Official · 02.10.2026Argentina announces South America's first Citizenship by Investment Programme→
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South Africans and Argentine citizenship: the rules have eased

Since May 2025, South Africans no longer need permission to keep their citizenship when they naturalise abroad. Exchange control, not nationality law, is now the main hurdle.

Updated 8 min readSourced from official announcements

Key facts

  • Cost: US$350,000 non-refundable contribution, or a US$800,000 government bond. A couple with two children under 18 starts at US$500,000.
  • No permission is needed to keep South African citizenship since the Constitutional Court ruling of 6 May 2025.
  • The single discretionary allowance rose to R2 million a year in the 2026 Budget. Larger amounts need SARS approval.
  • The FATF removed South Africa from its grey list on 24 October 2025.
  • Travel gains: Schengen, UK, Japan and China become visa-free or ETA-only.

Until 2025, a South African who took another nationality without first asking the Minister of Home Affairs lost their citizenship automatically. The Constitutional Court has now removed that rule, which changes the calculation for a second passport.

This guide covers the points specific to South Africans. For the programme itself, read our overview of Argentina citizenship by investment and the cost guide.

Note. Two Argentine appeal courts have ruled against DNU 366/2025, the decree that allows naturalisation through investment. On 18 June 2026 Chamber III of the federal civil and commercial appeals court struck down the parts that give citizenship decisions to Migraciones. On 30 June 2026 the Cámara Nacional Electoral declared the decree unconstitutional. The government has appealed to the Supreme Court and says the decree stays in effect until the ruling is final. Read our legal status page before you commit funds.

Dual citizenship after the 2025 ruling

Section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act of 1995 required an adult to obtain permission to keep South African citizenship before voluntarily acquiring another. Without it, citizenship was lost on the day the new nationality was granted.

On 6 May 2025, in Democratic Alliance v Minister of Home Affairs ([2025] ZACC 8), the Constitutional Court struck the provision down as unconstitutional. It also ordered that citizenship be restored to people who had lost it in this way.

The practical result:

  • No permission is needed to keep South African citizenship when you become Argentine.
  • Argentina does not ask you to renounce your existing nationality. See our dual citizenship guide.

If you lost citizenship before the ruling, through an earlier naturalisation elsewhere, take advice on confirming your status with Home Affairs before you apply.

Mobility: a meaningful upgrade

The July 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index places the South African passport 50th, with 101 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations. The Argentine passport ranks 16th, with 169.

Destination South African passport Argentine passport
Schengen Area Visa required 90 days in 180
United Kingdom Visa required ETA (£20)
Japan Visa required (e-visa available) 90 days visa-free
Mainland China Visa required 30 days visa-free until 31 Dec 2026
United States Visa required Visa required (B1/B2)
Canada Visa required Visa required (eTA only in limited cases)
Argentina and Brazil 90 days visa-free Citizen / ID card entry

Europe and the UK are the main gains. For business owners who travel often to London or the EU, removing visa appointments is the practical benefit.

North America does not change. Argentina is not in the US Visa Waiver Program, so a B1/B2 visa is still required. For Canada, an eTA is possible only if you hold a Canadian visa from the last ten years or a valid US non-immigrant visa.

In South America, the Argentine identity card (DNI) is accepted as a travel document in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Mercosur residence rights come later: Article 2 of the Agreement covers naturalised nationals only after five years of Argentine nationality. More in our passport guide.

Exchange control: funding US$350,000 or more

South African residents still move money offshore within exchange-control allowances. The 2026 Budget made two relevant points:

  • Single discretionary allowance (SDA). It increased from R1 million to R2 million per calendar year, via authorised dealers. It covers all purposes, including investments and donations.
  • Above the SDA. Larger transfers use the foreign investment allowance. SARS now handles these, and emigration applications, through one process: Approval for International Transfer (AIT), which requires a tax compliance check.

At any recent exchange rate, US$350,000 is several times the R2 million SDA. Each adult has their own allowance, but a family application of US$500,000 or more will almost certainly need an AIT. Start that process early, because SARS will want your tax affairs in order first.

All funds for the programme must move through the formal financial system. A transfer under an approved AIT, through a South African bank, gives the clean audit trail that Argentina’s due diligence expects.

Tax: residence decides, and leaving has a cost

South Africa taxes on residence, not nationality. You are resident if you are “ordinarily resident” or meet the physical presence test. A new passport alone changes nothing.

If you later move to Argentina and cease South African tax residence, a deemed disposal applies. Your qualifying worldwide assets are treated as sold the day before you cease residence, which can trigger capital gains tax.

On the Argentine side, naturalisation through investment does not by itself make you an Argentine tax resident. A foreigner who moves there for reasons other than work generally becomes resident from the 13th month. Speak to a qualified tax adviser in both countries before you plan a move.

Due diligence and documents

South Africa was grey-listed by the FATF in February 2023 and removed on 24 October 2025. It was not on the list after the June 2026 plenary. Argentina’s checks still cover identity, the traceability and legality of funds, financial and asset analysis, jurisdictional risk, criminal and reputational background, and migration history, to OECD and FATF standards.

Prepare a clear source-of-wealth narrative: company financial statements, share sale agreements, property transfers and SARS assessments.

Apostilles. South Africa has applied the Hague Apostille Convention since 30 April 1995, and Argentina since 1988. Your South African documents can be apostilled rather than legalised through a consulate.

Police clearance. Plan for a South African police clearance certificate, and one from any other country where you have lived for a long period.

Translation. Budget for certified Spanish translations. Afrikaans documents also need translating. The Agency had not published its document rules as of 2 October 2026.

Is it right for you?

It may suit you if:

  • You want visa-free access to Europe, the UK and Japan for business or family.
  • You want a second nationality without giving up your South African one.
  • Your tax compliance status is clean and you can obtain an AIT.

It is probably not right for you if:

  • You mainly need easier access to the US or Canada.
  • Your funds cannot be moved within exchange control rules.
  • You need certainty now. Argentina’s Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the decree.

For a confidential review of your situation, request a private briefing.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need permission from Home Affairs to keep South African citizenship?

No. On 6 May 2025 the Constitutional Court struck down section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act, which caused automatic loss of citizenship without prior permission. It also ordered that people who lost citizenship that way be restored.

Can I pay the US$350,000 under my discretionary allowance?

Not on your own. The 2026 Budget raised the single discretionary allowance to R2 million per calendar year, which is well below US$350,000. Larger transfers need SARS approval through the Approval for International Transfer process.

Is South Africa still on the FATF grey list?

No. The FATF removed South Africa from its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring on 24 October 2025. Argentina's checks still assess source of funds and jurisdictional risk in detail.

Where does the Argentine passport help a South African?

Mainly in Europe, the UK, Japan and China. Argentines get 90 days in 180 in the Schengen Area and 90 days in Japan, and need only an ETA for the UK.

Will I stop being a South African tax resident?

Not because of a new passport. South African tax residence depends on being ordinarily resident or on physical presence. Ceasing residence later triggers a deemed disposal of worldwide assets.

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