Work permits for employees in Argentina: A complete guide for employers

Hiring in Argentina? That's no surprise—Argentina is diverse and welcoming with a talented workforce. It's also more open to immigration than many countries, with somewhat lenient requirements for foreign employees to obtain work visas—another reason many global businesses see Argentina as a great place to do business.

When you hire an employee or contractor in Argentina, it's on you to make sure they have the proper work authorization. It's illegal to employ workers who aren't authorized to work in the country where they live, and running afoul of the law could result in costly fines and legal action.

So before you make your first hire in Argentina (or transfer an existing employee there), read this guide. Below, you'll learn who needs a work visa in Argentina, the process for obtaining one, and frequently asked questions about Argentinian work permits.

What is a work permit in Argentina?

In Argentina, a work permit is an official document that authorizes a foreign national to work legally in the country. It is often referred to as a "work visa" or "employment visa." The work permit is issued by the Argentine government and grants the holder the right to be employed by a specific employer or engage in a specific type of work for a designated period of time. Once that period has ended, the visa holder needs to return to their home country, renew their work visa, or become a permanent resident of Argentina.

Obtaining a work permit in Argentina typically involves a complex process that requires the collaboration of the employing company and the individual seeking employment (more on that below).

Who needs a work visa in Argentina?

For the most part, any foreign national who doesn't have citizenship or permanent residency in Argentina will need a work permit to do business within the country.

However, there are some exceptions:

• Employees from member countries of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), a South American free trade bloc. Member countries include Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Associate member countries, whose residents may have special visa considerations, include Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Guyana, Colombia, Suriname, and Ecuador.
• Those traveling to Argentina to take part in fairs or market studies.
• Participants in cultural or student exchange programs.
• Fellows and interns.
• Amateur athletes.

When you hire an employee in Argentina, make sure their offer letter or employment contract includes a clause about the offer being contingent on their eligibility to work in Argentina legally.

Hiring in Argentina? Learn how to create a compliant offer letter with our guide
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How long does it take to get a work permit in Argentina?

Getting a work visa in Argentina can be a lengthy process, involving several different steps that may take several weeks or months each. Ultimately, processing times depend on a number of factors including the applicant's country of origin, the workload of the offices processing different parts of their application, and whether their application is submitted with all the correct documents.

Types of work visas in Argentina

There are multiple different types of work visas available in Argentina, but the ones below are what you'll be most likely to encounter as an employer of foreign workers in the country.

• Temporary Residence Visa. This is the most common type of work visa issued to foreign nationals coming to work in Argentina. It applies to any foreign worker who is employed by a company in Argentina, who is transferred from their home country to an office in Argentina, residents of MERCOSUR countries who plan to stay in Argentina long-term, and investors. Temporary residence permits are issued by the National Directorate of Migration (DNM) for one-year periods and can be extended indefinitely.
• Transitory Residence Visa. This visa is for short-term assignments and business trips. It allows visitors to work in Argentina for up to 90 days. There are different types of transitory visas depending on the nature of the visitor's work—for example, technical residence visas for those who will perform short-term technical work and business visas for those who are invited to visit by an Argentine company. Transitory visas may be issued up to two times per year and cannot be extended.
• Permanent Residence Visa. This visa gives a worker the right to live and work in Argentina indefinitely. These visas are most commonly issued to workers who have already held a temporary residence visa, or those from MERCOSUR countries. Individuals whose spouses have permanent residence in Argentina may also apply for this visa.

Application process for Argentina work visas

The application process for a work visa in Argentina is long and complex. Because temporary residence visas are the most common type of visa issued to foreign workers, we'll focus on that process.

Step 1: Register to sponsor foreign nationals

The first step is to ensure that your company is authorized to hire foreign nationals. If you have your own legal entity in Argentina, you must enroll in the National Immigrant Sponsors Registrar (Registro Nacional Único de Requirentes Extranjeros or RNURE). This allows you to hire non-MERCOSUR workers from outside of Argentina.

If you use an Employer of Record service in Argentina, they may not have this authorization. Be sure to check with your EOR service to find out whether you're authorized to sponsor foreign nationals in Argentina.

Rippling EOR makes it easy to hire compliantly in Argentina—without setting up your own legal entity. Learn more about hiring in Argentina with Rippling EOR

Required documents:

• Proof of your company's legal address
• Completed proof of legal status of registration with Argentine authorities
• Statute or Social Contract legally registered with the General Inspection of Justice (IGJ)
• Proof of registration with the tax system with the Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP)
• ID card and proof of authorizing power for any company representative handling hiring or immigration procedures
• Accredited designation of an applicant as a delegate of the organization

Step 2: Gather all the necessary documents

Next, the prospective employee needs to gather their documentation to prepare to apply for their work visa. They should provide legal copies of all their documents to their prospective employer in Argentina.

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Criminal record/police clearance
• Domicile records in Argentina
• Copy of corporate tax document
• Copy of corporate registration certificate of the company

All documents must be translated into Spanish and legalized via the Argentine Sworn Translators Association.

Step 3: Obtain an entry permit

Before a prospective employee can apply for a work visa in Argentina, they need to be granted an entry permit—and only their employer can start the process of obtaining one.

