Official · 02.10.2026Argentina announces South America's first Citizenship by Investment Programme→
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Argentina citizenship for UAE residents: expats and Emiratis

The UAE gives its expatriate residents long visas but almost never a passport. For many of them, Argentina's new programme is a direct answer. For Emirati nationals, the question is very different.

Updated 8 min readSourced from official announcements

Key facts

  • Most UAE expatriates have no route to Emirati citizenship; the Golden Visa is residence, not nationality.
  • Whether you can keep your current passport depends on your home country, not on the UAE.
  • Emirati nationals already hold one of the strongest passports (188 destinations) and face nationality-law limits.
  • The UAE is off the FATF grey list (since February 2024) but is not an Apostille Convention party.
  • Cost: US$350,000 non-refundable, or a US$800,000 bond. Applications open in Q4 2026.

The UAE is home to one of the world’s largest communities of internationally mobile families. Many have lived in Dubai or Abu Dhabi for a decade or more, built companies there and hold ten-year Golden Visas. Very few will ever hold an Emirati passport.

That gap is why the UAE is a natural market for Argentina citizenship by investment. This guide separates the two audiences, because the analysis is completely different.

Expatriate residents: the passport you already hold decides

UAE residence does not by itself lead to citizenship. Emirati naturalisation is narrow: the ordinary rules focus on Arabs with long continuous residence, and since 2021 a nomination-only route exists for selected investors, professionals and talents. A Golden Visa, however long, remains residence.

For an expatriate, the first question is therefore what your home country says about a second nationality. Argentina allows dual and multiple nationality and does not ask you to renounce anything. But some home countries do:

  • India, China and Indonesia restrict dual nationality. Nationals of those countries risk losing their original citizenship.
  • Pakistan allows dual nationality only with countries on its approved list, and Argentina is not on that list.
  • Egypt requires prior permission to keep Egyptian nationality. See our guide for Egyptians.
  • Russia allows it, but you must notify the MVD within 60 days (counted from your next entry to Russia if you are abroad). See our guide for Russians.
  • Türkiye allows it with notification after acquisition. See our guide for Turkish citizens.
  • Ukraine allows it only with states on a government list, and we found no evidence that Argentina is on it. See our guide for Ukrainians.

Our dual citizenship guide explains the general principles. Check your own country’s law with a lawyer from that country before you apply.

What the Argentine passport adds for an expatriate

For holders of weaker passports, the gain can be large. An Argentine passport reaches about 170 destinations, including the Schengen Area (90 days in 180), the UK (with an ETA), Japan and, until 31 December 2026, China for 30 days visa-free. Argentines also enter the UAE visa-free.

The limits are the same for everyone: a US visa is still required, because Argentina is not in the Visa Waiver Program, and Canada requires a visa unless you qualify for an eTA. Our Argentine passport guide has the full picture.

Emirati nationals: a different calculation

For an Emirati, the travel case is weak. The Henley Passport Index (July 2026) places the Emirati passport second in the world, with 188 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations, against 169 for Argentina. Emiratis already enter the Schengen Area visa-free, travel to the UK with an ETA, visit Japan visa-free, and use an eTA for Canada. Both passports need a US visa.

The legal case is also delicate. GCC states, including the UAE, have traditionally not allowed their nationals to hold another nationality. The 2021 amendments to the nationality law were widely reported as allowing selected foreigners to become Emirati while keeping their own passport. We have not been able to confirm from an official UAE text, as of 2 October 2026, that an Emirati by descent may now freely acquire a foreign nationality. An Emirati considering Argentina should obtain written advice from a UAE lawyer, and if possible a view from the UAE nationality authorities, before any application.

Tax: the UAE advantage carries over

The UAE has no personal income tax. Argentine citizenship does not change that. People naturalised through investment are not treated as Argentine tax residents solely because of the naturalisation. Argentine tax residence, with worldwide taxation at progressive rates up to 35%, arises from permanent residence or 12 months on temporary authorisation.

If you keep your life in the UAE and visit Argentina occasionally, the ordinary tests are not met. If you plan to relocate, take advice first. Your home country may also have its own rules, especially if you are still its tax resident.

Both the UAE and Argentina take part in the OECD Common Reporting Standard, so assume your financial accounts are visible to the tax authority of your residence.

Compliance and documents

  • FATF: the UAE was removed from the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring in February 2024 and is not on it after the June 2026 plenary.
  • Due diligence: Argentina’s checks cover identity, the traceability and legality of funds, assets, jurisdictional risk, criminal and reputational background, and migration history, aligned with OECD and FATF standards. Expect questions on how wealth built in the UAE was earned and moved, and on any company structures in free zones.
  • Formal financial system: all funds must move through regulated channels. Cash or informal transfers will not work.
  • Documents: the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. UAE-issued documents, such as police clearance or marriage certificates, will need the UAE attestation chain and legalisation by the Argentine consulate. Documents from your home country follow that country’s rules. Allow time for both.

The programme rests on DNU 366/2025. On 18 June 2026, Chamber III of the federal civil and commercial appeals court (the Volosh case) struck down the parts of the decree that give citizenship decisions to Migraciones. On 30 June 2026 the Cámara Nacional Electoral declared the whole decree unconstitutional, and the government has appealed to the Supreme Court. The government says the decree remains in force while the case is pending. Read our legal status page before you commit funds.

Cost

Family Donation route Bond route
Single applicant US$350,000 US$800,000
Couple US$450,000 Not confirmed
Couple + 2 children under 18 US$500,000 (official example) Not confirmed

Each spouse or child aged 18–25 (single, without children) adds US$100,000; each child under 18 adds US$25,000. Press reports say the bond is held for seven years at zero interest. Fees and processing times are not yet published. See our cost guide.

Is it right for you?

Strong fit: a long-term UAE expatriate whose home country permits dual nationality and whose passport limits travel or banking. Argentina gives a permanent nationality that does not depend on a UAE visa.

Check carefully: nationals of countries that restrict dual nationality. You may be swapping one passport for another rather than adding one.

Weak fit: Emirati nationals, for whom the travel gain is negative and the nationality-law risk is real.

A private briefing can work through your own nationality, family and tax position.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Does living in the UAE affect my Argentine application?

Your residence is part of the risk picture, but the UAE is not on the FATF grey list; it was removed in February 2024. Argentina's Agency assesses jurisdictional risk, source of funds and background for every applicant, whatever their nationality or residence.

Can an Emirati national apply?

Nothing published by Argentina excludes Emiratis, but UAE nationality law has traditionally restricted Emiratis from taking a second nationality, and the 2021 reform mainly opened Emirati citizenship to selected foreigners. An Emirati should get written legal advice in the UAE before applying.

Will Argentine citizenship make me taxable in Argentina?

Not by itself. People naturalised through investment are not treated as Argentine tax residents solely because of the naturalisation. If you live in the UAE and do not take up Argentine residence, Argentina's ordinary residence tests are not met.

Can UAE documents be apostilled for Argentina?

No. The UAE does not appear among the parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so UAE-issued documents need attestation and consular legalisation instead. Documents from your home country follow that country's rules.

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