How many years of temporary residence do I need before I can get permanent residence in Argentina?

Checked on 2026-10-25

You can switch from temporary to permanent residence in Argentina after 2 years of temporary residence if you are a MERCOSUR national, or 3 years otherwise. The migration office also requires proof of enough money to live on, presence in Argentina for at least half the granted period, and no absence of 6 consecutive months or more.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
Years of temporary residence needed	2 years continuous or more for nationals of MERCOSUR and associated states; 3 years continuous or more for everyone else	Decreto 616/2010, Anexo I art. 22(c); DNM, Residencia Permanente
Money and criminal record	You must prove enough economic means to live in Argentina and no criminal record that could justify refusing the application	Ley 25.871, art. 22; DNM, Residencia Permanente
Time spent in Argentina	At least 50% of the granted period in the country, and no absence of 6 consecutive months or more	DNM, Residencia Permanente
Residencia precaria	Does not count as valid residence for arraigo	Ley 25.871, art. 20
Where to apply	Online through RaDEX, then an in-person appointment; you must be in Argentina	DNM, Residencia Permanente
Fee	50 UMSM (MERCOSUR and associated states) or 100 UMSM (others) for a change of category to permanent resident	DNM, Cuadro Tasas Migratorias

The rule: “arraigo” after temporary residence

Argentina calls this route arraigo (roots in the country). The regulation (Decreto 616/2010, Anexo I art. 22(c)) says a foreigner can get permanent residence after holding temporary residence for 2 continuous years or more as a national of a MERCOSUR or associated state, or 3 continuous years or more in all other cases. It adds that you must also meet any other conditions the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones (DNM) sets for the type of temporary residence you hold.

The law itself (Ley 25.871, art. 22, as replaced by Decreto 366/2025) requires every applicant for permanent residence to prove enough economic means to live in the country and no criminal record that could justify a refusal.

What the migration office checks

The DNM’s guidance for the change of category by arraigo lists:

2 years of temporary residence for MERCOSUR nationals, 3 years for non-MERCOSUR nationals;
proof of enough economic means to live in Argentina;
presence in Argentina for at least 50% of the period granted, and no stay outside the country of 6 consecutive months or more;
a valid passport, the Argentine criminal record certificate (built into RaDEX, for those over 16), a criminal record certificate from every country where you lived more than 1 year in the last 3 years (over 16), proof of address and proof of regular entry.

The DNM’s FAQ words the presence rule as “more than 50%” of the residence period granted, so plan for more than half.

Time spent on a residencia precaria (the provisional certificate you get while an application is pending) does not count: the law says it is not valid residence for arraigo (Ley 25.871, art. 20).

Children of Argentine citizens born abroad are recognised as permanent residents by the law (Ley 25.871, art. 22).
The DNM also lists permanent residence for Brazilian nationals under Ley 26.240 and for recognised refugees who meet the arraigo requirement (DNM, Residencia Permanente; FAQ question 1).

Sources

Ley 25.871 de Migraciones, arts. 20 and 22 (consolidated text incl. Decreto 366/2025, InfoLEG, Ministry of Justice) checked 2026-10-25
Decreto 616/2010, Reglamento de Migraciones, Anexo I art. 22 (InfoLEG) checked 2026-10-25
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones: Radicaciones Residencia Permanente checked 2026-10-25
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones: Preguntas Frecuentes - Residencias (question 1) checked 2026-10-25
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones: Cuadro Tasas Migratorias (Decreto 584/2024) checked 2026-10-25

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.