You'll need to provide the necessary documents for each foreign employee you wish to hire to the Argentine Immigration Department (Direccion Nacional de Migraciones or DNM).

Required documents:

• Entry permit application
• All supporting documents provided by the employee in Step 2

Entry permit application
All supporting documents provided by the employee in Step 2

Step 4: Apply for a Temporary Residence Visa

Once an entry permit is issued, all the application materials are sent to the closest Argentine consulate in the employee's home country, where they can continue the process and apply for their work visa. They can also apply from within Argentina if they choose to.

After submitting their visa application, the applicant will need to appear in person for a consular interview. Once they're cleared, they will receive both their entry permit and their work visa at the same time.

At this stage, applicants must also pay a reciprocity fee (which varies based on their home country), which allows them multiple entries into Argentina during the visa application process.

Required documents:

• Passport with at least six months of validity
• Flight ticket
• Evidence of funds for stay in Argentina
• Documentation of the address where they will be staying in Argentina
• Receipt for reciprocity fee

Step 5: Apply for a Work Identification Number and National Identity Card

Once an employee receives their visa and arrives in Argentina, they need to apply for a Work ID number (Código Único de Identificación Laboral or CUIL) and National ID card (Documento Nacional de Identidad or DNI).

The employee's CUIL serves as their tax ID number so their employer can withhold taxes from their pay. Either the employee or their employer can apply for their CUIL, online through the National Social Security Administration (Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social or ANSES), at the National Registry of People in Buenos Aires, or by phone.

The employee's DNI is similar to a social security number, and is required to rent or purchase property, open a bank account, and more. To obtain their DNI, the employee must register with the local population office (Registro Nacional de las Personas) within 90 days of arriving in Argentina.

Required documents:

• Proof of address
• Certificate of residence issued by the DNM
• Original birth certificate, legalized in the country of origin
• DNI or driving license if a permanent resident
• Entry permit issued by the Argentine consulate
• National Population and Migration Certificate (Certificado Nacional de Población y Migraciones)

Rippling can connect you with immigration services to help you sponsor work visas around the world.
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Frequently asked questions about work permits for employees in Argentina

Can foreign workers get their own work visas for Argentina?

No. They must have an offer of employment from an Argentine employer. The employer must be registered to sponsor foreign workers and needs to initiate certain parts of the visa application process on behalf of the applicant.

Do US citizens need a work permit to work in Argentina?

In most cases, yes. US citizens need a work permit to work in Argentina, even on short-term business visits or intra-company transfers. There are a few exceptions for certain types of workers:

• Those traveling to Argentina to take part in fairs or market studies
• Participants in cultural or student exchange programs
• Fellows and interns
• Amateur athletes

What documents are required to apply for an Argentina work permit?

Many documents must be provided by both the employer and the applicant throughout the process of applying for an Argentine work permit. See the visa application process above for more details on which documents are needed at which step.

Employers must provide:

• Proof of your company's legal address
• Completed proof of legal status of registration with Argentine authorities
• Statute or Social Contract legally registered with the General Inspection of Justice (IGJ)
• Proof of registration with the tax system with the Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP)
• ID card and proof of authorizing power for any company representative handling hiring or immigration procedures
• Accredited designation of an applicant as a delegate of the organization
• Copy of corporate tax document
• Copy of corporate registration certificate of the company
• Entry permit application form
• Valid work contract signed by both parties

Employees must provide:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Affidavit showing they don't have an international police record
• Certificate of good conduct
• Domicile records in Argentina
• Valid passport
• Flight ticket
• Evidence of funds for stay in Argentina
• Documentation of the address where they will be staying in Argentina
• Receipt for reciprocity fee

What’s the fastest way to get a work permit in Argentina?

Unfortunately, work visa processing can take a while, since there are different processing times for each step of the application process. There's no way to speed up processing, but you can reduce overall time by having employees obtain their work visas from inside Argentina, which takes less time overall.

Employees can also apply for an interim permit that allows them to work in Argentina while their work permit application is in processing.

How much does it cost to get an Argentina work permit?

The cost of a work permit in Argentina varies. Fees are based on the applicant's home country.

Are family members included in work visa applications in Argentina?

Family members are not included on the same work permit, but they can apply for dependent visas at the same time the employee is applying for a work visa.

How do you renew your Argentine work permit?

A temporary residence visa can be renewed each year for an additional year.

Is there a limit on the number of work permits you can obtain in Argentina?

It depends on the type of work visa. For temporary residence visas, there's no limit—employees can renew them yearly and stay in Argentina for as long as they work for a company that sponsors their visa. After living and working in Argentina for at least three years, they can apply for permanent residence, which allows them to continue working without a work visa.

Hire and set up employees in Argentina with Rippling

Whether you’re an Argentine employer or based overseas, Rippling can help you hire, onboard, and set up employees in Argentina within minutes.

• Onboard employees and contractors in 90 seconds.
• Sponsor work visas in Argentina with Rippling’s immigration services, backed by top-tier legal advisers.
• Manage HR, IT, and Finance in one unified system.

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Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.