sponsor. The sponsoring employer typically needs to be registered with Argentina’s immigration registry (RENURE – Registro Nacional Único de Requirentes de Extranjeros) before petitioning for visas.

Once registered, the company is assigned a RENURE number; this number must be included on all visa paperwork, including the employment contract. In effect, RENURE registration establishes the employer as an approved "petitioning company" for foreign workers.

The first concrete step is to apply for an Entry Permit (Permiso de Ingreso, or PIM) from the Argentine National Migration Office (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones). The employer submits the foreign hire’s name and position to Migraciones to request a PIM. This PIM certifies that Argentina approves the entry of the specific foreign worker for employment. The application must be made by the company, not the individual, and includes the company’s registration details. Once granted, the PIM, often called Acta de Notificación, is sent to the Argentine consulate where the employee will apply for the actual visa.

With the PIM in hand, the employer prepares the employment contract and supporting documents. Argentine law requires the contract to be in Spanish. The contract should detail the role, salary, duration, and terms of employment. It then needs to be notarized (legalized) by an Argentine Escribano Público and the Colegio de Escribanos. In practice, the company often hires a translator and notary to produce an official Spanish version.

The employer must also provide corporate documents, such as the company’s certificate of incorporation, tax registration, and proof of solvency or social security registration. A cover letter on company letterhead is also standard; it should briefly describe the business, explain the purpose of hiring the foreign employee, the duration of the work, and who will bear the employee’s expenses. In summary, the employer’s paperwork packet typically includes the contract (with the RENURE number and notary stamps), the PIM, corporate documents, and the cover letter.

Key Employer Responsibilities in Argentina

To summarize, employers should ensure they:

Register with RENURE (if hiring non-Mercosur foreign workers), and note the RENURE number on all documents. Apply for the Permiso de Ingreso (PIM) from Migraciones on behalf of the employee. Draft a formal Spanish employment contract, have it notarized/certified, and include the RENURE registration number. Gather supporting documents (e.g., incorporation papers, tax registration, cover letter). Provide the employee with these documents so they can apply for the visa at the consulate and attend the interview. After the visa is approved and the employee arrives in Argentina, the employer has ongoing duties as well. The new hire must be registered for payroll and taxes: the employer needs to set up the employee in the national tax (AFIP) and social security (ANSES) systems. In practice, this means obtaining an Argentine ID card (DNI) for the worker and a CUIL number (social security/tax number) immediately after arrival. The employer then withholds income tax from payroll and pays the required employer contributions for pensions, healthcare, family benefits, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring or Relocating a Foreign Employee to Argentina

Registering the Employer (RENURE) in Argentina

If the foreign hire is not a Mercosur national, begin by registering your company with the RENURE registry. This step confirms the sponsor’s eligibility for Argentine immigration processes.

Finalizing the Employment Contract and Obtaining the Entry Permit in Argentina

Draft a written employment contract in Spanish and have it notarized. Include the position, salary, duration, and obligations. Submit a request to Dirección Nacional de Migraciones for the employee’s Permiso de Ingreso (PIM). The Migration Office issues the PIM based on the contract and employer’s credentials. Obtain the PIM document (Acta de Notificación).

Preparing the Visa Application Package for Argentina

The employee will apply for the visa at the Argentine consulate in their home country or country of residence. Assemble all required documents for the consular application: valid passport, passport-sized photos, the PIM, the legalized Spanish contract, the employer’s RENURE certificate, and any other requested documents, such as the employee’s birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), apostilled police clearance, and proof of education. Ensure each document is translated into Spanish by a certified translator and apostilled if required.

Consular Interview and Visa Issuance in Argentina

The employee schedules and attends a visa interview at the Argentine consulate. They submit the paperwork, often on a prescribed FSV form, and pay the visa fees. Consular officers may ask questions about the job. If approved, the consulate issues the visa stamped in the passport. The visa is typically valid for entry and immediate residency.